How to uninstall a plugin

Backing out a plugin

Uninstalling a plugin is harder than installing one; there are no two ways around it.

Reading the instructions

Plugins often have their own uninstall instructions. When this is the case, follow the instructions.

Otherwise, keep reading.

Basic Steps

  1. If you have a backup from before you did the installation, simply restore the backup. If you don’t - well, now you see the importance of creating a backup.

  2. Remove any NEW files that you added in the process of installing the plugin. A NEW file is a file that doesn’t exist in the default distribution of Zen Cart. These files can simply be deleted.

  3. Remove any modifications to EXISTING files that you performed as part of installing the plugin. A plugin might modify a core file (part of the default distribution of Zen Cart) or a template file (a file you have put in one of your template folders as an override). These changes will need to be removed.

  4. Undo any changes to the database. Ideally there will be an uninstall script. THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PHASE OF THE PROCESS, so be sure you make a backup first.

  5. If you need help during this process, post to the support thread for the plugin. This can be found on the plugin’s page in the Plugins Library.

Too Much?

If this sounds like too much for you, the best route is to go onto the Zen Cart Commercial Help Wanted forum and hire a pro.




Still have questions? Use the Search box in the upper right, or try the full list of FAQs. If you can't find it there, head over to the Zen Cart support forum and ask there in the appropriate subforum. In your post, please include your Zen Cart and PHP versions, and a link to your site.

Is there an error or omission on this page? Please post to General Questions on the support forum. Or, if you'd like to open a pull request, just review the guidelines and get started. You can even PR right here.
Last modified July 15, 2020 by Scott C Wilson (520cc2b).