Title: Cannot uninstall WordFence
Last modified: May 28, 2026

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# Cannot uninstall WordFence

 *  Resolved [axiom28](https://wordpress.org/support/users/axiom28/)
 * (@axiom28)
 * [1 week, 4 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-uninstall-wordfence/)
 * I wanted to run a scan with WordPress, it brought up and unspecific error, I 
   changed to a lower rate scan, same error, tried to uninstall with intention of
   reinstall, same error again and cannot uninstall, added the WordFence Assistant
   plugin and executed all options. still same error when trying to uninstall.
 * Please can I get some help to do this, so I can get WordFence operational again
 * Ian

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Plugin Support [wfpeter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wfpeter/)
 * (@wfpeter)
 * [1 week, 4 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-uninstall-wordfence/#post-18921555)
 * Hi [@axiom28](https://wordpress.org/support/users/axiom28/), thanks for getting
   in touch.
 * When a plugin can’t be installed from WordPress using the Deactivate and Delete
   links on the **Plugins > Installed Plugins** page, there may be a file permissions
   issue or a PHP fatal error being thrown.
 * If you see a message like “Deletion failed” or “There has been a critical error”,
   [enable logging](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/debug/debug-wordpress/)(
   if it isn’t already), retry the delete on Wordfence, then inspect your `debug.
   log` file immediately. We may be able to help with the specific error message,
   unless it’s related to permissions or a setting that you or your host may need
   to rectify.
 * Many thanks,
   Peter.
 *  Thread Starter [axiom28](https://wordpress.org/support/users/axiom28/)
 * (@axiom28)
 * [1 week, 4 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-uninstall-wordfence/#post-18921761)
 * Hello Peter, 
   thank you for your answer, I was trying to remove WordFence so 
   that I could start with a fresh installation, I did manage to delete WordFence
   the way you explained, then I used WordFence assistant to cleanup. I did manage
   to install what appeared to be a fresh installation, but the same error comes
   up as shown in the image that too brought up the same error.
 * Anyway after several attempts backwards and forwards deleting and reinstalling
   I somehow got a working version.
 * ![](https://wordpress.org/7eaffb56-0e5a-409e-a96c-ed2e98d36fa7)
 *  Plugin Support [wfpeter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wfpeter/)
 * (@wfpeter)
 * [1 week, 4 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-uninstall-wordfence/#post-18921826)
 * Hi [@axiom28](https://wordpress.org/support/users/axiom28/),
 * Thanks for letting me know and I’m glad to hear you have a working version now.
   It does sound like there might have been an intermittent issue, although I can’t
   recall a recent comparable case that might help explain it.
 * By all means let us know if issues start to return and errors are being logged
   that may help us assist you in finding a long-term solution.
 * Thanks again,
   Peter.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [wfpeter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wfpeter/)
 * Last activity: [1 week, 4 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-uninstall-wordfence/#post-18921826)
 * Status: resolved