How to Completely Uninstall Limit Login Attempts Reloaded (Especially on GoDaddy)
Content
Many WordPress users find the Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin essential for site security. However, a common and frustrating issue arises when trying to remove it. You might deactivate and delete it from the Plugins page, only to find its settings menu still appears in your WordPress dashboard, or worse, the plugin continues to function. This guide will explain why this happens and provide clear steps to completely uninstall the plugin.
Why Can't I Fully Uninstall the Plugin?
Based on community reports, this problem almost always occurs for one of two reasons:
- Must-Use Plugin (MU-Plugin) Installation: This is the most frequent cause, particularly for users on GoDaddy's Managed WordPress hosting. GoDaddy often pre-installs Limit Login Attempts Reloaded as a "Must-Use" plugin. MU-plugins are automatically enabled and cannot be deactivated from the standard WordPress Plugins page. They are stored in the
wp-content/mu-pluginsdirectory, which is not always visible via all file managers. - Incomplete Manual Removal: In rare cases, if the plugin was manually integrated into a theme or another plugin's code, remnants might remain even after deleting the standard plugin files.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Step 1: Check the MU-Plugins Folder
The first and most crucial step is to access your website's files via FTP or your hosting provider's file manager (e.g., cPanel). Navigate to the wp-content folder and look for a directory named mu-plugins.
- If this folder exists, open it and look for any files or subfolders related to Limit Login Attempts Reloaded (e.g.,
limit-login-attempts-reloaded,gd-system-plugin). - On GoDaddy, the plugin is often located in a path like
wp-content/mu-plugins/gd-system-plugin/plugins/limit-login-attempts-reloaded.
Step 2: Remove the Plugin Files
If you find the plugin in the mu-plugins folder, you will need to delete the relevant files or folders from there to completely remove it.
Important Note for GoDaddy Users: Many users report that GoDaddy sets permissions on the mu-plugins folder to be read-only for the user. This means you may see the files but cannot delete them yourself through FTP. In this case, you must contact GoDaddy support directly and request that they remove the Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin from the MU-plugins directory on your behalf.
Step 3: Clear Caches
After successfully removing the plugin files from both the standard plugins folder and the mu-plugins folder, clear your WordPress cache (if you use a caching plugin) and your browser cache. This should finally remove all traces of the plugin from your dashboard.
What If The Plugin Is Still There?
If you have confirmed the plugin is not in the mu-plugins folder and the issue persists, it is highly recommended to contact your web hosting provider's support team. They can perform a more thorough search of your server's file structure to identify any hidden or misplaced plugin files that may be causing the conflict.
Related Support Threads Support
-
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded Support Policyhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-attempts-reloaded-support-policy-2/
-
limit login attempts comparabilityhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-attempts-comparability/
-
Is Limit Login Attempts Reloaded compatible with WordPress 5.9?https://wordpress.org/support/topic/is-limit-login-attempts-reloaded-compatible-with-wordpress-5-9/
-
Plugin bug with password protected wp-admin directoryhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-bug-with-password-protected-wp-admin-directory/
-
Non-plugin version of Limit Login Attempts Reloaded?https://wordpress.org/support/topic/none-plugin-version-of-limit-login-attempts-reloaded/
-
Remove Limit Login Attempts pluginhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/remove-limit-login-attempts-plugin/
-
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded Support Policy 2024https://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-attempts-reloaded-support-policy-2024/
-
Block Commentshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/block-comments-3/
-
Unable To Uninstall (via FTP)https://wordpress.org/support/topic/unable-to-uninstall-via-ftp/
-
It Has Been 1-year Since The Link Below. Did You Ever Resolve It?https://wordpress.org/support/topic/it-has-been-1-year-since-the-link-below-did-you-ever-resolve-it/
-
Conflict with User Verification pluginhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/conflict-with-user-verification-plugin/
-
Limit login disappeared from plugins folderhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-disappeared-from-plugins-folder/
-
“The link you followed has expired.”https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-link-you-followed-has-expired-59/
-
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded Support Policyhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-attempts-reloaded-support-policy-3/
-
comment desintaller le plugin Limit Login Attemptshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/comment-desintaller-le-plugin-limit-login-attempts/
-
Limit Login broken after site migrationhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-broken-after-site-migration/
-
UNINSTALL???https://wordpress.org/support/topic/uninstall-71/
-
Found a bug, translation issues & privacy concernshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/found-a-bug-translation-issues-privacy-concerns/
-
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded – PHP version support and login attempt issueshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-attempts-reloaded-php-version-support-and-login-attempt-issues/
-
Copying current Limit Login settings for import into other SQL db?https://wordpress.org/support/topic/copying-current-limit-login-settings-for-import-into-other-sql-db/
-
WF Login Limit & Limit Login Attempts Reloadedhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/wf-login-limit-limit-login-attempts-reloaded-2/
-
Limit Loging Attempts not tested with the last WordPresshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-loging-attempts-not-tested-with-the-last-wordpress/
-
Double login required on two different formshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/double-login-required-on-two-different-forms/
-
Reverse proxy Settinghttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/reverse-proxy-setting/
-
Mysql binlogs huge due to Limit Login Attempts Reloadedhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/mysql-binlogs-huge-due-to-limit-login-attempts-reloaded/
-
UNINSTALL???https://wordpress.org/support/topic/uninstall-64/
-
Can’t uninstall LLAR pluginhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-uninstall-llar-plugin-2/
-
Problem with Backups Containing Limit Login Attempts Reloaded.https://wordpress.org/support/topic/problem-with-backups-containing-limit-login-attempts-reloaded/
-
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded not working?https://wordpress.org/support/topic/limit-login-attempts-reloaded-not-working/
-
3rd party Login form supporthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/3rd-party-login-signup-form-support/
-
Problem with Backups Containing Limit Login Attempts Reloaded.https://wordpress.org/support/topic/problem-with-backups-containing-limit-login-attempts-reloaded-2/
-
Doesn't work as a "Must Use" pluginhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/doesnt-work-as-a-must-use-plugin/
-
Activate Limit Login Attempts Reloadedhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/activate-limit-login-attempts-reloaded/
-
Remove main menu itemhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/remove-main-menu-item/
-
Can’t uninstall LLA originalhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-uninstall-lla-original/
-
WordPress adminstration lockedhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-adminstration-locked/