> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Disabling default search in WordPress using PHP

> Discover how to disable WordPress's default search with a simple PHP function.

Having a search function on [WordPress](https://hosting.com/hosting/platforms/wordpress-hosting/managed-wordpress-hosting/) sites with limited ages or one-page navigation sites is not helpful for the users. This article shows you how to use a short PHP function to disable the default search function.

## Disabling search in WordPress

<Warning>
  **Important**

  Always perform a backup before you make any changes to the theme files. If you break any codes, it will be easier to revert your site to its last good known state. Alternatively, you could also create a child theme. Read this link on how to create a child theme: [https://www.hosting.com/blog/wordpress-child-theme/](https://www.hosting.com/blog/wordpress-child-theme/)
</Warning>

Follow the steps below to edit your Theme setting file to manually disable search in [WordPress](https://hosting.com/hosting/platforms/wordpress-hosting/managed-wordpress-hosting/):

1. Log in to your [WordPress](https://hosting.com/hosting/platforms/wordpress-hosting/managed-wordpress-hosting/) site with an administrator account.

2. On the **Dashboard** in the left sidebar, click **Appearance**, and then click **Theme Editor**:\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-wp-disablesearch-3.png)

3. On the **Theme Editor**, select the **Theme** you want to edit from the dropdown:\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-wp-disablesearch-2.png)

4. The files for this selected theme are listed on the right column under **Theme Files**. Click on the file named "**functions.php**":\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-wp-disablesearch-1.png)

```javascript theme={null}
function disable_search( $query, $error = true ) {
if ( is _search() ) {

$query->is_search = false;

$query->query_vars[s] = false;

$query->query[s] = false;

// to error

if ( $error == true )

$query->is_404 = true;

}

}

add_action( 'parse_query', 'disable_search' );

add_filter( 'get_search_form', create_function( '$a', "return null;" ) );
```

5. Insert the following code to the end of functions.php file and click **Update File Button** to save the changes:

## Related articles

* [Configuring a WordPress testing sandbox](/docs/configuring-a-wordpress-testing-sandbox)

* [Configuring WordPress to always use SSL](/docs/configuring-wordpress-to-always-use-ssl)

* [Customizing PHP settings for a WordPress site](/docs/customising-php-settings-for-wordpress-site)