# How to Disable WooCommerce Product Ratings: A Beginner’s Guide
Are you tired of those star ratings on your WooCommerce products? Maybe you’re just starting out and don’t want reviews yet, or perhaps you’re revamping your store and want a cleaner look. Whatever the reason, disabling WooCommerce product ratings is easier than you think. This guide will walk you through several methods, from the simplest plugin solutions to direct code edits.
Why Disable WooCommerce Product Ratings?
There are several valid reasons why you might want to disable product ratings:
- New Store: If your store is brand new, collecting reviews might feel overwhelming initially. Disabling ratings until you have a more established product Read more about How To Add Product In Woocommerce Plugin In WordPress catalog can prevent a sparsely populated review section that may look unprofessional.
- Rebranding/Store Redesign: You might be overhauling your website’s design and want a fresh start without the existing reviews.
- Specific Product Strategy: Certain products might not lend themselves well to public reviews, especially if they are highly customized or involve sensitive information.
- Negative Reviews: Occasionally, a product might receive several negative Check out this post: How To Add Price Filter In Woocommerce Beaver Builder reviews that you need time to address before presenting them publicly. Disabling ratings temporarily allows you to focus on resolving the issues.
- Improved Website Speed: Disabling reviews and ratings can slightly improve your website’s loading speed, which is vital for SEO and user experience.
Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easiest Method)
The easiest way to disable WooCommerce product ratings is by using a plugin. Many plugins offer this functionality as a simple toggle. This is recommended for beginners as it requires no coding knowledge.
Here’s what you typically need to do:
1. Find a suitable plugin: Search the WordPress plugin directory for “disable WooCommerce ratings” or similar keywords. Look for plugins with high ratings and active installs. Many free plugins are available.
2. Install and activate the plugin: Once you’ve found a plugin you like, install it directly through your WordPress dashboard Check out this post: How To Implement Woocommerce X Theme (Plugins > Add New). Then, activate it.
3. Configure the plugin: Most plugins offer a simple settings page where you can enable or disable product ratings with a single click. Refer to the plugin’s documentation for specific instructions.
Method 2: Using a Code Snippet (For Developers)
This method involves adding a code snippet to your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin. This method requires basic coding knowledge and understanding of WordPress and WooCommerce. Incorrectly modifying your theme’s files can break your website, so always back up your files before making any changes.
This code snippet removes the rating fields from the single product page:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_tabs', 'woo_remove_reviews_tab', 98 ); function woo_remove_reviews_tab( $tabs ) { unset( $tabs['reviews'] ); return $tabs; }
This snippet removes the ability to leave reviews but it doesn’t remove the review section completely. To achieve this, you’d need to combine it with other code targeting the display of the Explore this article on How To Show Woocommerce Notice Only Once reviews.
Important Considerations When Using Code:
- Child Themes: Always use a child theme when adding code snippets to your theme’s `functions.php` file. This ensures that your customizations are preserved when you update your theme.
- Testing: After adding code, thoroughly test your website to ensure it functions correctly.
Method 3: Disabling Ratings in WooCommerce Settings (Limited Functionality)
While not a direct way to disable ratings entirely, WooCommerce offers some limited control over review display. You can limit the display of reviews based on approval status. Learn more about How To Use Pw Woocommerce Bogo You can also choose to only display approved reviews within the reviews section. This isn’t a complete removal, but it gives you some level of control. Find these options within the WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Reviews section.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Method
Choosing the best method depends on your technical skills and comfort level. For beginners, using a plugin is the easiest and safest option. For those comfortable with code, modifying the theme’s `functions.php` file offers more control. Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes. Now go forth and manage your WooCommerce product ratings!
