Delete a WordPress Theme in Three Ways

What is a theme?

A theme controls how your WordPress site looks. It sets colours, fonts and layout. Old themes you do not use still sit on your server. They can go out of date and become a risk. It is wise to remove them.

Way 1: Use the dashboard

The dashboard is the control room you see after you log in.

1. Log in to WordPress.
2. Click Appearance, then Themes.
3. Activate a different theme if the one you want to delete is active.
4. Click the theme you want to remove.

   

5. Click Delete at the bottom right of the pop-up.
6. Click OK to confirm.

Way 2: Use the File Manager

The File Manager is a tool in your hosting control panel. It lets you see and manage your site files in the browser. Your welcome email explains how to log in to the control panel.

1. Log in to your hosting control panel.

   

2. Open File Manager.
3. Open the public_html folder. Your site may be in a sub-folder.
4. Open wp-content, then themes.
5. Right-click the folder of the theme you want to remove.

   

   

   

   

6. Choose Delete and confirm.

Way 3: Use FTP

FTP is a way to move files between your computer and your hosting account with a program such as FileZilla. Your FTP details are in your welcome email.

1. Open your FTP program and connect.
2. Go to wp-content/themes in your site folder.
3. Find the folder with the theme name.

   

4. Right-click it and choose Delete.
5. Confirm.

After you delete

1. Open your site in a new tab.
2. Check that the pages still look right.
3. Go to Appearance, then Themes to see the new list.

   

Quick recap

• Back up first.
• Switch to another theme before you delete the active one.
• Delete from the dashboard, the File Manager or FTP.
• Keep one default theme as a safety net.