Not all the plugins come with an option to delete all the settings they created during installation. That’s the reason it’s recommended to use the properly-coded plugins.
In the last couple of years, people have started using WordPress to a greater extent, and it’s necessary for them to understand this concept.
Now, you may be feeling a little bit of scared because the term database sounds technical. Well, it is but you can quickly delete the database tables.
You need to use the cPanel of your web hosting. I will walk you through this process.
Special Note: If you are concerned about making any technical changes to your WP configuration, you should consider a managed WordPress hosting plan. Managed WP plans are offered by most top hosting providers. You will also find the leading providers on the Best WordPress Hosting page offer such plans.
Use phpMyAdmin to Drop the Extra Database Tables Created by Plugins
Most of the people ignore it and complain about having the poor website speed. It’s important to know that when you uninstall any WordPress plugin, it’s may leave its tables in the database.
As I have mentioned earlier, when you install a WordPress plugin, depending on its functionality, it adds the tables to the database.
If it has the built-in options to delete all the settings while uninstallation, congrats, you have an excellent plugin. But most of them don’t.
You have to do it manually. For which, phpMyAdmin access is required.
NOTE: Before you start, it’s important to download the backup of the database. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Step 1
It will have a phpMyAdmin icon. Click on this icon to open it.
If you don’t see the same icon, no need to worry. Depending on the web hosting you use, you can easily find this option.
Step 2
You have to click on the database your website is using. I hope you know it. If you don’t, you have to go back and open the MySQL Wizard to see it. It will show you all the available databases.
Step 3
At the left-side menu as well as in the main box.
You should know that “wp_†is the default WordPress database table prefix. You will see many tables in which some are the default tables whereas others are created by the plugins you have installed.
Step 4
In this example, I am showing you the database tables created by a membership plugin. You can easily find such tables if you know the plugin’s name.
Once you do that, to delete these extra tables, you have to click on the drop link or the minus sign. It will permanently delete those database tables.
It means your database will be free from the extra tables which were increasing its size.
This is the final step but it’s really important to check your website’s database if it’s working fine. For which, you have to check and repair the database tables.
Step 5
Click on >Check Table and within a second, you will see the query running and its results too. If it’s green, you don’t need to worry.
But if you see any query in the red color, you have to repair it.
Step 6
Now check your website, if it’s running correctly, you have done a great job.
If you see that it’s broken, you can always restore your database from its backup.
Now and then, it’s recommended that you should have a clear insight into the performance of your website. Most of the WordPress users struggle to understand that the database plays a crucial role.
Just to let you know, a few database optimization plugins can also remove these extra database tables to keep the size minimum as possible.
But nothing is better than doing it manually. It’s because the plugins might not be able to detect the database tables created by the old plugins. But still, you can use WP Sweep for optimizing your website’s database.
Once in a while, you should check for such extra tables in the database. If you want to test any plugin, it’s recommended to test it on the local WordPress installation.
As you know, you can install WordPress on your computer using XAMPP, WAMP or WAMP. These are free software to create a local server.
Was that Hard to Delete the Database Tables
Many people complain that WordPress is tough to manage. Well, if you start Many people complain that WordPress is tough to manage. Well, if you start learning, it’s one of the easiest platforms you have ever have.
In the last couple of years, people have started loving it a lot. And when it comes to the website’s optimization, you should never forget the database.
As mentioned earlier, you should keep an eye on its tables whenever you install or uninstall any new plugin. I hope you can quickly delete the database tables when uninstalling a plugin.
If you still have any doubt, feel free to contact us. You can drop a comment to let us know how you felt about it and what kind of problem you think you can face.
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