I created this video to show how to switch from the Gutenberg block editor back to the Classic Editor — a move I’ve made on several sites where speed, simplicity, and plugin compatibility matter most.
The block editor is powerful, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re used to the older WordPress experience — or if you just want to avoid block bloat when writing simple posts — going back to the Classic Editor is a quick fix.
Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Install the Classic Editor plugin
From your WordPress admin panel:
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for “Classic Editor”
- Click Install Now then Activate
This plugin is developed by the WordPress team and has millions of active installs.
Step 2: Set as default editor
Once installed, go to Settings > Writing and you’ll see two options:
- Default editor for all users
- Allow users to switch editors
I usually set it globally to “Classic Editor” and disable switching, just to keep things consistent.
Step 3: Edit existing posts
Now, when you go to edit a post or page, it will open in the familiar old-school editor — simple toolbar, no blocks, and easy access to HTML if needed.
I walk through:
- Formatting headers, bold/italic, and lists
- Adding links and media
- Working with shortcodes or embedded scripts
Step 4: When not to switch
There are a few cases where Gutenberg is still better:
- If you’re using full site editing themes
- If your site relies on block-based page builders
- If you need complex content layouts with columns or grids
But for content-heavy blogs, affiliate sites, or simple business pages, Classic Editor still works beautifully — and it loads fast.
Are you sticking with Gutenberg, or switching back to Classic for ease of use?