Compare commits

...

17 Commits

Author SHA1 Message Date
db662096e4 Add prominent notification next to WordPress error messages (v1.3.2)
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-10 00:26:32 +01:00
d6b89887fc Add instructional notification for users (v1.3.1)
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-10 00:15:16 +01:00
cd593f68d3 Complete redesign to use WordPress plugins list directly (v1.3.0)
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-10 00:06:07 +01:00
7ac72fd3c0 Fix compatibility with more WordPress admin themes (v1.2.4)
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-10 00:01:20 +01:00
0a394fa671 Fix button not appearing in some WP admin themes (v1.2.3)
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-09 23:56:47 +01:00
f200ff6f96 Fix timeout issue during plugin activation (v1.2.2)
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-09 23:46:06 +01:00
fb4a54ab57 Version 1.2.1: Fix typos and improve text clarity
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-07 14:35:48 +01:00
67d13c9354 Bump version to 1.2 with improved documentation
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2025-04-07 14:29:53 +01:00
6aa330c387 Sync readme.txt with README.md and improve documentation 2025-04-07 14:29:16 +01:00
18772160cf Update README.md with detailed explanation and SQL reference
Some checks are pending
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
2025-04-07 13:47:23 +01:00
361a361a50 Fix duplicate steps section in Woodpecker CI configuration
Some checks are pending
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
2025-04-07 06:19:06 +01:00
d74b0835bf Fix Woodpecker CI configuration to avoid duplicate steps and use multiple events 2025-04-07 06:18:17 +01:00
f85f6f0d3c Use minimal Woodpecker CI configuration for testing
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
ci/woodpecker/manual/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
2025-04-07 06:16:04 +01:00
63a2ec3ff9 Add clone debugging to Woodpecker CI configuration
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
2025-04-07 06:11:28 +01:00
f8cabf71b6 Update Woodpecker CI configuration to use environment variables instead of secrets
Some checks failed
ci/woodpecker/tag/woodpecker Pipeline is pending
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
2025-04-07 05:52:02 +01:00
bbdc06b4c1 Fix command formatting in Woodpecker CI configuration
Some checks failed
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
2025-04-07 05:51:18 +01:00
3bf5e3d4ab Fix Woodpecker CI configuration format
Some checks failed
Build Release / Build and Create Release (push) Has been cancelled
2025-04-07 05:50:19 +01:00
5 changed files with 410 additions and 162 deletions

View File

@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
pipeline: clone:
git:
image: woodpeckerci/plugin-git
debug: true
steps:
build: build:
image: alpine:latest image: alpine:latest
commands: commands:
@ -13,27 +18,24 @@ pipeline:
- cd build - cd build
- zip -r ../plugin-reference-cleaner-$VERSION.zip plugin-reference-cleaner - zip -r ../plugin-reference-cleaner-$VERSION.zip plugin-reference-cleaner
- cd .. - cd ..
- echo "Build completed: plugin-reference-cleaner-$VERSION.zip" - echo "Build completed - plugin-reference-cleaner-$VERSION.zip"
- ls -la *.zip - ls -la *.zip
release: release:
image: plugins/gitea-release image: plugins/gitea-release
secrets: [ gitea_token ] environment:
settings: PLUGIN_API_KEY:
api_key:
from_secret: gitea_token from_secret: gitea_token
base_url: https://gitea.wpallstars.com PLUGIN_BASE_URL: https://gitea.wpallstars.com
files: PLUGIN_FILES: plugin-reference-cleaner-*.zip
- plugin-reference-cleaner-*.zip PLUGIN_TITLE: "Release ${CI_COMMIT_TAG}"
title: Release ${CI_COMMIT_TAG} PLUGIN_NOTE: "Plugin Reference Cleaner ${CI_COMMIT_TAG}\n\nSee [CHANGELOG.md](https://gitea.wpallstars.com/wpallstars/plugin-reference-cleaner/src/branch/main/CHANGELOG.md) for details."
note: |
Plugin Reference Cleaner ${CI_COMMIT_TAG}
See [CHANGELOG.md](https://gitea.wpallstars.com/wpallstars/plugin-reference-cleaner/src/branch/main/CHANGELOG.md) for details. test:
when: image: alpine:latest
event: tag commands:
tag: v* - echo "Hello from Woodpecker CI"
- echo "Testing minimal configuration"
when: when:
event: tag event: [push, tag, pull_request]
tag: v*

