DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT is a constant used in WordPress as a security feature. You can easily enable or disable it by setting its value to true, which disallows anyone from editing theme or plugin files directly from the WordPress dashboard.
This is one of the critical security features of WordPress that helps prevent unauthorized or accidental changes to the site’s code, as well as any malicious attacks.
Where you can find the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT settings and How you can Turn it on in WordPress?
You might be wondering, how you can implement this critical security measure on your WordPress site. Well, you can easily configure this DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT setting via FTP client or directly from cPanel in the wp-config.php file of your WordPress installation.
Here are the steps to locate and set this configuration:
1. Access Your WordPress Files:
To access your WordPress files, you can use either an FTP client (like FileZilla), cPanel, or your web hosting file manager to access the root directory of your WordPress installation.
For your convenience, we are using cPanel to access the WordPress Files for demonstration.
Login to your cPanel and Open File Manager as shown in the picture below:
File Manager in cPanel
2. Open wp-config.php:
Now Locate the public_html file check out the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation and download the File.
Opening public_html in the WordPress root directory
Right-click the file to open with a text editor such as Notepad++ or VS Code.
opening and editing the wp-config.php file
3. Add the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT Constant:
Add the following line of code to the wp-config.php file, preferably below the line that says: define(‘WP_DEBUG’, false); and above the line that says: /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
Adding Add the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT Constants in wp-config.php file
4. Save and Upload the File:
Save the changes to the wp-config.php file and upload it back to the root directory of your WordPress installation, replacing the old file.
By adding this line, you ensure that the theme and plugin editors are disabled, reducing the risk of code changes that could potentially break the site or add security vulnerabilities.
How to enable file editing in WordPress?
In the case at some point in time if you feel like enabling file editing in WordPress, all you have to just follow the same above-mentioned steps and set the value of constant DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT to False in the Wp-config.php file.
If you still wondering how, here are the simple steps:
1. Open wp-config.php:
Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
Download and open this file using a text editor (such as Notepad++ or VS Code).
Remove or Comment Out the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT Constant:
2. Find the line that defines DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT. It will look like this:
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
3. Either remove this line completely, Set it false, or comment it out by adding // at the beginning of the line, like this:
// define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
or
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', false);
4. Save and Upload the File:
Save the changes to the wp-config.php file and upload it back to the root directory of your WordPress installation, replacing the old file.
At the end, the file should look something like this :
<?php // other settings
// define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); // Commented out to enable file editing
// other settings
define('WP_DEBUG', false);
/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
By removing or commenting on the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT line, you will enable file editing through the WordPress admin dashboard, allowing you to edit theme and plugin files directly from there.
Note: No doubt, enabling file editing can be convenient for you to make quick changes, but you should also not forget its security risks. Make sure that your WordPress installation is secure, with strong passwords and limited access to the admin panel. Once done with the editing, do not forget to re-enable DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT to minimize potential security vulnerabilities.
Why it is important to turn on the the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT settings in WordPress?
Using the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT setting in WordPress is a crucial security measure for several reasons:
Prevent Unauthorized Access: As we have already mentioned, disabling file editing helps avoid or prevent your users from editing or modifying theme or plugin files directly from the WordPress admin dashboard. Also, it reduces the risk of malicious code being injected into your site.
Avoid Accidental Changes: Not only users, but some chances even authorized users might accidentally make changes to theme or plugin files that could break the website. Hence, disabling the file editing option can help to mitigate the risk.
Enhance Security: This practice also helps reduce the attack surface for potential hackers. They cannot exploit the theme or plugin editors to insert harmful scripts or codes.
Encourage Best Practices: This encourages developers and web admins to use proper development workflows such as editing files locally and deploying changes through version control systems like Git. This ensures better tracking and management of code changes.
Compliance with Security Guidelines: Many security guidelines and best practices recommend disabling file editing from the dashboard as part of a comprehensive security strategy for WordPress sites.
Reduce Server Load: Allowing file edits through the dashboard can sometimes lead to increased server load, especially if multiple users are editing files simultaneously. Disabling this feature helps keep your server resources focused on serving site visitors.
Avoid Mistakes During Maintenance: Accidental file edits through the dashboard during maintenance or updates can cause conflicts or errors. Disabling file editing ensures that any changes are deliberate and well-tested.
These small changes can significantly enhance the security and stability of your WordPress site.
Conclusion
Now you have learned what exactly the term “DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT” is, and enabling it has its benefits from a security point of view.
Implementing it is so easy that any non-techie web admin can perform it for their WordPress sites. If you do not wish to compromise your site’s security, make it vulnerable to malicious code injections, or suffer accidents, immediately enable this in your WordPress site today.
If you have any queries regarding this post, feel free to write in the comment section below.
Rahul Kumar is a web enthusiast, and content strategist specializing in WordPress & web hosting. With years of experience and a commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends, he creates effective online strategies that drive traffic, boosts engagement, and increase conversions. Rahul’s attention to detail and ability to craft compelling content makes him a valuable asset to any brand looking to improve its online presence.
