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In WordPress, the file editor helps you quickly edit core, theme, and plugin files.
While editing files in the WordPress dashboard is risky, it can quickly help you make slight changes to WordPress assets.
However, there is a problem in the workflow.
What if the file editor disappeared from the WordPress dashboard – it happens.
Let’s uncover the details and learn how to deal with the situation if the WordPress file editor is missing.
WordPress File Editor Missing
Note: Editing WordPress files in the dashboard is risky and not recommended, especially for beginners.
If something goes wrong, the whole site can suffer.
However, if making changes is undeniable, use the hosting cPanel file manager to edit files. Also, ensure you’ve taken site backups before using the file editor in the WordPress dashboard.
Second, changing WordPress files is a manual process. If you update a theme or the WordPress core, you must make manual changes again—otherwise, your site will run with the old settings.
Let’s proceed further.
First, if you’re part of a membership site where others manage site controls, the chances of disabling the file editor are high.
Check if the site administrator has turned the file editor off in this scenario.
File editing in WordPress
A WordPress site may not allow users to edit files. Ask the Support Team for assistance if you do not see a file editor in WordPress dashboard.
In such scenarios, you should ask the Support Team if the WordPress site has been configured to deny file editing in the dashboard. Pay attention.
File editing disabled in wp-config.php File
In the Hosting cPanel, locate and view the wp-config.php file.
The file handles core features for WordPress installations, such as database users and login information.
If you’re technical enough, ask the Support Team for assistance in determining whether the file contains a code snippet to disable the file editor in the WordPress dashboard. Perfect.
If, for example, you have found one, remove it and save the changes. Next, reloading the site should have fixed the problem.
Note: If your site is configured differently, you can look for similar files to proceed. For example, instead of wp-config.php, look for the wp-settings.php file to proceed.
Web hosting constraints
Above all, if you’re unsure of the specific place, the web hosting infrastructure can change WordPress default assets, such as the Theme file editor.
In this case, ask for support from hosting agents.
In most cases, the file editor is disabled for security purposes. If the file editor has been disabled by hosting, ask to enable it for you. There is no rocket science or question.
Web hosting specific settings for File editing
Some hosting infrastructures implement specific routines to handle file editing routines.
As described above, you can unlock the file editor quickly in everyday scenarios. However, some hosting companies implement their specific routines, such as Siteground.
In this case, you can ask if the hosting system has caused changes to the dashboard.
If web hosting implements a dedicated security interface, you can proceed and see if options allow you to unlock the file editor in the WordPress dashboard.
Beginner’s stuff
Absolute beginner? No problem.
If you lack WordPress expertise and are unsure how to edit files in WordPress, here is what you should do instead.
You can browse to the specific address, which will help you load the file editor directly in the WordPress dashboard. You should be logged in to proceed.
Here is the URL location to load the file editor.
domain.com/wp-admin/theme-editor.php
Note: The URL should load the WordPress Theme file editor in the dashboard. If you want to proceed and make changes, click “I understand” to proceed.
Check settings in Security plugins
Security plugins can also cause the file editor to disappear in the dashboard.
For example, Sucuri can disable the file editor to harden WordPress security.
If you’re using Sucuri, here is what you should do.
Look for the option under “Hardening”. It will help you revert the changes and unlock the WordPress file editor again.
If you’re unsure how to proceed, consult the Sucuri official documentation for more information on handling such scenarios.
Above all, don’t proceed to make a change if you don’t know how to proceed further.
Theme specific settings in WordPress
Another reason most people don’t know about is using a block-supported theme in WordPress.
For example, if you’re using WordPress’ default theme, such as Twenty Twenty Two, using the file editor is no longer possible in the dashboard.
If you’re unsure, you can run an A/B test on a staging site to see how it goes in the real world.
In this case, here is what you should consider instead.
You can change your site’s theme if you need to change the site files.
This can help you automatically unlock the file editor in the WordPress dashboard. However, if you continue to use the WordPress theme in question, you may have no other option to unlock the file editor in the WordPress dashboard. Period.
Conflicts between WordPress plugins
Sometimes, plugin conflicts can cause the file editor to disappear from the dashboard. This happens if you’re using too many plugins in WordPress.
Here is what you can do.
Turn off all plugins. Next, enable plugins individually and observe what changes occur on the site.
In this manner, you can figure out which plugins caused a conflict that disabled the theme file editor in the WordPress dashboard. It happens.
WordPress.com users
Web hosting platforms, such as WordPress.com, can also configure certain features for users.
In this case, don’t forget that WordPress platforms offer WordPress infrastructures to users lacking WordPress expertise.
So, in this scenario, you can check if an option is available.
For example, specific packages called WordPress Tweaks allow changes to WordPress assets.
If you see a similar option in the dashboard, wander and figure out if changing a specific option can help you enable the file editor in the dashboard. It doesn’t take long to figure out what has caused the file editor to disappear.
New changes in the WordPress infrastructure
Are you looking in the wrong place?
The infrastructure of the WordPress dashboard has been changed.
The WordPress team has moved the file editor to the Tools menu.
Instead of Appearance -> Theme File Editor, the option has been moved to the Tools menu.
Remember, it depends on the site and theme you are currently using.
First, look for the file editor under the Appearance menu. If no option is available, you can check the Tools menu.
Summing up
Above, we addressed various reasons for the error, such as the disappearance of the file editor in WordPress.
Start from the basics, that’s what makes sense.
If you feel the problem is more technical, asking for developers’ assistance would be good. There should be no question.
Conversely, you can try out other routines to fix the problem.