Do you want to disable XML-RPC on your WordPress site?
XML-RPC is a core WordPress API that allows users to connect to their WordPress website using third-party apps, tools, and services.
In this article, we’ll show you how to easily disable XML-RPC in WordPress.
What is XML-RPC in WordPress?
XML-RPC is one of the core WordPress APIs that allows apps to connect and interact with a WordPress website using XML and HTTPs protocols.
In short, it is a system that allows you to post on your WordPress blog using the WordPress mobile apps or other remote blogging apps. It is also needed if you want to make connections to automation services such as IFTTT or Zapier.
Basically, if you want to access and publish your blog remotely, then you need XML-RPC enabled. The API is safe and enabled by default on all WordPress websites.
However, some WordPress security experts may advise you to disable it.
Disabling it will basically close one more door that a potential hacker may try to exploit to hack your website.
That being said, let’s take a look at how to easily disable the XML-RPC API in WordPress.
- Method 1: Disable XML-RPC in WordPress (with a Plugin)
- Method 2: Manually Disable XML-RPC in WordPress (with Code)
- Method 3: Disable XML-RPC in WordPress (with .htaccess)
Method 1. Disable XML-RPC in WordPress (with a Plugin
All you need to do is install and activate the Disable XML-RPC plugin. For more details, see our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
The plugin works out of the box and there are no settings for you to configure.
Simply activating it will deactivate XML-RPC on your WordPress website.
Method 2. Disable XML-RPC in WordPress (with Code)
This method requires you to add some code to your WordPress website. If you haven’t done this before then take a look at our guide on how to copy and paste custom code snippets in WordPress.
Basically, WordPress core provides a filter to manually add to your website’s functions.php file to disable the XML-RPC API using the following code:
add_filter('xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false');
However, we don’t recommend directly editing your WordPress core files because it can break your site if not done correctly. We will be using WPCode to add this snippet because it’s easiest and safest way to add code to your WordPress site.
First, you need to install the free WPCode plugin. For step-by-step instructions, check out our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, go to Code Snippets » Add Snippet and search for “xml.”
WPCode’s snippet library contains a way to disable XML-RPC, so all you need to do is click ‘Use snippet.”
Next, just switch the ‘Activate’ toggle on.
Be sure to click the ‘Update’ button to enable the snippet on your site and disable XML-RPC API.
Method 3. How to Disable WordPress XML-RPC with .htaccess
If you want want to allow remote access for you and your team while restricting everyone else, you can do so by disabling all XML-RPC requests before they are even passed on to WordPress.
Note that this is a more complex process, and we only recommend it for advanced users because you will need to edit your site’s .htaccess file.
The simplest and easiest way is to use All-in-One SEO Pro‘s built-in editor to add the code below. This can also be done by connecting to your site using an FTP client or through a file manager.
No matter the method, you just need to paste the following ito your .htaccess file:
# Block WordPress xmlrpc.php requests
<Files xmlrpc.php>
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from 123.123.123.123
</Files>
Note that you will need to know the IP address for anyone you want to allow remote access and replace 123.123.123.123 with it.
If you want to disable XML-RPC completely using .htaccess, simply remove allow from 123.123.123.123 from the file to completely block access.
Testing XML-RPC Functionality in WordPress
Next, you can test if you have successfully disabled the XML-RPC API on your WordPress website.
The simplest way to do that is by installing the WordPress Mobile App on your phone. It is available for iOS and Android.
After installing the app, open it on your phone, and then tap on the ‘Enter your existing site address’ button.
On the next screen, you’ll be asked to provide your website address. Enter your website address and tap on the continue button.
After that, you will be asked to enter your login details. Here you need to provide the same username and password that you use to sign in on your website.
You should now see the error message that XML-RPC services are disabled on this site.
We hope this article helped you learn how to easily disable XML-RPC in WordPress. You may also want to see our list of the important things you need to do after installing WordPress.
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Pete Mason says
in htaccess, the line:
allow from 123.123.123.123
Looks like it wants to be edited with my IP address. But this is not stated anywhere —?
Christine says
Is there a difference between disabling and blocking?
WPBeginner Support says
Blocking would attempt to limit access to the feature while disabling would turn it off completely. If you disable it you wouldn’t need to worry about someone accessing it through a different method.
Admin
Rashmi K says
The recomnended plugin Disable XML-RPC has not been updated since last 2 years. It says the plugin has not been tested with the last 3 releases of wordpress.
WPBeginner Support says
For our stance on the not tested warning, you would want to take a look at our article below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/opinion/should-you-install-plugins-not-tested-with-your-wordpress-version/
Admin
Nikhil says
Hi,
Will disabling the xmlrpc.php access also disable the access to wordpress apis used for android/ios app development?
WPBeginner Support says
That would depend on the API being used by the apps themselves.
Admin
Vyom says
Found the solution:
Adding following information in nginx config:
# nginx block xmlrpc.php requests
location /xmlrpc.php {
deny all;
}
Vyom says
I use nginx instead of Apache. Can I still use .htaccess on my site?
And do I need to store this file in public_html directory, or one level above it?
WPBeginner Support says
If you’re using nginx then you would not be able to use htaccess
Admin
Vyom says
Thanks for the reply. So is there an alternative for nginx?
WPBeginner Support says
You would add the site-specific plugin or the plugin from earlier in the article.
Chinecherem Somto says
hi, is it on the .htaccess file on the website root that i will paste the code?
WPBeginner Support says
Yes, the .htaccess in your site’s root folder is where you would add the .htaccess code
Admin
Mojtaba Rezaeian says
Thank you author.
WPBeginner Support says
You are welcome Mojtaba
Admin
Bapi says
How to use multiple ip or a ip range like 123.123.123.1, 2, 3, …… 100,101
malcolm says
why would we allow 123.123.123.123 ?
If we aren’t using the service at all, why not let “deny all” be absolute?
Edward says
If i’m reading the code correctly;
order deny,allow – puts deny before allow, since deny is ‘all’ then allow isn’t processed
deny from all – does what it says
allow from 123.123.123.123 – is a place holder
I gather that if you have a fixed IP address you could change order to “allow,deny” and replace 123.123.123.123 with your IP address. That would allow your IP then deny all others.
David Hoy says
Thanks WP-Beginner, I’m trying to be baddest WP boy in my neighbourhood and this is exactly why I keep coming back to you guys, each question I have you say; here is the easy way, and here is the RIGHT way
Me an my .htaccess are going to have a little chat about htpasswrd and this here XMLRPC thingy my clients will never need.
You all just made my corner of the net a little bit safer, as MailChimp would say: High Fives!
WPBeginner Support says
Hey David,
Thanks for the kind words. We are glad you find WPBeginner helpful
Admin
Cezar says
Ok, i will use this code but i want IFTTT to have work on my website what i need to add?
# Block WordPress xmlrpc.php requests
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from 123.123.123.123
PhilB says
Hi,
I have followed the instructions to block the xmlrpc.php file using .htaccess but im not sure if it is working.
Im using wordfence security and in the live traffic view i can see the requests for the xmlrpc.php file have stopped, but if i check my access logs
tail -f /apache2/logs/access_log
I can still see the requests coming in, but the code at the end has changed from 500 to 403. Im concerned im getting a false report from my WordFence plugin and that im still being flooded with spam. Can anyone advise?
Thanks,
PhilB
David Hoy says
Oh yeah! Thats working perfectly, your XMLRPC is FORBIDDEN!
HTTP Status Code 403: The server understood the request but refuses to authorize it.
Raymundo says
I got a weird problem…
I’m using my wordpress blogs with IFTTT and all worked fine, until I integrated it with MaxCDN; IFTTT immediately stopped working. I did some research and the problem might be related to XML-RPC that was de-activated.
When I check my dashbord in “Settings” > “Writing” , I don’t see anything like XML-RPC, Remote Publishing, etc. I’ve checked database in options, also xml-rpc not available / missing.
I need to activate XML-RPC to keep my IFTTT working.
How do I re-activate XML-RPC; all I need is a script that I can add in .htaccess or functions.php to activate XML-RPC.
And why am I missing the XML-RPC funtionality in my dashboard.
Thank You!
Muhammad Ammar Ashfaq says
I was searching for how to add this file xmlprc.php to my wordpress i am using 4.5.3 version and i came to this page. I need to add this php file because when i enable jetpack i got error of site_inaccessible. Please tell me hot to resolve this error my site is
WPBeginner Support says
Connect to your WordPress site using FTP client or File Manager in cPanel. In your website’s root directory look for xmlrpc.php file. If it is there, then try step 2. If it isn’t then download a fresh copy of WordPress. Unzip and extract it and upload xmlrpc.php file back to your site’s root directory.
Step 2: Check your WordPress theme’s functions file for the code that disables XML-RPC.
Step 3: Check your .htaccess and wp-config files.
Admin
omonaija says
Please,what can i do to enable xmlrpc on my site?because i can’t login using wordpess mobile app on my smartphone..
WPBeginner Support says
If you are using a security plugin on your WordPress site, then check its settings.
Admin
Mook says
Booyah! This WP filter fixed the script kiddie attack. I still firewalled the person, but I don’t have to watch the logs like a hawk to add more IPs to the firewall. THANK YOU.
WPBeginner Support says
That’s why we use Sucuri.
Admin
Alex says
Is that because Sucuri acts like the Disable XMLRPC plugin?
If so I can remove my Disable XMLRPC plugin,
Thanks
Alex
WPBeginner Support says
Sucuri acts like a firewall between your site and users. It blocks any suspicious activity before it could reach your website.
Chad says
I’m totally onboard for disabling xmlrpc.php server wide in my /etc/httpd/conf/includes/pre_main_global.conf file. But I am left with this questions…is there a way to determine that a particular plugin “NEEDS” xmlrpc.php in order to work? I have concerns with blocking access to it and then having an issue 2 months down the road and not know that the issue is with the fact that I blocked xmlrpc.php previously.
Are there any common signs to look for in a log file or such which would point to a xmlrpc.php block as the cause?
Soumitra says
Hi, I just installed the plugin , Disable XML-RPC
Lets see!
Phranq says
Hey am using WordPress app to post with my android smartphone. Now I can’t login and my login credentials are correct. The response I got was ” we can’t log you in couldn’t connect to the WordPress site”.Could you help me fix this WordPress app login error.
WPBeginner Support says
If you had disabled XML RPC then you may not be able to login using WordPress mobile app. Look in your theme’s functions.php file for this code
add_filter('xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false');If it is there, then you need to remove it. You can also try deactivating plugins and turning them on one by one until you find the plugin that is stopping you from login using WordPress mobile app.
Admin
Josiah says
It’s worth noting, that “allow from 123.123.123.123” is optional, and if used should be updated to include your IP, or the IP of the device that needs access to xmlrpc.php (it would be good to cite examples in this article).
Natalie says
I am using GoodbyeCaptcha plugin to turn off the XML-RPC and works with no problem while Jetpack is activated.
Hope it helps
ATI says
Sorry, I’ve tried this method many times. It didn’t work for me – in fact it brought the front end down (blocking visitors read access to the web page) after adding these codes to the .htaccess file.
Gretchen Louise says
Does disabling it this way prevent this issue? http://theaffluentblogger.com/operating-a-website/wordpress-xmlrpc-php-vulnerability-affects-shared-hosting-sites/ I have a friend whose site is continually crashing because of her xmlrpc file being attacked.
Editorial Staff says
Yes it will prevent the attack to an extent.
Admin
Christopher Ross says
Keith, there’s a trend in WordPress to move non-theme related functions out of the functions.php file and into a “site specific plugin”, basically a plugin that you only activate on one unique website and it stores the non-theme related functions for that site.
You can accomplish the same thing by placing the code in your functions.php file.
Keith Davis says
Thanks Chris
Looks like you guys have already covered it.
https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/what-why-and-how-tos-of-creating-a-site-specific-wordpress-plugin/
BTW – what’s happened to your comments system?
Was Livefyre then something related to twitter and facebook and now ?
Keith Davis says
Hi Guys
Sorry to be a bit thick but could you expand on… “All you have to do is paste the following code in a site-specific plugin:”
Which plugins are site specific?