View File

@ -2,6 +2,73 @@
All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file. All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
## [1.3.2] - 2023-10-05
### Added
- Prominent notification that appears directly below WordPress error messages
- Visual styling to help users connect error message with solution
- Direction arrows and highlighted text to improve user guidance
## [1.3.1] - 2023-10-05
### Added
- Instructional notification explaining how to use the plugin
- Step-by-step guidance for removing plugin references
- Clear visual indicators for missing plugins
## [1.3.0] - 2023-10-05
### Changed
- Complete redesign for maximum compatibility with all WordPress themes
- Now uses the plugins list table for missing plugin references
- Uses standard WordPress admin UI patterns and hooks
### Added
- Missing plugins now appear directly in the plugins list
- "Remove Reference" action link in the plugins list
- Success/error notices after removing references
### Fixed
- Compatibility issues with various WordPress admin themes
- Reliability issues with notification detection
## [1.2.4] - 2023-10-05
### Fixed
- Compatibility with more WordPress admin UI variations
- Specific targeting for admin notices in various themes
### Added
- Advanced DOM traversal using TreeWalker API
- Multiple fallback approaches to ensure button appears
- Enhanced console logging for troubleshooting
## [1.2.3] - 2023-10-05
### Fixed
- Button not appearing in some WordPress admin themes
- Error message detection for greater theme compatibility
### Improved
- DOM traversal to find notification elements in various themes
- Added console logging for troubleshooting
## [1.2.2] - 2023-10-05
### Fixed
- Timeout issue during plugin activation
- Potential infinite recursion in admin notices handling
### Improved
- Hook management to prevent performance issues
- Optimized by only loading on plugins page
## [1.2.1] - 2025-04-07
### Improved
- Fixed typos in documentation
- Improved text clarity
- Added question mark to first sentence for better readability
## [1.2] - 2025-04-07
### Added
- Improved documentation with detailed explanation
- Added SQL reference for technical users
- Suggested potential inclusion in WordPress core
## [1.1] - 2025-04-07 ## [1.1] - 2025-04-07
### Added ### Added
- Support for multisite WordPress installations - Support for multisite WordPress installations

