Sometimes things get messy. Maybe your site got out of hand. Or maybe you’re just ready for a fresh start. Whatever your reason, resetting your WordPress site to factory settings is like hitting a big, beautiful reset button. And if you’re using Hostinger, you’re in luck—because it’s super easy.
TL;DR
Factory resetting a WordPress site on Hostinger is like cleaning the slate—you’re deleting everything and starting fresh. You can do it manually or by using a plugin. Steps include making a backup, wiping your database, and reinstalling WordPress. Follow the guide below for a smooth, safe reset!
⚠️ Before You Begin: Backup, Backup, Backup!
Resetting your site will erase everything—your posts, themes, plugins, and settings.
So, before you go full “burn it down,” make sure to back it up. Hostinger has built-in backup tools you can use:
- Log in to your Hostinger hPanel
- Go to Backups under the Files section
- Click Generate new backup
This ensures you can restore your site if things don’t go as planned.
Option 1: Use a Plugin – Fast & Easy
If you love easy buttons and hate digging through settings, let’s go with a plugin. One of the best plugins for resetting is WP Reset. It’s free and takes just minutes to use.
Steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for “WP Reset“
- Click Install, then Activate
Once it’s running:
- Go to Tools > WP Reset
- Scroll down to the reset section
- Type reset in the confirmation box
- Click the big red Reset Site button
Your site will reload. Boom. Clean slate.
Note: This resets your posts, pages, custom post types, users, and basic settings. But it leaves your themes and plugins installed (just deactivated).
Option 2: Manual Reset – For the Brave 💪
If you want full control or just love doing things the hardcore way, this is for you. You’re going to delete the database and reinstall WordPress. It sounds scary—but don’t worry. You’ve got this!
Step 1: Delete WordPress Files
Start by wiping your site clean:
- Log in to your Hostinger account
- Open your hPanel
- Go to File Manager
- Find your WordPress directory (usually
public_html) - Select all files and hit Delete
This removes everything—bye bye WordPress files.
Step 2: Drop Your Database
Now it’s time to clear the data:
- In the hPanel, go to MySQL Databases
- Find your WordPress database
- Click Delete next to it
Database = nuked. 🎇
Step 3: Create a New Database
To restart, you need a fresh database:
- Still in MySQL Databases, create a new database
- Write down the database name, username, and password
You’ll need these during installation later.
Step 4: Reinstall WordPress
Ready for a fresh start?
- Go back to hPanel
- Click Auto Installer
- Select WordPress
- Fill in the details (use the new database info you created)
After a minute or two, your new WordPress site will be ready to go. 🎉
What Happens After a Reset?
Now you’re working with a blank canvas. Here’s what you need to do:
- Pick or install a theme
- Reinstall and activate your plugins
- Customize your settings
- Start creating content from scratch
Pro Tip: Keep things lean! Only install the plugins and tools you really need.
Why Reset a WordPress Site?
You might be wondering, “But why would I even reset?”
Here are some smart reasons:
- You’re redesigning or overhauling your site
- You want to test new themes or plugins safely
- You’re giving your site to a client or another team
- Too many bugs or fatal errors that are hard to undo
Basically, if your site feels like a tangled mess, a reset gets you back to zero.
How to Be Sure a Reset Is Right for You
Before going full reset mode, ask yourself:
- Have I tried fixing the issues another way?
- Do I have a recent backup ready?
- Am I ready to lose all content and settings?
If the answer to all of the above is yes, it’s go time!
Tips After Resetting
- Install a security plugin – Try Wordfence or Sucuri
- Use a good caching plugin – Improves speed
- Limit plugins – Too many cause clutter and slow things down
- Schedule backups – Just in case you ever need a reset again!
Bonus: Use a Staging Site Next Time
Want to test changes without blowing up your live site? Use a staging environment.
Hostinger offers this under WordPress > Staging in the hPanel. Think of it like a safe sandbox where you can break things and no one will notice.
Final Thoughts
Resetting a WordPress site on Hostinger is easier than you think. Whether you use a plugin or do it manually, the process is smooth and safe—as long as you back things up first.
Now you’re ready to rebuild, rebrand, or just breathe again.
Happy WordPressing, hero! 🦸
