How to Disable Widget Blocks (use Classic Widgets) in WordPress

To use the classic interface instead of the Block Editor to manage widgets in WordPress, you can install the Classic Widgets plugin. This plugin restores the previous widgets settings screen, which uses the traditional interface rather than blocks. Here are the steps to do this:

Method 1: Use the Classic Widgets Plugin

1. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for “Classic Widgets”.
4. Click Install Now and then Activate.

This plugin will automatically restore the classic widget interface and disable the Block Editor for widgets.

Method 2: Add Code to functions.php

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can add a code snippet to your theme’s functions.php file to achieve the same result.

1. Open your theme’s functions.php file (located in wp-content/themes/your-theme/).
2. Add the following code to disable the Block Editor for widgets and use the classic interface:

// Disable the Block Editor for widgets
add_filter( 'gutenberg_use_widgets_block_editor', '__return_false' );
add_filter( 'use_widgets_block_editor', '__return_false' );

Method 3: Create a Custom Plugin

If you prefer to create a custom plugin to disable the Block Editor for widgets, follow these steps:

1. Create a new file in your wp-content/plugins/ directory, for example, disable-block-widgets.php.
2. Add the following code to the file:

<?php
/*
Plugin Name: Disable Block Widgets
Description: Disables the Block Editor for widgets and restores the classic interface.
Version: 1.0
Author: Your Name
*/

// Disable the Block Editor for widgets
add_filter( 'gutenberg_use_widgets_block_editor', '__return_false' );
add_filter( 'use_widgets_block_editor', '__return_false' );

3. Activate the plugin from the WordPress admin dashboard.

By following any of these methods, you will restore the classic widget interface in WordPress, allowing you to manage widgets without using the Block Editor.