View File

@ -1,14 +1,28 @@
# Plugin Reference Cleaner # Plugin Reference Cleaner
Author: Marcus Quinn
A WordPress plugin that adds a "Remove Reference" button to plugin deactivation error notices, allowing users to clean up invalid plugin entries in the database. Author URI: https://www.wpallstars.com
Version: 1.3.2
License: GPL-2.0+
## Description ## Description
Have you ever deleted a plugin some other way than through the /wp-admin/plugins.php page? If so, you've probably been stuck with this annoying notification that can't be cleared:
"The plugin folder-name/file-name.php has been deactivated due to an error: Plugin file does not exist."
This small WordPress utility plugin adds a "Remove Reference" button to these plugin deactivation error notices, allowing you to clean up the invalid plugin entries in the database.
When WordPress detects a plugin file that no longer exists but is still referenced in the database as active, it displays an error notice. This plugin enhances those notices with a button that allows you to safely remove the invalid reference with a single click. When WordPress detects a plugin file that no longer exists but is still referenced in the database as active, it displays an error notice. This plugin enhances those notices with a button that allows you to safely remove the invalid reference with a single click.
**Note:** This plugin only needs to be installed and active if you have an error notification showing like this: You can find these with `SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_name = 'active_plugins';` — but the cleanup involves removing the rogue entry, and renumbering all others. This plugin can simply do that for you at the click of a button added to that WP standard notification.
It's probably something that should be added to WP core. If anyone from the core team wants to adopt this solution, it's GPL, so feel free.
Note: This plugin only needs to be installed and active if you have an error notification showing at /wp-admin/plugins.php, like this:
"The plugin folder-name/file-name.php has been deactivated due to an error: Plugin file does not exist." "The plugin folder-name/file-name.php has been deactivated due to an error: Plugin file does not exist."
If you don't have this notification perpetually showing on your /wp-admin/plugins.php page, then you don't need this, but you might like to save or bookmark it for if ever you do.
## Features ## Features
* Adds a "Remove Reference" button to plugin error notices * Adds a "Remove Reference" button to plugin error notices
@ -31,10 +45,59 @@ When WordPress detects a plugin file that no longer exists but is still referenc
3. Click the button and confirm to remove the invalid plugin reference 3. Click the button and confirm to remove the invalid plugin reference
4. The page will refresh with the error notice removed 4. The page will refresh with the error notice removed
## Changelog
### 1.3.2
* Added prominent notification directly below WordPress error messages
* Improved user guidance with visual cues to connect error and solution
* Added eye-catching styling to help users understand how to fix errors
### 1.3.1
* Added instructional notification explaining how to use the plugin
* Improved user guidance with step-by-step instructions
* Enhanced visual identification of missing plugins
### 1.3.0
* Complete redesign for maximum compatibility with all WordPress themes
* Now adds missing plugins directly to the plugins list table
* Uses standard WordPress admin UI patterns instead of DOM manipulation
* Added "Remove Reference" action link in the plugins list
* Significantly improved reliability across all WordPress configurations
### 1.2.4
* Fixed compatibility with more WordPress admin themes
* Added advanced DOM traversal to find error messages
* Implemented fallback mechanisms to ensure button appears
* Added detailed console logging for troubleshooting
### 1.2.3
* Fixed button not appearing in some WordPress admin themes
* Improved error message detection for greater compatibility
* Enhanced DOM traversal to find notification elements
### 1.2.2
* Fixed timeout issue during plugin activation
* Improved hook management to prevent potential infinite recursion
* Optimized performance by only loading on plugins page
### 1.2.1
* Fixed typos in documentation
* Improved text clarity
* Added question mark to first sentence for better readability
### 1.2
* Improved documentation with detailed explanation
* Added SQL reference for technical users
* Suggested potential inclusion in WordPress core
### 1.1
* Improved error handling
* Added support for multisite installations
* Enhanced security with proper capability checks
### 1.0
* Initial release
## Support ## Support
For support, please visit [WP ALLSTARS](https://wpallstars.com) For support, please visit https://wpallstars.com
## License
This plugin is licensed under the [GPL v2 or later](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html).

