How to Install and Manage Plugins in WordPress

Plugins

October 28, 2025

How to Install and Manage Plugins in WordPress

Plugins are one of WordPress’s most powerful features — they extend your site’s functionality without requiring code. Whether you want to add SEO tools, contact forms, or caching, plugins make it possible. This guide walks you through how to install, activate, update, and manage plugins safely.

What Are WordPress Plugins?

A plugin is a package of PHP, JavaScript, and CSS files that adds new features to WordPress. Examples include:

Yoast SEO — Optimize your content for search engines.
WPForms — Create contact forms visually.
W3 Total Cache — Improve performance with caching.
WooCommerce — Turn WordPress into a full eCommerce platform.

How to Install a Plugin (From the Dashboard)

The easiest way to install plugins is from the WordPress admin panel. Follow these steps:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Go to Plugins → Add New.
Search for a plugin by name or keyword, e.g. “contact form.”
Click Install Now on the plugin you want.
After installation, click Activate to enable it.

Once activated, the plugin becomes part of your site — most add their own menu items or settings pages.

Example: Installing “Classic Editor”

Dashboard → Plugins → Add New → Search “Classic Editor”
→ Click “Install Now” → Click “Activate”

WordPress will automatically download the plugin from the official directory (wordpress.org/plugins).

Installing a Plugin Manually (Upload .zip File)

If you purchased a premium plugin or downloaded one manually, install it using the upload feature:

Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
Click Choose File and select the plugin’s .zip file from your computer.
Click Install Now, then Activate after installation.

Alternatively, you can upload via FTP (see below).

Install via FTP (Advanced)

# 1. Unzip the plugin
# 2. Upload it to your server
/path-to-wordpress/wp-content/plugins/my-plugin/
# 3. Activate it from Dashboard → Plugins

How to Manage Plugins

1) View Installed Plugins

Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins to see all your plugins. You can:

Activate or deactivate plugins
Delete unused plugins
See version numbers and updates

2) Update Plugins

Keeping plugins updated is critical for security and compatibility.

Go to Dashboard → Updates or Plugins → Installed Plugins.
Click Update Now under each plugin that has an update available.

For bulk updates, select multiple plugins and choose Update from the dropdown menu.

3) Enable Auto-Updates

WordPress lets you automatically update specific plugins:

Plugins → Installed Plugins → Click “Enable auto-updates” next to the plugin

Auto-updates ensure your plugins stay current, but monitor them regularly to catch compatibility issues.

4) Deactivate or Delete Plugins

If you no longer need a plugin:

Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
Click Deactivate under the plugin name.
Once deactivated, click Delete to remove it completely.

Deleting unused plugins keeps your site lean and reduces security risks.

How to Safely Test Plugins

Use a staging site: Test new plugins on a clone of your live site.
Check reviews & updates: Avoid plugins that haven’t been updated for over a year.
Install one at a time: Prevent conflicts and easier troubleshooting.
Take backups: Always backup before installing or updating plugins.

Troubleshooting Common Plugin Issues

White Screen of Death (Fatal Error)

Deactivate the faulty plugin via FTP:

# Rename the plugin’s folder
/wp-content/plugins/problem-plugin/ → /wp-content/plugins/problem-plugin-disabled/

This disables the plugin immediately, letting you regain access to your dashboard.

Site Slows Down After Plugin Install

Deactivate the plugin and check performance again.
Use tools like Query Monitor or GTmetrix to find heavy scripts.
Replace bloated plugins with lightweight alternatives.

Recommended Best Practices

✅ Keep plugins updated.
✅ Delete inactive plugins entirely (not just deactivate).
✅ Limit plugins to essentials (15–20 max is a good rule of thumb).
✅ Prefer plugins from trusted sources (WordPress.org or reputable developers).
✅ Always back up before installing or updating plugins.

Example: Installing a Security & Optimization Stack

Here’s a well-balanced set of plugins for most sites:

Wordfence Security — Firewall and malware scanner.
UpdraftPlus — Automated backups to Google Drive or Dropbox.
LiteSpeed Cache (or W3 Total Cache) — Performance optimization.
Rank Math SEO — SEO optimization and schema.
WPForms Lite — Contact form builder.

Conclusion

Plugins are the backbone of WordPress customization. By learning how to install, activate, and manage them properly, you’ll keep your site fast, secure, and flexible. Remember to update regularly, remove what you don’t use, and always choose well-supported plugins from reputable developers.

Keep your plugin list clean — fewer, better, and up-to-date.

🔌 Looking for more? Check out our WordPress Plugins Hub to discover recommended tools and how to use them.