How to Restore Deleted Content in WordPress

If you’re a dedicated WordPress user, it’s highly likely that you may have accidentally deleted a post or page at some point. This can be an exceedingly frustrating experience, but let us assure you that WordPress provides users with a useful feature called the trash to restore deleted content. Read on for a brief guide on how to restore from trash in WordPress.

What is the Trash in WordPress?

The trash is a unique feature in WordPress that allows users to temporarily store deleted content. Whenever you delete a post, page or comment, it is moved into the trash. From there, users have a maximum of 30 days to restore the content before it is permanently deleted.

How to Restore From Trash in WordPress

Restoring deleted content from the trash in WordPress is an uncomplicated process. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Log In to Your WordPress Dashboard

The initial step is to log into your WordPress dashboard. Go to yourwebsite.com/wp-admin and enter your login details.

Step 2: Go to the Trash

Once you’re logged in, navigate to the trash. To do this, click on the “Posts” or “Pages” menu item (depending on what you want to restore), and then click on “Trash”.

Step 3: Restore the Post or Page

In the trash, you should see a list of all the posts or pages you’ve deleted. To restore a post or page, hover over it and click “Restore”. The post or page will then be moved back to its original location.

If you want to restore multiple posts or pages at once, you can select them using the checkboxes next to their titles, and then click “Bulk Actions” and “Restore”.

Step 4: Check the Post or Page

After restoring a post or page, it’s always advisable to check it to make sure everything appears as it should. You should also check the URL to ensure it’s still the same.

What Happens if You Don’t Restore From the Trash Within 30 Days?

If you don’t restore a post or page from the trash within 30 days, it will be permanently deleted. Once it’s deleted, there’s absolutely no way to recover it.

If you still need the content but have missed the 30-day window, try looking for it in a backup. Most hosting providers offer daily backups of your website, so check with your hosting provider to see if they have a backup you can restore from.

Preventing Accidental Deletions

While it’s always possible to restore deleted content from the trash, it’s best to avoid accidental deletions in the first place. Here are a few tips to help prevent them:

1. Use the Preview Feature: Before publishing a post or page, use the preview feature to ensure everything appears as it should. This can help you catch any mistakes or problems you might have missed.
2. Be Careful When Editing: When editing a post or page, make sure you’re editing the correct one. If you have multiple tabs or windows open, it can be easy to accidentally edit the wrong one.
3. Use a Plugin: Several plugins are available to help you recover deleted content, such as WP-Recycle Bin and Trash Duplicate and 301 Redirect. These plugins can help you restore deleted content even if it’s been permanently deleted.

In conclusion, restoring from trash in WordPress is a simple process. As long as you restore deleted content within 30 days, it can be easily recovered. However, it’s always a good idea to prevent accidental deletions in the first place by using the preview feature, being careful when editing, and using a plugin to help you recover deleted content.