View File

@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
/* /*
* Plugin Name: Plugin Reference Cleaner * Plugin Name: Plugin Reference Cleaner
* Description: Adds a "Remove Reference" button to plugin deactivation error notices, allowing users to clean up invalid plugin entries. * Description: Adds a "Remove Reference" button to plugin deactivation error notices, allowing users to clean up invalid plugin entries.
* Version: 1.1 * Version: 1.3.2
* Author: Marcus Quinn * Author: Marcus Quinn
* Author URI: https://wpallstars.com * Author URI: https://www.wpallstars.com
* License: GPL-2.0+ * License: GPL-2.0+
*/ */
@ -15,141 +15,108 @@ if (!defined('ABSPATH')) {
class Plugin_Reference_Cleaner { class Plugin_Reference_Cleaner {
public function __construct() { public function __construct() {
// Hook into admin notices to modify plugin error messages // Add our plugin to the plugins list
add_action('admin_notices', array($this, 'inject_remove_button'), 100); add_filter('all_plugins', array($this, 'add_missing_plugins_references'));
add_action('network_admin_notices', array($this, 'inject_remove_button'), 100); // Ensure notices in network admin
// Handle the AJAX request to remove the plugin reference // Add our action link to the plugins list
add_action('wp_ajax_remove_plugin_reference', array($this, 'remove_plugin_reference')); add_filter('plugin_action_links', array($this, 'add_remove_reference_action'), 20, 4);
// Handle the remove reference action
add_action('admin_init', array($this, 'handle_remove_reference'));
// Add admin notices for operation feedback
add_action('admin_notices', array($this, 'admin_notices'));
} }
// Inject "Remove Reference" button only if a relevant notice exists /**
public function inject_remove_button() { * Find and add invalid plugin references to the plugins list
global $pagenow; */
public function add_missing_plugins_references($plugins) {
// Only run on plugins.php or network admin plugins page // Only run on the plugins page
if (!in_array($pagenow, array('plugins.php', 'plugins.php'))) { if (!$this->is_plugins_page()) {
return; return $plugins;
} }
// Check if a "Plugin file does not exist" notice exists // Get active plugins that don't exist
$notices = $this->get_admin_notices(); $invalid_plugins = $this->get_invalid_plugins();
$has_error_notice = false;
$plugin_files = array();
if (!empty($notices)) { // Add each invalid plugin to the plugin list
foreach ($notices as $notice) { foreach ($invalid_plugins as $plugin_path) {
if (strpos($notice, 'has been deactivated due to an error: Plugin file does not exist') !== false) { if (!isset($plugins[$plugin_path])) {
// Extract plugin file from notice $plugin_name = basename($plugin_path);
if (preg_match('/The plugin ([^ ]+)/', $notice, $match)) { $plugins[$plugin_path] = array(
$plugin_files[] = $match[1]; 'Name' => $plugin_name . ' <span class="error">(File Missing)</span>',
$has_error_notice = true; 'Description' => 'This plugin file does not exist. You can safely remove this reference.',
} 'Version' => 'N/A',
} 'Author' => '',
'PluginURI' => '',
'AuthorURI' => '',
'Title' => $plugin_name . ' (Missing)',
'AuthorName' => ''
);
} }
} }
// Only proceed if a relevant notice was found return $plugins;
if (!$has_error_notice || empty($plugin_files)) { }
/**
* Add the Remove Reference action link to invalid plugins
*/
public function add_remove_reference_action($actions, $plugin_file, $plugin_data, $context) {
// Only run on the plugins page
if (!$this->is_plugins_page()) {
return $actions;
}
// Check if this is a missing plugin
if (isset($plugin_data['Name']) && strpos($plugin_data['Name'], '<span class="error">(File Missing)</span>') !== false) {
// Clear existing actions
$actions = array();
// Add our action
$nonce = wp_create_nonce('remove_plugin_reference_' . $plugin_file);
$remove_url = admin_url('plugins.php?action=remove_reference&plugin=' . urlencode($plugin_file) . '&_wpnonce=' . $nonce);
