{"id":3991,"date":"2020-02-12T15:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-02-12T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/?p=3991"},"modified":"2022-02-08T22:49:05","modified_gmt":"2022-02-08T21:49:05","slug":"how-to-edit-wp-config-file","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/how-to-edit-wp-config-file\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Edit the WordPress wp-config.php File"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The wp-config.php<\/strong> file is a core file within your WordPress installation. It is used to define a lot of different configurations without which WordPress would not be able to function at all. This file is used primarily for defining the constants used to connect to the database of your website, however, it is much more versatile than that. In this article, we will cover some of the constants and settings you can use within the wp-config.php file and how you can edit it to implement these.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”68px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Before Editing the wp-config.php File<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Before we delve into editing the wp-config file please note that even a small mistake could cause problems with your installation. To avoid any issues with this, we strongly recommend that you make a copy<\/strong> of your wp-config.php file, backup your website files<\/a>, and backup your database<\/a> as well. We also strongly recommend that you do not edit the file within Word, Google Docs<\/strong>, or any other word processing application since these applications make formatting changes that can cause errors within PHP files.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]Another pothole to look out for is the fact that all of the settings within the wp-config file are written in a specific order and changing that order may cause unexpected issues. Also, any code that you would like to include must be added above the following line:[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text]\/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. *\/<\/code>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”74px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How to Access wp-config.php<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Even though this file is crucial to the operating of WordPress itself, it is worthwhile to note that it does not come with the default WordPress package. Instead, the package contains the wp-config-sample.php<\/strong> file. Once you complete the famous 5 minute WordPress installation<\/a>, after adding the database information, WordPress will generate this file for you. However, if you ever want to change these settings down the line of your website development you can do so by editing the wp-config file.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]To edit it you need to access your theme\u2019s files. For these purposes, you could either enter your hosting\u2019s cPanel or access the files using an FTP client. We will be showing you the steps necessary to edit the files via the FileZilla FTP client. In order to be able to do so you will first need to setup and learn to use the FTP client<\/a> on your computer.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]Once you have connected to your files via your chosen FTP client you can open the wp-config file by navigating to the root folder<\/strong> of your WordPress installation, right-clicking<\/strong> the file and selecting View\/Edit<\/strong> from the dropdown.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]

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\n \"Selecting <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]The FTP client will now download the file to your computer and open it within a text editor such as Notepad. It should look like so:[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]
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\n \"WP <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]As previously mentioned you need to find the following line within the file:[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text]\/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. *\/<\/code>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”34px”][vc_column_text]and add the changes above it.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”68px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

A Summary of Possible Changes and Settings Within the wp-config File<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]There are many options, settings, and constants that can be set using this file. The most important ones, which coincidently are written at the very top of the file are the MySQL Database Settings.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”]

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\n \"MySQL <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”38px”][vc_column_text]Within the highlighted lines of code above the wp-config file sets the following:[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”23px”]