Accidentally deleting a WordPress category can be troublesome, especially if you have numerous posts associated with it. Fortunately, there are ways to undelete a WordPress category and address this issue.
Undelete a WordPress Category
Here are some effective solutions and suggestions to help you recover a deleted category in WordPress.
1. Check for Trash (Note: WordPress does not have a built-in trash feature for categories)
While WordPress provides a trash feature for posts and pages, it does not have one for categories. However, it’s still worth checking if the posts associated with the deleted category are in the trash:
- Go to Posts > All Posts.
- Click on the Trash tab to see if any posts linked to the deleted category are there. Restore any relevant posts to regain their content.
Also Read: Four Methods to Delete All Comments From WordPress
2. Restore from Backup
Regular backups are a lifesaver in situations like this. If you have a recent backup of your WordPress site, you can restore it to recover the deleted category:
- Backup Plugin: Use your backup plugin to restore the site. Popular plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Jetpack offer restore options.
- Hosting Provider: Many hosting providers offer backup and restore services. Access your hosting control panel and follow the instructions to restore your site from a previous backup.
3.Recreate the Category Manually
If a backup is not available, you can manually recreate the category and reassign posts:
Create New Category:
- Navigate to Posts > Categories.
- Create a new category with the same name as the deleted one.
Reassign Posts:
- Edit each post that was in the deleted category and assign it to the newly created category.
4. Use phpMyAdmin to Restore the Category
Advanced users can use phpMyAdmin to restore the deleted category if the data still exists in the database:
Access phpMyAdmin:
- Log in to your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin.
Locate the Categories Table:
- Find the wp_terms table (table prefix might vary).
Search for the Category:
- Search for the deleted category by name or ID. If found, you can change its status to restore it.
Also Read: How to Backup, Restore, and do SEO of your Job Listings Site
5. Utilize Plugins
Some WordPress plugins might help in managing and recovering categories:
- WP Reset: Helps manage site reset and restore points.
- Category Recovery Plugins: Although not common, look for plugins that might offer category management and recovery features.
Recovering a deleted WordPress category can be challenging, but with regular backups and the right tools, it is manageable. Always ensure you have a robust backup strategy in place to avoid such issues in the future.
Need assistance with WordPress development? Contact Wbcom Designs for expert help and support in managing your WordPress site effectively.
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How to Restore a WordPress Website From Backup
