I cannot access the backend of WordPress

If WordPress admin will not load, recover the site from Staq Panel. You do not need wp-admin first. The fastest fix is Force Deactivate on the plugin that broke the site.

Open Plugins

1. Open the website in Staq Panel.
2. Go to Files.
3. Click Plugins. Use Themes only if you need to switch the theme. Themes do not have Force Deactivate.

Force deactivate the plugin

Find the plugin you suspect. Open the row Actions menu. Click Force Deactivate. Confirm Force Deactivate.

This turns the plugin off even when WordPress would block a normal deactivate. Then use 1-Click Login to open wp-admin again.

Rename a plugin folder

If you do not know which plugin failed, or Force Deactivate is not available, rename the plugin folder.

1. Go to Files, then File Manager.
2. Open wp-content/plugins.
3. Rename the suspected folder, for example akismet to akismet1.

Try 1-Click Login. If WordPress loads, that folder was the problem. Rename it back after you fix or replace the plugin. See how to edit plugins and themes in File Manager.

Secure FTP

Use Secure FTP when you want a desktop client such as FileZilla. Details load on the page. There is no Retrieve Connection Details button.

1. Go to Files, then Secure FTP.
2. Copy Host, Port, Username, and Password.
3. In the client, choose SFTP. Plain FTP is not supported.

Then open wordpress/wp-content/plugins or wordpress/wp-content/themes and rename the folder as above.

FAQ

Why can’t I open wp-admin?

A PHP fatal error, a bad plugin, or a theme conflict often returns a white screen or a critical error. Staq Panel still reaches the site files and the plugin list while WordPress admin is down.

Where did the Management column go?

Older Staq Panel builds had a Management column with Website or Global and a Force Deactivation item in that dropdown. Current Staq Panel puts Force Deactivate in the plugin row Actions menu. Plugin source still shows as badges on the name, such as Managed or Global.

Can I force deactivate a theme?

No. Force Deactivate is a plugin action. For a broken theme, switch to another installed theme on Files → Themes, or rename that theme folder in File Manager or Secure FTP.

When is Force Deactivate unavailable?

The plugin must be installed and Active. Required plugins can be force deactivated only by a platform admin. If the action is disabled, use File Manager or Secure FTP to rename the folder.

Should I rename the whole plugins folder?

You can rename plugins to plugins1 over SFTP if you need every plugin off at once. Then WordPress loads with no plugins. Rename it back to plugins and turn plugins on one at a time until the site breaks again. Prefer renaming one folder when you already know the suspect.

Is there a longer Force Deactivate guide?

Yes. See force deactivation of a plugin or theme.

Need some help?

Open a support ticket if 1-Click Login still fails after you deactivate or rename the plugin.