Gutenberg is part of the WordPress core, but that doesn’t mean that disabling Gutenberg it will ruin the CMS and break down your website. Nothing like that will happen, so don’t worry; your site will be fine if you turn off the new editor. WordPress developers are aware that the new editor will face a lot of resistance, as people are generally reluctant to big changes, and they will make sure you can go without Gutenberg. Learn in this guide a simple and effective way to disable the Gutenberg block editor in your WordPress site and keep the classic mode.
WordPress 5.0 Overview
There’s been a lot of noise surrounding this latest WordPress update, and for a good reason. Typically, even major WordPress updates make changes slowly rather than introducing radical new additions. However, WordPress 5.0 brings with it a complete redesign of the editor we all use to create posts, pages, and other content types.
Gutenberg pros and cons
WordPress 5.0 is now officially released. If you update your site to the latest version, the previous WordPress editor you’re familiar with will have been replaced.
The block editor is an intriguing system, but it’s also generated a lot of criticism. As such, some people would prefer not to use it at all. That’s easy to do, using a dedicated plugin created by the core WordPress team (more on this later) to disable gutenberg editor.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether or not the new editor is the right fit for your site. This isn’t a simple choice, unfortunately. However, there are several factors you can consider that should help you make up your mind.
Pros
- It can be a more intuitive content creation system, especially if you like the blocks-based model. You also get a clearer visual picture of what your content will look like. This saves you from having to preview it on the front end endlessly.
- You will get some features not part of the previous WordPress editor. This includes buttons, tables, and columns. If you don’t already use plugins to provide this functionality. The new editor can be a simple way to expand your options.
- The block editor is a part of the WordPress platform now and is the ‘new normal’. This means moving forward, new updates, themes, and plugins of all types will build on it and be based around using it. If you want to ‘future-proof’ your site and get access to the latest tools, you won’t be able to avoid Gutenberg forever.
Cons to Disable Gutenberg Editor
- If you already use a page builder tool to create content. It could be much more comprehensive than the new editor. Therefore, using it could feel like a downgrade. Plus, you may find it challenging to create unique content consistent with your older content.
- While many plugins and theme developers have been working hard to get ready for the new editor, the simple truth is it may not be compatible with the other tools you’re using on your site. This is particularly true if you have any plugins that alter the editor’s functionality in some way.
- The goal of the block editor may be to make editing content more intuitive. However, some people find it overly complicated and ‘busy.’ If you prefer a simple editing experience, where you can write freely without the need to place every part of your page or post into a separate block, the new editor may be frustrating to use.
We do still recommend testing out the editor on a staging version of your site first. This will help you determine whether there are compatibility issues or other errors.
Alternatively, if you don’t like the block editor or are not yet ready to take the plunge, don’t worry. It’s surprisingly easy to use the previous WordPress editor instead and disable Gutenberg.
Additionally, the WordPress core team will continue to support the last WordPress editor until at least the end of 2021, so you won’t encounter any compatibility issues with the core WordPress software when using the Classic Editor. Learn in this guide a simple and effective way to disable the Gutenberg block editor in your WordPress site and keep the classic mode
How To Disable Gutenberg Editor?
First things first – we do not recommend avoiding WordPress 5.0 altogether to keep the old editor. Updating your site is vital for its security and performance. Plus, the new version brings other improvements and additions unrelated to the block editor.
Instead, you should install the Classic Editor plugin. This was created by the core WordPress team as an alternative to the block editor and will be maintained and updated for a few years. Classic Editor
You can install Classic Editor just like any other plugin to disable Gutenberg. Once activated, you’ll use the Classic Editor precisely like you did before upgrading to WordPress 5.0.
New Editor It’s Still There: Disable Gutenberg Editor
However, you also can use the block editor sometimes while still having access to the Classic Editor. To configure this functionality, go to Settings > Writing to disable the block editor in WordPress:
Here, you can select which editor will be the default for all users on your site. This lets you temporarily switch over to the new editor if you like. You can also decide whether to let users switch editors, which is handy if you have a team where everyone has their preference.
If you hover over a page or post title after choosing the latter option, you can open it in either editor. Keep in mind that it may be harder to maintain a consistent visual look if you let people create content in both editors.
If you ever want to use the new block editor permanently, you can deactivate and uninstall this plugin. However, as before, we’d suggest testing the new editor on a staging site first.
Finally, if you do decide to install the Classic Editor plugin, we’d recommend doing so before updating to WordPress 5.0. This will ensure a more seamless experience. It also eliminates the potential for compatibility or formatting errors arising in the brief window that the block editor is active on your site.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of whether you’ve been looking forward to WordPress 5.0, the wait is finally over. Your only decision is how you want to move forward on your site.
While we recommend updating as soon as possible, whether or not you use the new block editor is up to you, and you can disable Gutenberg if you want to.
The new editor can be a more intuitive and comprehensive editing experience and may be a good choice for those who haven’t made many custom changes to their sites.
On the other hand, if you find the new editor distracting, already use a page builder, or are worried about compatibility errors, you can keep using the previous WordPress editor by installing the Classic Editor plugin.