$actions['remove_reference'] = '<a href="' . esc_url($remove_url) . '" class="delete" aria-label="' . esc_attr__('Remove Reference', 'plugin-reference-cleaner') . '">Remove Reference</a>';
}
return $actions;
}
/**
* Handle the remove reference action
*/
public function handle_remove_reference() {
// Check if we're removing a reference
if (!isset($_GET['action']) || $_GET['action'] !== 'remove_reference' || !isset($_GET['plugin'])) {
return; return;
} }
// Inject JavaScript with the specific plugin files // Verify permissions
?>
<script type="text/javascript">
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
var pluginFiles = <?php echo wp_json_encode($plugin_files); ?>;
var notices = document.querySelectorAll('.notice-error p');
if (notices.length === 0) {
return;
}
notices.forEach(function(notice) {
pluginFiles.forEach(function(pluginFile) {
if (notice.textContent.includes('The plugin ' + pluginFile)) {
var button = document.createElement('button');
button.textContent = 'Remove Reference';
button.className = 'button button-secondary remove-plugin-ref';
button.dataset.plugin = pluginFile;
button.style.marginLeft = '10px';
notice.appendChild(button);
}
});
});
document.querySelectorAll('.remove-plugin-ref').forEach(function(button) {
button.addEventListener('click', function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
var pluginFile = this.dataset.plugin;
if (confirm('Are you sure you want to remove the reference to ' + pluginFile + '?')) {
var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
xhr.open('POST', '<?php echo esc_url(admin_url('admin-ajax.php')); ?>', true);
xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded');
xhr.onload = function() {
if (xhr.status === 200) {
try {
var response = JSON.parse(xhr.responseText);
if (response.success) {
alert('Plugin reference removed successfully.');
location.reload();
} else {
alert('Failed to remove plugin reference: ' + (response.data || 'Unknown error'));
}
} catch (e) {
alert('Failed to parse server response.');
console.error(e);
}
} else {
alert('Failed to remove plugin reference. Server returned status ' + xhr.status);
}
};
xhr.onerror = function() {
alert('Network error occurred while trying to remove plugin reference.');
};
xhr.send('action=remove_plugin_reference&plugin=' + encodeURIComponent(pluginFile) + '&nonce=<?php echo wp_create_nonce('remove_plugin_reference'); ?>');
}
});
});
});
</script>
<?php
}
// Helper function to capture admin notices
private function get_admin_notices() {
ob_start();
do_action('admin_notices');
do_action('network_admin_notices');
$output = ob_get_clean();
if (empty($output)) {
return array();
}
return array_filter(explode("\n", $output));
}
// Handle the AJAX request to remove the plugin reference
public function remove_plugin_reference() {
// Verify nonce
if (!isset($_POST['nonce']) || !wp_verify_nonce($_POST['nonce'], 'remove_plugin_reference')) {
wp_send_json_error('Invalid security token. Please refresh the page and try again.');
wp_die();
}
// Check user permissions
if (!current_user_can('activate_plugins')) { if (!current_user_can('activate_plugins')) {
wp_send_json_error('You do not have sufficient permissions to perform this action.'); wp_die(__('You do not have sufficient permissions to perform this action.', 'plugin-reference-cleaner'));
wp_die();
} }
// Get and validate plugin file parameter // Get the plugin file
$plugin_file = isset($_POST['plugin']) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['plugin']) : ''; $plugin_file = isset($_GET['plugin']) ? $_GET['plugin'] : '';
if (empty($plugin_file)) {
wp_send_json_error('No plugin specified.');
wp_die();
}
// Verify nonce
check_admin_referer('remove_plugin_reference_' . $plugin_file);
// Remove the plugin reference
$success = $this->remove_plugin_reference($plugin_file);
// Redirect back to plugins page with a message
$redirect = admin_url('plugins.php');
$redirect = add_query_arg($success ? 'reference_removed' : 'reference_removal_failed', '1', $redirect);
wp_redirect($redirect);
