How to Fix Plugins Disappearing From WordPress Dashboard

Have your plugins been playing Houdini in your WordPress dashboard? That’s certainly frustrating! In this article, you’ll learn why this happens, as well as how to fix plugins disappearing from the WordPress Dashboard.

There are several reasons why plugins might disappear from the WordPress dashboard. Here’s a detailed look at each possible cause:

• User Permissions

• Plugin Deactivation

• Plugin Removal

• Plugin Directory Issues

• Database Issues

• Theme or Plugin Conflicts

• File Permission Issues

• WordPress Updates

• Malware or Security Issues

• Caching Issues

User Permissions

If your user role does not have the appropriate permissions to view or manage plugins, they may not appear in the dashboard. For example, if you are logged in as a user with limited capabilities (like a Contributor or Author), you might not have access to the Plugins menu. Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator or a user with sufficient privileges.

Plugin Deactivation

If the plugin was manually deactivated through the dashboard or by changing the status in the database, it will no longer appear in the list of active plugins. Plugins can also be automatically deactivated due to compatibility issues, PHP errors, or conflicts with other plugins.

Plugin Removal

If a plugin has been uninstalled, it will disappear from the dashboard. Uninstalling a plugin removes its files and data from the system, so it will no longer appear in the list of plugins.

Plugin Directory Issues

If the plugin’s directory or files are deleted or corrupted, the plugin may no longer appear in the dashboard. This can happen due to file system issues, incomplete updates, or manual file changes.

Database Issues

Problems with the WordPress database can cause plugins to disappear from the dashboard. Corrupted tables or issues with the wp_options table (where plugin data is stored) can lead to missing plugin entries. Additionally, if the table prefix in the database is changed and not updated in the wp-config.php file, WordPress may not be able to find the plugin data.

Theme or Plugin Conflicts

Sometimes, conflicts between plugins or themes can cause issues with the WordPress dashboard, including hiding plugins. Deactivating other plugins or switching to a default theme can help identify conflicts.

File Permission Issues

WordPress needs proper file permissions to access and display plugin files. If permissions are set incorrectly, it might cause the plugins to disappear from the dashboard. Check the file permissions for the wp-content/plugins directory.

WordPress Updates

During or after a WordPress update, issues can arise that affect plugin visibility. Sometimes, updates may not complete properly, or there could be compatibility issues with the new version.

Malware or Security Issues

Malware or security breaches can manipulate or remove plugins from the dashboard. Regular updates scans and monitoring can help detect and resolve such issues.

Caching Issues

Sometimes, browser or server caching can cause outdated versions of the dashboard to be displayed. Clearing your browser cache or any server-side cache might resolve this issue.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing plugins that have disappeared from the WordPress dashboard:

1. Check User Permissions

2. Verify Plugin Activation

3. Check File and Directory Integrity

4. Inspect Database Tables

5. Identify and Resolve Plugin or Theme Conflicts

6. Check File Permissions

7. Update WordPress and Plugins

8. Scan for Malware or Security Issues

9. Clear Caches

10. Review WordPress Debug Logs

Step 1. Check User Permissions

1. Log In with an Admin Account

2. Review User Roles

Log In with an Admin Account

Ensure you are logged in as an Administrator or a user with sufficient permissions. Go to the Users section in the dashboard to verify your role and capabilities.

Review User Roles

Confirm that your user role has the capability to manage plugins. You may need to update your role or permissions if you are not an Administrator.

Step 2. Verify Plugin Activation

As a precaution, you may want to try activating a plugin to make sure that works, before troubleshooting further.

1. Navigate to the Plugins Page

2. Reactivate or Reinstall

Navigate to the Plugins Page

Go to the “Plugins” section in the WordPress dashboard. Check if the plugin is listed as inactive or missing entirely.

Reactivate or Reinstall

If the plugin is deactivated, reactivate it by clicking the “Activate” link. If it’s not listed, try reinstalling the plugin by downloading it again and uploading it via the “Add New” button.

