WordPress: How to Reinstall WordPress

How to Manually Uninstall WordPress

Part 1: Remove the WordPress Database
If you have multiple databases associated with your hosting account, you can find out which one you need to delete by first finding the wp-config.php file for your WordPress site. The wp-config.php file will include database connection strings that identify which database the website is associated with.

1. Log into your Control Panel.
2. Go to MySQL Database.
3. Select the database you want to delete.
4. Click Drop Database.
   
5. Click Drop Database in the prompt that appears.

Part 2: Remove the WordPress Files
You can either delete your files by using an FTP client or File Manager. The basic steps are provided below:

1. Connect to your files using FTP.
2. Locate the directory where your WordPress files are located. The files generally look like this:
   
3. Delete your WordPress files.

How to Prepare for a WordPress Installation

1. Review the folder or sub-folder your domain is pointing to.
   Because you can have more than one domain, you will be asked which domain you want WordPress to install to. WordPress will install itself to the same folder or sub-folder that your domain is currently pointing to.
   • Domain hosted by us See How To Update Domain Pointers.
   • Domain hosted elsewhere See How To Update DNS Records or How To Update Nameservers.
2. Are you installing WordPress where the domain is pointing or to a subdirectory from where the domain is pointing
   Most WordPress websites are installed directly into 'www.your-domain.com'. However, we provide the option to let you install into a subdirectory such as 'www.your-domain.com/blog'. If you do not have a preference, we recommend installing into just 'www.your-domain.com'.
   • Need to create a subdirectory See How to Create New Files and Folders Using File Manager.
3. Confirm that your directory is ready to have WordPress installed.
   If you already have contents in the directory where you want to install WordPress, it could stop your installation. If your directory already has an older WordPress installation, you will need to remove the old installation before adding a new one. Be sure to check for hidden files as well when cleaning out the directory.
   • Not sure how to remove files See How to Delete Files and Folders Using File Manager.
   • Not sure how to view hidden files See Navigating File Manager.

How to Manually Install WordPress

Part 1: Prepare a Blank Database
WordPress will need a blank database to populate data with. You can easily create a blank database by using the MySQL Database tool.

1. Log into your Control Panel.
2. Go to MySQL Database.
3. Click Add Database.
4. Type in your desired database name and login credentials.
5. Click Add Database.

Part 2: Upload the WordPress files
You can either unzip the files before you upload them or after you upload them. The following steps outline how to unzip the files before you upload them.

1. Download WordPress from WordPress.org.
2. Unzip the wordpress.zip file using decompression software (such as 7zip, WinRar or Winzip).
3. Connect to your hosting account via FTP.
4. Upload the unzipped WordPress files into the directory of your choice.

Part 3: Initiate the WordPress Installation Script
Using your web browser, visit the URL path you installed WordPress under (example: 'http://www.your-domain.com/' or 'http://www.your-domain.com/subdirectory/'). Because you are visiting these files for the first time over the web, WordPress will run an installation script which populates the WordPress database. You will be prompted to provide your Database Connection Strings during the installation process. Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to log into the WordPress Dashboard.

Want to learn more about WordPress

WordPress: Tutorial Videos: To help you easily grasp the basics of creating a WordPress website, we havecreated several free tutorial videos. These videos were designed to be followed in order, but you are welcome to view whichever one best suites your needs.

You can always check out WordPress.org and browse their codex or online help forums.

Other Methods of Reinstalling WordPress

You can reinstall WordPress by changing the database it uses. While simply changing the database can be quicker and easier to do, it will not produce a 'clean slate' verses the standard method of reinstalling WordPress.

• Change the table prefix in the wp-config.php file.
• Drop the existing database tables.
• Change the wp-config.php file to connect to a new empty database.

Important: If your database or website files have become corrupt in any way, a standard reinstall is recommended.