Back to Community
Home / Community / General

How to Completely Uninstall and Remove Easy WP SMTP Data

24 threads Sep 9, 2025

Content

Many WordPress users rely on the Easy WP SMTP plugin to ensure their website emails are delivered reliably. However, when the time comes to switch to a different solution or simply remove the plugin, a common question arises: how do you ensure all of its data is completely removed from your database?

This guide will walk you through the official method for a complete uninstall and what to do if that process doesn't work as expected.

The Official "Self-Destruct" Method

The intended way to remove all plugin data is built directly into Easy WP SMTP's settings. This feature is designed to clean up after itself, removing all traces from your WordPress database.

  1. Navigate to Settings → Easy WP SMTP → Additional Settings.
  2. Locate the "Self Destruct" button.
  3. Click the button. This should deactivate the plugin and erase all of its settings and logs from your database.
  4. Finally, go to the Plugins page in your WordPress admin and delete the plugin as you normally would.

What If the "Self-Destruct" Button Fails?

As seen in user reports, the Self-Destruct feature can sometimes fail with an error message like, “it has been impossible to erase the settings. Refresh the page and try again.” If refreshing the page doesn't resolve the issue, you will need to manually remove the data.

Manually Removing Plugin Data from the Database

If the automated method fails, you can manually delete the plugin's data. This involves accessing your WordPress database, typically through a tool like phpMyAdmin provided by your web host. Warning: Always create a full backup of your database before making any manual changes.

Easy WP SMTP stores its settings in the wp_options table. Look for and delete options that start with the prefix swpsmtp_. The exact names can vary, but common ones include:

  • swpsmtp_options (primary settings)
  • swpsmtp_enc_key (encryption key)
  • swpsmtp_log_size_limit (log settings)
  • Any other options with the swpsmtp_ prefix.

You may also want to search for and delete any transients related to the plugin, which typically have names like _transient_easy_wp_smtp_... or _transient_timeout_easy_wp_smtp_....

Using a Database Cleanup Plugin

For users who are not comfortable directly editing the database, a third-party plugin like Advanced Database Cleaner can be a safer alternative. These tools can scan your database for orphaned options and data left behind by uninstalled plugins, allowing you to clean them up with a few clicks.

Important Note on Constants

If you previously used another SMTP plugin (like WP Mail SMTP) that recommended defining constants in your wp-config.php file (e.g., WPMS_SMTP_PASS), you should manually review and remove those lines of code. Easy WP SMTP does not use these constants for configuration, and they are unrelated to its uninstallation process. Leaving them in place is harmless but unnecessary.

By following these steps, you can ensure a clean break from the Easy WP SMTP plugin, leaving no residual data behind in your WordPress installation.

Related Support Threads Support