> ## 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.

# Enabling the REST API in WordPress

> Learn how to re-enable the WordPress REST API if it was previously disabled.

This article describes how to enable the WordPress REST API.

<Note>
  The REST API is enabled in WordPress by default. The only scenario where you need to enable the REST API is if you previously disabled it.
</Note>

## What is the REST API?

The [REST API](https://developer.wordpress.org/rest-api/) provides a way for applications to interact with a WordPress site. By using special URLs, applications can send and receive data using the popular [JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSON) format.

## Enabling the REST API

As explained above, the REST API is enabled in WordPress by default. The only scenario where you need to enable the REST API is if you previously disabled it:

* If you disabled the REST API using a plugin (for example, the [Disable WP REST API plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/disable-wp-rest-api/) as described in [this article](/docs/disable-rest-api-in-wordpress) ), deactivate the plugin.

* If you disabled the REST API manually (for example, by modifying the *functions.php* file in the active theme as described in [this article](/docs/disabling-rest-api-endpoints-in-wordpress) ), remove or comment out the changes you made.

## Related articles

* [Disable REST API in WordPress](/docs/disable-rest-api-in-wordpress)

* [Disabling REST API endpoints in WordPress](/docs/disabling-rest-api-endpoints-in-wordpress)