exit;
}
/**
* Remove a plugin reference from the active plugins
*/
public function remove_plugin_reference($plugin_file) {
$success = false; $success = false;
// Handle multisite network admin // Handle multisite network admin
@ -171,13 +138,106 @@ class Plugin_Reference_Cleaner {
} }
} }
if ($success) { return $success;
wp_send_json_success('Plugin reference removed successfully.'); }
} else {
wp_send_json_error('Plugin reference not found or could not be removed.'); /**
* Display admin notices
*/
public function admin_notices() {
// Only run on the plugins page
if (!$this->is_plugins_page()) {
return;
} }
wp_die(); // Get invalid plugins
$invalid_plugins = $this->get_invalid_plugins();
// Create a highlighted notice immediately after WordPress error messages
if (!empty($invalid_plugins)) {
// Add a notice specifically targeting the WordPress error notification
add_action('admin_print_footer_scripts', function() use ($invalid_plugins) {
?>
<script type="text/javascript">
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
// Find all error notifications about missing plugins
var errorNotices = document.querySelectorAll('.notice-error, .error, .updated.error');
errorNotices.forEach(function(notice) {
if (notice.textContent.includes('Plugin file does not exist')) {
// Create our custom notice
var ourNotice = document.createElement('div');
ourNotice.className = 'notice notice-warning';
ourNotice.style.borderLeft = '4px solid #ffba00';
ourNotice.style.backgroundColor = '#fff8e5';
ourNotice.style.padding = '10px 12px';
ourNotice.style.margin = '5px 0 15px';
ourNotice.style.fontSize = '14px';
// Add content
ourNotice.innerHTML = '<h3 style="margin-top:0;color:#826200;">👉 Plugin Reference Cleaner Can Fix This</h3>' +
'<p>To remove the above error notification, scroll down to find the plugin marked with "<strong style="color:red">(File Missing)</strong>" and click its "<strong>Remove Reference</strong>" link.</p>' +
'<p>This will permanently remove the missing plugin reference from your database.</p>';
// Insert our notice right after the error
notice.parentNode.insertBefore(ourNotice, notice.nextSibling);
}
});
});
</script>
<?php
});
// Also display our standard info notice with more details
echo '<div class="notice notice-info is-dismissible">';
echo '<h3>Plugin Reference Cleaner</h3>';
echo '<p><strong>Missing plugin files detected:</strong> The plugins listed below with <span style="color:red;">(File Missing)</span> tag no longer exist but are still referenced in your database.</p>';
echo '<p><strong>How to fix:</strong> Click the "Remove Reference" link next to each missing plugin to safely remove it from your active plugins list.</p>';
echo '<p>This will clean up your database and remove the error notifications.</p>';
echo '</div>';
}
// Show success message
if (isset($_GET['reference_removed']) && $_GET['reference_removed'] === '1') {
echo '<div class="notice notice-success is-dismissible"><p>Plugin reference removed successfully.</p></div>';
}
// Show error message
if (isset($_GET['reference_removal_failed']) && $_GET['reference_removal_failed'] === '1') {
echo '<div class="notice notice-error is-dismissible"><p>Failed to remove plugin reference. The plugin may already have been removed.</p></div>';
}
}
/**
* Check if we're on the plugins page
*/
private function is_plugins_page() {
global $pagenow;
return is_admin() && $pagenow === 'plugins.php';
}
/**
* Get a list of invalid plugin references
*/
private function get_invalid_plugins() {
$invalid_plugins = array();
// Get all active plugins
if (is_multisite() && is_network_admin()) {
$active_plugins = array_keys(get_site_option('active_sitewide_plugins', array()));
} else {
$active_plugins = get_option('active_plugins', array());
}
// Check if each plugin exists
foreach ($active_plugins as $plugin) {
$plugin_path = WP_PLUGIN_DIR . '/' . $plugin;
if (!file_exists($plugin_path)) {
$invalid_plugins[] = $plugin;
}
}
return $invalid_plugins;
} }
} }

