# How to Disable the WooCommerce Stars Plugin: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
So, you’ve got WooCommerce up and running, and you’re loving it. But maybe that star rating system isn’t quite working for you. Perhaps it’s clashing with your theme, slowing down your site, or you simply prefer a different review system. Whatever the reason, disabling the WooCommerce stars plugin is easier than you might think. This guide will walk you through the process, even if you’re a complete newbie to WordPress and coding.
Understanding Why You Might Want to Disable WooCommerce Stars
Before diving into the *how*, let’s briefly discuss the *why*. There are several perfectly valid reasons to disable the default WooCommerce star rating system:
- Conflicting with your theme: Your beautifully designed theme might not integrate well with the default stars, leading to a messy or unprofessional look. Imagine a restaurant website with a sleek, modern design suddenly marred by clunky, outdated star icons – not a good impression!
- Performance issues: Extra plugins and features can slow down your website. If your star ratings are causing noticeable lag, disabling them can significantly improve your site’s speed and user experience. A slow site means fewer customers and lower search engine rankings.
- Preference for a different system: Maybe you prefer a more sophisticated review system with advanced features like user accounts, photo uploads, or detailed moderation tools. Plenty of excellent review plugins are available on the WordPress repository.
- Accidental Installation: You might have inadvertently installed a plugin that adds star ratings, and you don’t even realize it’s there!
Methods to Disable the WooCommerce Stars Plugin
There are two primary ways to disable the WooCommerce star ratings: deactivating the plugin or disabling the feature through code.
Method 1: Deactivating the Plugin (The Easiest Way)
This is the simplest method, ideal for most users. It involves removing the plugin’s functionality without altering any code.
1. Access your WordPress Dashboard: Log in to your WordPress website and navigate to your admin dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins: In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Plugins”.
3. Locate the Plugin: Find the plugin responsible for the star ratings. It might be named something like “WooCommerce Product Reviews” or similar. If you’re unsure, try temporarily deactivating plugins one by one to see which one removes the stars.
4. Deactivate the Plugin: Click the “Deactivate” link next to the plugin.
5. Check your website: Visit your storefront to verify that the star ratings have disappeared.
Method 2: Disabling the Stars with Code (For Advanced Users)
This method requires a bit more technical knowledge. Proceed with caution! Incorrectly editing your theme files can break your website. Always back up your website before making any code changes.
This method is typically used when the star ratings are part of your theme or a core WooCommerce file, and cannot be removed by simply deactivating a plugin. It often involves adding a small snippet of code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or creating a custom plugin.
Example (Disabling the default WooCommerce rating): This code snippet, added to your theme’s `functions.php` file, will remove the star ratings from product pages:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_get_rating_html', '__return_false' );
Important Note: This code specifically targets the default WooCommerce rating functionality. If you’re using a different plugin for star ratings, the code will need to be adjusted accordingly. You might need to inspect your plugin’s code to understand how to disable its star rating feature. Consult the plugin’s documentation or support channels for assistance.
Choosing the Right Method
For most users, deactivating the plugin (Method 1) is the recommended approach. It’s simple, safe, and requires no coding knowledge. Only resort to modifying code (Method 2) if you’re comfortable with WordPress development and have thoroughly backed up your website. Remember, if you’re unsure, seek help from a WordPress developer or consult your theme’s documentation.
