Disabling Gutenberg
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems on the web, and it comes with a powerful block editor called Gutenberg. While the Gutenberg editor is a significant improvement over the classic editor, some users may prefer to disable it for various reasons.
In this post, I will explain three different methods for disabling the Gutenberg editor in WordPress, including installing the Classic Editor plugin, using a third-party Disable Gutenberg plugin, and modifying your theme’s functions.php file. I will provide detailed instructions for each method and include links to relevant resources to help you make an informed decision about whether to disable the Gutenberg editor on your WordPress website.
Three Ways to Disable Gutenberg
Disabling the Gutenberg editor in WordPress can be done through a few different methods, which I will explain in detail below:
Install the Classic Editor Plugin:
The Classic Editor plugin is an official WordPress plugin that allows you to switch back to the old editor. You can find it by searching for “Classic Editor” in the WordPress plugin repository or by visiting this link: https://wordpress.org/plugins/classic-editor/
To install the Classic Editor plugin, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on “Plugins” in the left-hand menu, then click “Add New”.
- Search for “Classic Editor” in the search bar.
- Click “Install Now” next to the Classic Editor plugin.
- Once the plugin is installed, click “Activate” to activate the plugin.
Once the Classic Editor plugin is installed and activated, it will disable the Gutenberg editor and bring back the Classic Editor.
Use a Disable Gutenberg Plugin:
There are several third-party plugins available that specifically disable the Gutenberg editor. One such plugin is called “Disable Gutenberg”. You can find it by searching for “Disable Gutenberg” in the WordPress plugin repository or by visiting this link: https://wordpress.org/plugins/disable-gutenberg/
To install and activate the Disable Gutenberg plugin, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on “Plugins” in the left-hand menu, then click “Add New”.
- Search for “Disable Gutenberg” in the search bar.
- Click “Install Now” next to the Disable Gutenberg plugin.
- Once the plugin is installed, click “Activate” to activate the plugin.
Once the Disable Gutenberg plugin is activated, it will disable the Gutenberg editor.
Modify Your Theme’s Functions.php File:
You can also disable the Gutenberg editor by modifying your theme’s functions.php file. Here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on “Appearance” in the left-hand menu, then click “Theme Editor”.
- In the right-hand menu, click on “Theme Functions (functions.php)”.
- Scroll down to the end of the file, and add the following code:
// Disable Gutenberg editor
add_filter('use_block_editor_for_post', '__return_false', 10);
- Click “Update File” to save the changes.
Note that if you use this method, you will need to update your theme’s functions.php file every time you switch to a new theme.
In Summary
Disabling the Gutenberg editor in WordPress is possible through various methods, including installing the Classic Editor plugin, using a third-party Disable Gutenberg plugin, or modifying your theme’s functions.php file.
While disabling the editor may be necessary for some users, it’s worth noting that the Gutenberg editor is actively developed and supported, and disabling it may result in missing out on new features and improvements.
Ultimately, whether to disable the Gutenberg editor depends on your specific needs and preferences, and these methods provide flexibility for users to make the decision that best suits their website.
