Disable Autosave Without Plugin to stop WordPress from creating autosave revisions and reduce database bloat. Here’s how to do it with a simple tweak.
Step 1: Add the Autosave Disable Code
Add this to your child theme’s functions.php:
// Disable autosave in WordPress
function qdt_disable_autosave() {
wp_deregister_script(‘autosave’);
}
add_action(‘wp_print_scripts’, ‘qdt_disable_autosave’);
How It Works
This snippet deregisters the autosave script, preventing WordPress from automatically saving drafts as you write.
Why Disable Autosave Without Plugin?
Autosave can clutter your database with unnecessary revisions, especially if you edit posts frequently. If you manually save your work, you may not need autosave.
Common Mistake
Disabling autosave means you could lose unsaved changes if your browser or computer crashes. Make sure you save your drafts manually!
Pro Tip
Add this tweak to your child theme’s functions.php to keep it active after theme updates.
Related Snippet
If you liked this, check out my guide on disabling the XML Sitemap without a plugin in WordPress.