What You’ll Accomplish
- Install plugins from WordPress.org or ZIP files on multiple sites
- Activate and deactivate plugins across selected sites
- Delete unused plugins from child sites
- Update plugins individually or in bulk
- Configure automatic updates for trusted plugins
Prerequisites
- MainWP Dashboard installed and activated
- At least one child site connected to your Dashboard
- A Dashboard user account with the required plugin management permissions
Install Plugins
MainWP Dashboard provides two built-in methods for installing plugins. If the MainWP Favorites Extension is installed, a third option is available:Install from WordPress.org
1
Navigate to Install Plugins
Go to MainWP > Plugins > Install Plugins.
2
Search for plugin
Under the Install from WordPress.org tab, use the Search plugins field to find the plugin.
3
Select plugin
Locate the plugin in the search results and select Install Plugin.
4
Select sites
In the Select Sites box, choose the sites where you want to install the plugin.
5
Set installation options
Configure the installation options:
6
Install
Click Complete Installation.
Install by Upload
1
Navigate to Install Plugins
Go to MainWP > Plugins > Install Plugins.
2
Open upload tab
Click the Upload .zip file tab.
3
Upload file
Click Upload Now and select the plugin ZIP file from your computer.
4
Select sites
In the Select Sites box, choose the sites where you want to install the plugin.
5
Set installation options
Configure the installation options:
6
Install
Click Complete Installation.
Your server must allow uploads of the plugin’s file size. Check PHP Upload Max Filesize and PHP Post Max Size on your Server Information page.
Install from Favorites
Select and install plugins from your saved favorites using the MainWP Favorites Extension. Once you have a list of favorite plugins, this provides the quickest way to set up new sites.Activate Plugins
1
Navigate to Manage Plugins
Go to MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins.
2
Select view
From the dropdown menu, select Show Plugins per Site or Show Plugins per Item.
3
Filter inactive plugins
In the Select Status section, select Inactive. Optionally enter a plugin name under Search Options.
4
Select sites
In the Select Sites box, choose the sites to search.
5
Search
Click Show Plugins.
6
Select plugins to activate
Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to activate.
7
Apply action
In the Bulk Actions menu, select Activate and click Apply.
Deactivate Plugins
1
Navigate to Manage Plugins
Go to MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins.
2
Select view
From the dropdown menu, select Show Plugins per Site or Show Plugins per Item.
3
Filter active plugins
In the Select Status section, select Active. Optionally enter a plugin name under Search Options.
4
Select sites
In the Select Sites box, choose the sites to search.
5
Search
Click Show Plugins.
6
Select plugins to deactivate
Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to deactivate.
7
Apply action
In the Bulk Actions menu, select Deactivate and click Apply.
Delete Plugins
You can delete active and inactive plugins. If a selected plugin is active, MainWP deactivates it during deletion.1
Navigate to Manage Plugins
Go to MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins.
2
Select view
From the dropdown menu, select Show Plugins per Site or Show Plugins per Item.
3
Filter plugins by status
In the Select Status section, select Active, Inactive, or Active & Inactive. Optionally enter a plugin name under Search Options.
4
Select sites
In the Select Sites box, choose the sites to search.
5
Search
Click Show Plugins.
6
Select plugins to delete
Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to delete.
7
Apply action
In the Bulk Actions menu, select Delete and click Apply.
Update Plugins
Synchronize your child sites before running updates to ensure all available updates are displayed.Update All Plugins on All Sites
1
Navigate to Plugin Updates
Go to MainWP > Updates > Plugins.
2
Update all
Click Update All Plugins.
3
Confirm
Confirm the update when prompted.
Update a Single Plugin on All Sites
1
Navigate to Plugin Updates
Go to MainWP > Updates > Plugins.
2
Select view
Select Show updates per Item.
3
Locate plugin
Find the plugin you want to update.
4
Update
Click Update All in the plugin row.
Update All Plugins on a Single Site
1
Navigate to Plugin Updates
Go to MainWP > Updates > Plugins.
2
Select view
Select Show updates per Site.
3
Locate site
Find the child site you want to update.
4
Update
Click Update in the site row.
Update a Single Plugin on a Single Site
1
Navigate to Plugin Updates
Go to MainWP > Updates > Plugins.
2
Select view
Select Show updates per Site.
3
Locate site
Find the child site and expand its row.
4
Update plugin
Find the plugin and click Update.
View Plugin History
Use the History action to review plugin change activity by site and by day.1
Open a plugin row with History
Open plugin rows in MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins, MainWP > Updates > Plugins, or plugin rows on an individual site Operations page.
2
Open the history modal
Click History in the plugin row.
3
Review activity details
Review actions in chronological order. Each record shows the action, user, source (Dashboard or WP Admin), timestamp, and version change when available.
4
Switch history views
Use Day History to group actions by date, then use Plugin History to switch to plugin-grouped actions for that day.
5
Load older records
Click Load More in the modal to display earlier activity.
If no logs are available, you may see “This plugin has no recorded activity in Dashboard Insights.” Check Network Activity and Dashboard Insights settings to confirm logging and retention are configured.
Configure Automatic Updates
Automatic updates require two configuration steps: enabling the feature and marking plugins as trusted.Enable Auto Updates
1
Navigate to Settings
Go to MainWP > Settings > General Settings.
2
Find Updates Settings
Locate the Updates Settings section.
3
Enable
Set Plugin advanced automatic updates to Install Trusted Updates.
4
Save
Click Save Settings.
Mark Plugins as Trusted
1
Navigate to Advanced Auto Updates
Go to MainWP > Plugins > Advanced Auto Updates.
2
Filter plugins
Use Plugin Status to Search, the trust-status dropdown under Search Options, and the Plugin name field to find plugins.
3
Search
Click Show Plugins.
4
Select plugins
Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to trust.
5
Apply trust
Select Mark as Trusted from the Bulk Actions menu and click Apply.
Marking a plugin as Trusted allows MainWP Dashboard to update it automatically when plugin advanced automatic updates are enabled.
Auto Updates Timing
- Advanced automatic updates delay controls how many days MainWP Dashboard waits before applying detected updates. The default is 1 day, and the available values range from Delay off to 30 days.
- Frequency of automatic updates controls whether the process runs daily, weekly, or monthly, along with its scheduled day and time.
- WP Cron must run for the scheduled automatic update process to start and continue.
Self-Check Checklist
- Plugins install successfully on selected sites
- Plugin activation and deactivation work across sites
- Plugin updates complete without errors
- Auto updates are configured for trusted plugins
- Deleted plugins are removed from child sites
Related Resources
- Check for Abandoned Plugins - Identify outdated plugins
- Favorites Extension - Quick plugin installation from saved lists
- Manage Updates - Update management overview