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Free Plugin by Marcus (aka @msykes) v1.3

WP Safe Mode

Disable plugins or switch themes for just you or the whole site for debugging, troubleshooting or accessing and restoring a broken website.

WP Safe Mode

The facts

Rating
4.3★ from 8
Active installs
2k+
Price
Free
Last updated
23 May 2026
Added
Sep 2018
Requires WP
4.6
Tested up to
WP 7.0.4
Requires PHP
5.2.6
Downloads
25,491

Our analysis

AI-assisted

WP Safe Mode is a WordPress plugin designed to help you troubleshoot issues related to plugins or themes by allowing you to temporarily disable them or switch themes. It provides a way to view your site with certain elements disabled without affecting the experience of other visitors.

The plugin includes features such as admin bar shortcuts for enabling Safe Mode, the ability to restrict Safe Mode to specific IP addresses, and support for MultiSite installations. It also offers a loader file that can be used via FTP to access a site that is otherwise inaccessible due to PHP errors.

Best for: This plugin is suitable for WordPress site administrators who need to troubleshoot issues without disrupting site visitors.

What it does well

  • Allows temporary disabling of plugins and themes
  • Includes admin bar shortcuts for easy access
  • Supports MultiSite installations
  • No personal data is used or stored
  • Provides a loader file for inaccessible sites

Where it falls short

  • Limited information on specific compatibility with themes or plugins
  • No details on support or documentation available

Verdict

WP Safe Mode offers useful troubleshooting capabilities for WordPress users. It is a practical tool for managing site issues, particularly in a MultiSite environment.

From the developer

Marcus (aka @msykes)'s own description of WP Safe Mode, lightly tidied.

WP Safe Mode allows you to view your site temporarily with certain plugins disabled/enabled as well as switching to another theme.

This is particularly useful if you are experiencing problems with a specific plugin or theme and need troubleshoot without it affecting the rest of your site visitors.

Additionally, a loader file can be directly installed via FTP to help you access an inaccessible site due to PHP errors (e.g. blank screens or white screen of death) to help restore it from the admin panel.

Main Features

  • Enter Safe Mode for just yourself whilst logged in.
  • Enable Safe Mode for the whole site.
  • Admin Bar shortcuts for enabling/disabling Safe Mode.
  • Restrict Safe Mode to certain IP addresses.
  • Automatic installation (if file permissions allow).
  • Fallback to a default WordPress theme or one of your choice in Safe Mode.
  • Prevent or allow Must-Use plugins from loading in Safe-Mode.
  • Handy loader file via FTP when your site is completely inaccessible.
  • MultiSite Support
    • Network-wide Safe Mode (for just you, or everyone)
    • Restrict Network-wide Safe Mode to certain IP address
    • Override Network-wide Safe Mode settings for an individual site
    • Network Admins can deactivate Network-Active and Must-Use plugins.
    • Allow individual site admins from enabling safe mode for their own site.

    Data Privacy and GDPR Compliance

    No personal data is used or stored by this plugin. For those entering user-only mode, a cookie is loaded to identify that user.

    Read the full description on the official page →

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