How to Forcefully Update or Reinstall a WordPress Plugin

🔄 How to Forcefully Update or Reinstall a WordPress Plugin

Sometimes WordPress plugins become corrupted, behave incorrectly after an update, or fail to update entirely. In such cases, a forced update or reinstallation is required to restore proper functionality.

There are three main methods to forcefully update or reinstall a plugin:

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✅ Method 1: Reinstall via the WordPress Dashboard (Manual Upload)

This method is ideal if you have the plugin’s ZIP file or if it’s available from the WordPress plugin repository.

Step 1: Delete the Plugin

• Log into your WordPress admin area

• Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins

• Deactivate the plugin you want to reinstall

• Click Delete to remove it completely

Note: This will remove the plugin’s files but not its data or settings, unless specified by the plugin author.

Step 2: Reinstall the Plugin

Option A: From WordPress Repository

• Go to Plugins > Add New

• Search for the plugin name

• Click Install Now, then Activate

Option B: From ZIP File

• Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin

• Click Choose File and select the plugin ZIP from your computer

• Click Install Now, then Activate Plugin

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💻 Method 2: Reinstall via FTP or File Manager (Force Overwrite)

Use this method if you cannot access the WordPress dashboard or want to manually overwrite plugin files.

Step 1: Download the Plugin ZIP File

• Get the latest version of the plugin from the WordPress repository or developer’s site

Step 2: Extract the ZIP File Locally

• Use a tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip to extract the plugin folder on your computer

Step 3: Connect via FTP or File Manager

• Use an FTP client like FileZilla, or open File Manager in cPanel

• Navigate to wp-content/plugins/

Step 4: Replace the Plugin Folder

• Delete the old plugin folder (e.g. wp-content/plugins/plugin-name)

• Upload the new version of the plugin folder in its place

Step 5: Reactivate the Plugin

• Return to your WordPress dashboard

• Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins

• Click Activate next to the plugin

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🔧 Method 3: Use WP-CLI to Reinstall a Plugin (Advanced Users)

If you have command line access to your server, you can use WP-CLI to reinstall the plugin quickly.

Step 1: Connect to Your Server

• Use SSH to log into your server

Step 2: Run WP-CLI Commands

To reinstall a plugin:

Example:

This command will download the latest version and overwrite the current one, even if it’s already installed.

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⚠️ Important Notes

• Always backup your site before deleting or overwriting any plugins

• Some plugins store critical settings or user data – check the plugin documentation to understand what is retained or lost upon reinstallation

• For commercial plugins, make sure you retain your license key and download the ZIP file from your account dashboard

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✅ Summary

Force-reinstalling a plugin is a great way to fix plugin-related errors, file corruption, or update issues. Use the method best suited to your access level and server environment.