Many WordPress users dislike Gutenberg block-based interface and still prefer the simplicity of the old editor. I’m one of them. In this guide, I’ll show you a few easy ways to disable Gutenberg and bring back the Classic Editor.”
What is Gutenberg Editor in WordPress?
The Gutenberg Editor was introduced with WordPress 5.0, back in December 2018. It is introducing a block based approach to content creation, that replaced the classic editor. Since then, Gutenberg has been the default editor of WordPress.
Why that name?
The editor is named after Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable-type printing press, who sparked the printing revolution in Europe. WordPress chose the name to reflect a new era of publishing.
Method 1: Use the Classic Editor Plugin
First, let us look at the easiest option. This will be to install a plugin named “Classic Editor“. It restores the good old classic editor that we used to have, before Gutenberg. This is a easy fix that everyone having a WordPress blog should be able to do. More than 9 million WordPress sites use this plugin, making it one of the most popular solutions. With this plugin you have a setting that allows you to choose whether the Classic editor is default or optional. Might be good if your are more editors on your blog.
Method 2: Use the Disable Gutenberg Plugin
The second option is also a plugin, named Disable Gutenberg by Jeff Starr. This plugin disables the Gutenberg Block Editor and restore the Classic Editor. It’s installed on more than 600,000 WordPress sites. This fix, should be easy to implement for everybody.
Method 3: Disable Gutenberg Without Plugins
The last option is my favorite, but it takes some coding skills and you need to be careful. This method involves editing your theme’s functions.php file. On the upside, it’s lightweight solution, because it doesn’t require any plugin. However, you should back up, before making any changes.
It might be a good idea to take a backup, before you move on.
To make this method work, go to: Appearance -> Theme File Editor
Find functions.php under Themes File in the left side of your screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the file and insert the line below. Now you will see the good old editor when writing/editing posts.
Conclusion
Disabling the new editor in WordPress is easier than many people think. Whether you prefer the official Classic Editor plugin, the more flexible Disable Gutenberg plugin, or a lightweight code snippet in functions.php, each method gets you back to the editor you know and love.
For me, the classic editor keeps my writing flow distraction-free and simple – Which give me the full control of my writing. Now the choice is all yours, after I have presented you with option to switch back, and that’s probably why you came here in the first place.
