Title: Plugin activation/deactivation Last modified: August 19, 2016 --- # Plugin activation/deactivation * [sailpilot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sailpilot/) * (@sailpilot) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/) * I recently downloaded two plugins and activated them. Tested a few things and then deactivated them. * I then re-activated them and now see the plugins on both the active and deactive lists. * They list the identical version numbers and when I check the plugin directory there is only one copy of each plugin. * I am afraid of deleting the deactived plugins for fear that it may also remove the active versions (which are working without a problem). * Has anyone seen/resolved this problem? * Thanks Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total) * [Samuel B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/samboll/) * (@samboll) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938659) * try clearing site cookies and browser cache * Thread Starter [sailpilot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sailpilot/) * (@sailpilot) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938668) * I tried that but it didn’t do anything. * both plugins still appear in both sections. * Thread Starter [sailpilot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sailpilot/) * (@sailpilot) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938731) * I upload an image of the plugin problem. * [its here](http://www.prosite.com/pluginproblem.jpg) * can’t figure out why it displays the plugins in both places. * [ronchicago](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronchicago/) * (@ronchicago) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938735) * if plugins are working deactivating plugins and removing them should not do anything. it would similar to upgrading a plugin. * deactivate all those plugins in question. remove them via ftp. reload via ftp. activate. * Thread Starter [sailpilot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sailpilot/) * (@sailpilot) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938736) * thanks but I only want to delete/remove those that appear to be deactivated without touching the same ones that are active and working. * from looking at the plugin directory I think both the active and decativated plugins are pointing to the same place in the diretory. Which I think means that deleteing the decatived ones will also delete the active ones. * I tweaked the plugins and don’t want to remove them if at all possible. * [ronchicago](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronchicago/) * (@ronchicago) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938738) * don’t be so nervous 😉 this has happened to me too. backup your db! then pull all off because i am not sure how to tell which ones are actually working though it may seem obvious by activating/deactivating this and that. but taking them all off and starting over is best practice for me. * if they are working your db and your connection to it is ok. just pull off and reinstall. now if you get doubles again, i don’t know what to tell you. sorry about that. * Thread Starter [sailpilot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sailpilot/) * (@sailpilot) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938785) * Just installed another plugin and activated it and it displayed on both the active and deactivated lists * I then activated the one displaying in the deactivated list and now there are 2 copies in the active list and under settings the menu item shows twice and all settings under either menu item (for Register plus) display twice. * [see here.](http://www.prosite.com/pluginproblem1.jpg) * If I deactivate one of the copies and then try to delete it indicates that it will delete both copies. * I don’t know what changed but until about a week ago everything worked without a problem with the plugins. * Anyone see this and resolve it???? * [ronchicago](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronchicago/) * (@ronchicago) * [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938800) * i have not experienced this problem. it was a good idea to install another plug just to see what happens. * if someone does not give more informed advice i would backup db! * then delete wp and reinstall. it could be a corrupt wp or maybe a hacked wp. don’t forget to deactivate all plugins b4 you do any of the above. this way you are not messing with your db but eliminating the culprit. Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total) The topic ‘Plugin activation/deactivation’ is closed to new replies. ## Tags * [activate](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/activate/) * [deactivate](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/deactivate/) * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) * 8 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [ronchicago](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronchicago/) * Last activity: [17 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-activationdeactivation/#post-938800) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics