Do you want to reset your WordPress database to its original settings?
If you’re working on a local server or a test site, then you might need to restore your database back to how it was when you first started.
In this article, we’ll show you how to reset your WordPress database to default settings with just a few clicks.
Before Resetting your WordPress Database
WordPress stores all your website content in a database. This includes your posts, pages, media file data, plugin and theme settings, and more.
If you have been working on a test a site on a local server or staging site, then sometimes you may wish to reset and just go back to the fresh install.
Resetting your WordPress database is the fastest way to do this. It deletes all your WordPress data without deleting any files stored on your web hosting server.
Important: If you reset your WordPress database, all the data will be gone forever. It cannot be undone.
You can make a complete WordPress backup before you proceed any further. You can also backup your WordPress database alone if you don’t want to backup your entire website.
Video Tutorial
If you prefer written instructions, then please continue reading.
Reset Your WordPress Database to Default Settings
First, you need to install and activate the WordPress Database Reset plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, you need to visit the Tools » Database Reset page. From here, you can select the database tables you want to reset, or click on the ‘Select All Tables’ link to reset all tables.
When you select all tables, you’ll have the option to reactivate your current WordPress theme and active plugins. The plugin will also preserve your current WordPress user account.
Finally, you’ll need to confirm the reset by entering the security code in the text box and click on the Reset Tables button.
You’ll see a warning popup appear on the screen, click on the OK button to continue.
The plugin will now delete all data in your WordPress database tables. You’ll see a success message on the plugin’s settings page.
After a few seconds, you’ll be logged out of the WordPress admin area. You can login again using same old account to continue working on your website.
We hope this article helped you learn how to reset your WordPress database to default settings. You may also want to check out our beginner’s guide to WordPress database management, and our infographic on how WordPress works behind the scenes.
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Wow, thank you so much!
You saved the life of my fingernails and allot of frustration!
Glad our guide could help
hi there.. i see i face same issue as many others here.
since i resat it all..i have and error while trying to get to my wordpress page : “Sorry, you are not allowed to access this page.”
how to fix it up ???
thanks.
hey I wonder if I have a subdomain such as test.example.com and i reset the whole db with this tool. Will the DB for example.com stay untouched or will this also be resetted?
Want to reset just the testpage so I can check a new theme but want to leave the live page untouched…
thx
Hey Maurice,
They will remain untouched. But as a precaution you should always create complete database backups before performing any operations on your WordPress database. It is also recommended that you use different database for each WordPress website.
I used the database reset on my site , and now I can’t log in. I think it’s because I deleted the wP-users file. I tried to change passwords but didn’t receive an email. How do I fix this..
How to get rid of your problem.Bcoz still I’m facing that problem:(
My wordpress post didnt show date and time and cant change the site timezone, can it solve my problem?
We can’t say that it would. First, you should try to find out why you are unable to change the site timezone. Time settings can be found on Settings » General page inside WordPress admin area. You may also want to try these WordPress troubleshooting tips first.
I used this plugin-in and after I reset everything, my site no longer exist. How do I get it back? I can’t get into my admin permissions.
What option can i select so as to reset my WordPress without loosing my users, my plugins and my pages. Even if I loose my themes, I have no issue with it.
Thanks a lot
Your WordPress database contains all your data like posts, pages, comments, users, etc. Make sure you backup your WordPress database. You also need to backup your plugins folder.
Please guide me on the tables I can select using this plugging and reset large part of my data base without loosing my pages and plugins only.
Thanks
please guide me on which tables to select in the list of tables as the pluggin displays which when selected will reset large parts of my WordPress site without resetting my pages.
Will this delete original blog posts on WordPress? I want to get rid of my duplicates but I do not want to lose my work
It will delete all your blog posts. You will have an empty WordPress site with clean DB.
After reading reams of information which might as well have been written in a foreign language, I came across this and it solved my problem beautifully. Thank you.
Hi i have a problem that when i go to add new post my HTML and Text buttons are hidden and i cannot type my text so plz help me
Please see how to fix white text and missing buttons in WordPress visual editor.
I have reset the wordpress. But now i cant visit my site iam worried if i click on my site its coming white empty pls help
Apparently I am a complete idot and I just wiped my clients entire website. Nope, apparently not smart enough to create a back and it is due next week. First big project…I need help….ASAP!!!
Thank you for this tip, save me time and hassle.
Thank you
I have users reset with the plugin, now I can not login to wordpress.
I get message
“” You do not have enough rights for this page ‘
Who can help me please
thanx
for me is unable to login, what did i do wrong
it worked .. but once signed out ..unable to login its nt accepting my current password or the 1st one
..
How did you resolve this
If this works you’re a lifesaver! Thanks.
Is there a plugin/way to delete all content on a site but keep themes and plugins intact?
Thanks.
You can go to phpmyAdmin and empty your database tables. Keep a backup in case you want to revert back.
Thanks a lot. I was doing my head in over my messed up site. Time to start again!
Big help
Any chance this can be run from a cron job so it’s automated? I’m trying to setup a demo site and would like the content to be reset once an hour.
On that note, any ideas on how to get the wordpress site to also delete any new images that were uploaded during that time?
Thanks for your help!
Hi, really cool post but I do have a question…will this affect my themes? I have some premium themes i don’t want to lose.
Yes it will.
AMAZING, thank you so much, solved my problem when i pretty much ruined my wp.
Thanks for this! All the times before I used to make changes to the db and make anew install of wordpress…No more from now on
Useful plugin for me, I’m using WordPress on localhost so It’ll help me to reset database to default settings.