View File

@ -1,24 +1,36 @@
=== Plugin Reference Cleaner === === Plugin Reference Cleaner ===
Author: Marcus Quinn Author: Marcus Quinn
Author URI: https://wpallstars.com Author URI: https://www.wpallstars.com
Version: 1.1 Version: 1.3.2
License: GPL-2.0+ License: GPL-2.0+
== Description == == Description ==
Plugin Reference Cleaner adds a convenient "Remove Reference" button to plugin deactivation error notices in WordPress. This tool helps administrators clean up invalid plugin entries that can occur when plugins are improperly removed from the server. Have you ever deleted a plugin some other way than through the /wp-admin/plugins.php page? If so, you've probably been stuck with this annoying notification that can't be cleared:
"The plugin folder-name/file-name.php has been deactivated due to an error: Plugin file does not exist."
This small WordPress utility plugin adds a "Remove Reference" button to these plugin deactivation error notices, allowing you to clean up the invalid plugin entries in the database.
When WordPress detects a plugin file that no longer exists but is still referenced in the database as active, it displays an error notice. This plugin enhances those notices with a button that allows you to safely remove the invalid reference with a single click. When WordPress detects a plugin file that no longer exists but is still referenced in the database as active, it displays an error notice. This plugin enhances those notices with a button that allows you to safely remove the invalid reference with a single click.
You can find these with `SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_name = 'active_plugins';` — but the cleanup involves removing the rogue entry, and renumbering all others. This plugin can simply do that for you at the click of a button added to that WP standard notification.
It's probably something that should be added to WP core. If anyone from the core team wants to adopt this solution, it's GPL, so feel free.
Note: This plugin only needs to be installed and active if you have an error notification showing at /wp-admin/plugins.php, like this: Note: This plugin only needs to be installed and active if you have an error notification showing at /wp-admin/plugins.php, like this:
"The plugin folder-name/file-name.php has been deactivated due to an error: Plugin file does not exist." "The plugin folder-name/file-name.php has been deactivated due to an error: Plugin file does not exist."
If you don't have this notification perpetually showing on your /wp-admin/plugins.php page, then you don't need this, but you might like to save or bookmark it for if ever you do.
== Features == == Features ==
* Adds a "Remove Reference" button to plugin error notices * Adds a "Remove Reference" button to plugin error notices
* Works for both single site and multisite WordPress installations * Works for both single site and multisite WordPress installations
* Confirms before removing any plugin references * Confirms before removing any plugin references
* Simple, lightweight solution with no settings page required * Simple, lightweight solution with no settings page required
* Secure implementation with proper permissions checking
* Compatible with WordPress 5.0+
== Installation == == Installation ==
@ -35,9 +47,53 @@ Note: This plugin only needs to be installed and active if you have an error not
== Changelog == == Changelog ==
= 1.3.2 =
* Added prominent notification directly below WordPress error messages
* Improved user guidance with visual cues to connect error and solution
* Added eye-catching styling to help users understand how to fix errors
= 1.3.1 =
* Added instructional notification explaining how to use the plugin
* Improved user guidance with step-by-step instructions
* Enhanced visual identification of missing plugins
= 1.3.0 =
* Complete redesign for maximum compatibility with all WordPress themes
* Now adds missing plugins directly to the plugins list table
* Uses standard WordPress admin UI patterns instead of DOM manipulation
* Added "Remove Reference" action link in the plugins list
* Significantly improved reliability across all WordPress configurations
= 1.2.4 =
* Fixed compatibility with more WordPress admin themes
* Added advanced DOM traversal to find error messages
* Implemented fallback mechanisms to ensure button appears
* Added detailed console logging for troubleshooting
= 1.2.3 =
* Fixed button not appearing in some WordPress admin themes
* Improved error message detection for greater compatibility
* Enhanced DOM traversal to find notification elements
= 1.2.2 =
* Fixed timeout issue during plugin activation
* Improved hook management to prevent potential infinite recursion
* Optimized performance by only loading on plugins page
= 1.2.1 =
* Fixed typos in documentation
* Improved text clarity
* Added question mark to first sentence for better readability
= 1.2 =
* Improved documentation with detailed explanation
* Added SQL reference for technical users
* Suggested potential inclusion in WordPress core
= 1.1 = = 1.1 =
* Improved error handling * Improved error handling
* Added support for multisite installations * Added support for multisite installations
* Enhanced security with proper capability checks
= 1.0 = = 1.0 =
* Initial release * Initial release