---
title: delete_plugins
description: "## What is the delete_plugins permission in WordPress? The delete_plugins permission allows you to delete plugins on a WordPress site. However, the delete_plugins permission can not be used by itself. Before you can delete plugins you also need [the activate_plugins…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/delete-plugins/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / WordPress Permissions
---

# delete_plugins

## What is the delete_plugins permission in WordPress?

The delete_plugins permission allows you to delete plugins on a WordPress site.

However, the delete_plugins permission can not be used by itself. Before you can delete plugins you also need [the activate_plugins permission](https://publishpress.com/docs/activate-plugins/). With both of those permissions, you can go to the "Plugins" screen and use the "Delete" button. Plugins must be deactivated before they can be deleted.

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/delete-plugins-link-1024x413.png)

---

## Who has the delete_plugins permission?

By default, the delete_plugins permission is only given to [Super Admins](https://publishpress.com/links/super-admin) and Administrators.

Users not in these roles are not allowed to delete plugins.

---

## How can you control who has the delete_plugins permission?

You can control who has the delete_plugins permission by installing the [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) plugin.

- After installing [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities), go to "Capabilities" in your WordPress admin menu.
- Using the dropdown in the top-left corner, choose the role you want to edit.
- Check or uncheck the “delete plugins" and "activate plugins" boxes in the "Plugins" area:

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/delete-plugins-capability-1024x531.png)

---

## All plugin permissions in WordPress

- [activate_plugins](https://publishpress.com/docs/activate-plugins/)
- [delete_plugins](https://publishpress.com/docs/delete-plugins/)
- [install_plugins](https://publishpress.com/docs/install_plugins/)
- [edit_plugins](https://publishpress.com/docs/edit_plugins/)
- [update_plugins](https://publishpress.com/docs/update-plugins/)