Step 3. Check File and Directory Integrity

Sometimes things like file corruption happen, so it’s important to use the following steps to check file integrity:

1. Access File Manager or FTP

2. Restore Missing Files

Access File Manager or FTP

Use a file manager or FTP client (example: FileZilla) to navigate to the wp-content/plugins directory on your server. Verify that the plugin’s directory and files are present.

Restore Missing Files

If the plugin’s directory is missing, restore it from a backup or download a fresh copy from the WordPress repository. Ensure that all files and folders are correctly placed.

Step 4. Inspect Database Tables

In some cases, the plugins disappearing from your WordPress dashboard may be a database issue, so here’s a few steps to troubleshoot if it might be that:

1. Access Your Database

2. Repair and Optimize

Access Your Database

Use phpMyAdmin or a similar database management tool to access your WordPress database. Check the wp_options table for any anomalies or missing plugin entries.

Repair and Optimize

If you find issues, you can attempt to repair the database tables. Some plugins or tools can help with database repair and optimization.

Step 5. Identify and Resolve Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Sometimes the problem with plugins disappearing from the WordPress dashboard could be a plugin or theme conflict. Here’s a few steps to troubleshoot this type of conflict:

1. Deactivate All Plugins

2. Switch Themes

Deactivate All Plugins

Temporarily deactivate all plugins to see if the missing plugin reappears. If it does, reactivate them one by one to identify any conflicts.

Switch Themes

Change to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) to rule out theme conflicts. If the plugin reappears, the issue might be with your current theme.

Step 6. Check File Permissions

If you’re still stumped by this step, have you checked file permissions? Here’s the steps to check file permissions:

1. Verify Permissions Settings

2. Adjust Permissions

Verify Permissions Settings

Ensure that the wp-content/plugins directory and its files have the correct permissions. Typically, directories should be set to 755 and files to 644.

Adjust Permissions

Use your file manager or FTP client to adjust the permissions if they are incorrect. This ensures that WordPress can read and write the necessary files.

Step 7. Update WordPress and Plugins

If WordPress or your plugins aren’t up-to-date, you could run into problems like the plugins disappearing from the WordPress dashboard. Here’s some tips for this step:

1. Check for Updates

2. Apply Updates

Check for Updates

Go to the Dashboard > Updates section in the left-side navigation to see if there are any pending updates for WordPress, plugins, or themes. Keeping everything up to date can resolve compatibility issues.

Apply Updates

Install any available updates and check if the missing plugin reappears. Sometimes, updates can fix bugs that cause plugins to disappear.

Step 8. Scan for Malware or Security Issues

1. Run a Security Scan

2. Remove Threats

Run a Security Scan

Use a security plugin or service to scan your WordPress site for malware or other security issues. Malicious code can sometimes hide or remove plugins. A deep malware scanning plugin like GOTMLS can help pinpoint infected files.

Remove Threats

If malware or security issues are detected, follow the recommended steps to clean your site. Consider consulting a security expert if necessary.

Step 9. Clear Caches

Got a stubborn browser or cache? Here’s some ti[s on how to clear both:

1. Clear Browser Cache

2. Clear Server Cache

Clear Browser Cache

Sometimes, the issue might be related to your browser’s cache. Clear your browser cache and cookies and then refresh the WordPress dashboard.

Clear Server Cache

If you are using a caching plugin or server-side caching, clear those caches as well. This ensures that you are seeing the most up-to-date version of your dashboard.

Step 10. Review WordPress Debug Logs

Sometimes if your server logs have a lot of errors or they are just large files, your site could run into some issues, including the plugins disappearing. Here’s some steps to reviewing WordPress debug logs:

1. Enable Debugging

2. Check Debug Logs

Enable Debugging

Edit your wp-config.php file to enable debugging by adding define('WP_DEBUG', true);. This can help you identify any errors related to plugin visibility.

Check Debug Logs

Review the debug logs to see if any errors or warnings are related to the missing plugin. Address any issues that appear in the logs.

By carefully following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the issue of plugins disappearing from your WordPress dashboard. As a last reminder, before taking on these troubleshooting steps, backup your site before making any permanent changes.