How to Reset a WordPress Site with or without a Plugin

It may seem like a big deal to reset a WordPress site, but sometimes it’s just what you need. If you need to clean up after a failed project, start over, or fix a broken site, hitting the reset button can be the easiest way to move on.

We’ll show you the right way to reset your WordPress site in this guide. You’ll learn the best practices, what to avoid, and how to secure your site. Don’t worry if you’re not very tech-savvy; each step is easy to understand and follow.

Why You Might Need to Reset a WordPress Site

There are many reasons to reset a WordPress site, but most of them involve starting over. Some of the most common ones are

• Too much clutter: You might have tried out a lot of themes and plugins, and now the site is a mess. A reset clears everything at once instead of deleting each item one at a time.
• You’re beginning again: A reset saves you time if you want to change your niche, rebrand, or just start over with your site.
• Fixing a broken site: Sometimes things go wrong, like when plugins don’t work together, your design breaks, or worse, your site gets hacked. A reset can help you clean up and start over safely.
• Working in a staging or test environment: Developers and designers often use resets to quickly start over when they are building or testing new features.

It’s like cleaning off a messy desk so you can work without all the junk in the way.

Before You Begin: Preparation Steps

Get ready before you reset your site. A few simple steps now can save you a lot of stress later.

1. Make a copy of your site

This step isn’t optional. The old content is gone for good after you reset your site. You can either use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator, or you can back up your site manually through your hosting panel. Be sure to save:

• The database
• Your files (media uploads, themes, plugins)

That way, if something goes wrong or you change your mind, you can get everything back.

2. Choose what to keep

Certain reset methods allow you to retain specific items, such as your admin account, media files, or theme settings. Before you hit reset, think about what you really want to keep. If you use a reset plugin like WP Reset, it’ll give you options for this.

3. Choose your way

Do you want a quick, easy reset with a plugin, or more control by doing it manually? We’ll talk about both methods.

Once you’ve backed up and prepared, you can move forward confidently, no guesswork needed

Method 1: Reset a WordPress site Using a Plugin

Using a plugin is the easiest way to reset your WordPress site. You don’t have to go through files or databases; just a few clicks will do.

Step 1: Download and install WP Reset

To find WP Reset, go to your WordPress dashboard and click on Plugins > Add New. Like any other plugin, you need to install and activate it.

Step 2: Make a Snapshot (not required, but smart)

WP Reset lets you take a snapshot before you reset anything. This is like a backup copy of your site’s current state. You can go back if you change your mind later.

Step 3: Reset the site

• In the WP Reset dashboard, scroll down until you see the Site Reset section.
• To confirm, type the word “reset” in the box and then click the red Reset Site button.

That’s all. Your site will refresh, and you’ll be logged back in using your existing admin account. The default theme will be on, and all of your plugins and content will be gone.

Bonus: Options for Partial Reset

You can also do the following with WP Reset:

• Delete only themes, plugins, or media
• Keep specific users or data
• Clean your database without wiping the whole site

It’s quick, adaptable, and great for people who are just starting out.

Method 2: Manual Reset Without a Plugin

Want to do things the old-fashioned way? You’ll have more control with a manual reset, but it requires more steps and access to your hosting panel or FTP.

Step 1: Get rid of the database

• Open phpMyAdmin (or cPanel > MySQL Databases) after logging in to your hosting account.
• Locate your current WordPress database and remove it.
• Now, create a new database with the same name, username, and password as the old one.

Step 2: Delete the Files on the Site

• You can use an FTP client like FileZilla or the File Manager in cPanel.
• Go to the public_html folder or wherever your WordPress files are stored.
• Remove everything, including themes, plugins, uploads, core files, and any remaining files.

Step 3: Get a new copy of WordPress and install it.

• Get the most recent version of WordPress from wordpress.org.
• Upload the files using File Manager or FTP
• To complete the setup, visit your site in a browser and follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 3: Multisite Reset (If Applicable)

Resetting a WordPress Multisite network works a little differently. You can’t reset the whole network at once. You have two choices instead:

Option 1: Reset Each Subsite Separately

On the subsite you want to reset, install WP Reset. Activate it only for that site, not the entire network, and follow the standard plugin reset steps.

Option 2: Make a new network from scratch

To completely erase your Multisite network, you need to:

• Remove the main database
• Delete all the files on the site
• Start over by reinstalling WordPress and turning on Multisite again.

Before making any big changes, make sure to back up all the sites in the network because multisite resets can be complex.

What to Do After the Reset

What do you do now that your site is empty?

1. Install your plugins and theme again.

First, install your theme and any necessary plugins. Turn them on manually.

2. Set up basic settings for your site.

Update your site title, tagline, and time zone by going to Settings > General.

Then go to Settings > Permalinks and pick the URL structure you want. Most people choose “Post name.”

3. If you need to, re-upload the content.

If you created a backup or snapshot, now’s the time to restore any content you want to keep

4. Do updates.

Make sure WordPress core, themes, and plugins are updated to avoid compatibility issues.

When Not to Reset WordPress

Resetting isn’t always the best option. Here are some times when you might want to wait:

1. You just need to change the theme: You can change themes at any time without having to start over.
2. You want to get rid of some posts or pages: You don’t have to wipe the whole site; just delete the ones you don’t want.
3. If you’re changing hosts or domains, use a migration plugin or get help from your host instead. Resetting will not move your content; it will erase it.
4. You haven’t made a backup of your site: If you reset without a backup, you could lose your data for good.

If you’re not sure, start with something small. Most WordPress sites have between 18 and 25 plugins, and having that many tools can slow things down or cause problems. You should only use resetting as a last resort because it is a powerful tool.

Conclusion

Resetting a WordPress site may seem like a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be. The process is easy and completely safe if you have the right tools and a good backup. It’s important to plan ahead, whether you use a plugin like WP Reset or do it by hand for more control.

After you reset your site, you’ll have a clean slate to work from. It’s a great chance to start over with a clearer goal, better tools, and an easier setup. Take a deep breath, follow the steps, and enjoy the new beginning. Your next version is coming soon.