Struggling with free site and Gutenberg

  • Unknown's avatar
    shamanistdreaming · Member ·

    Hello,

    I am struggling with free site and Gutenberg.

    Is there anyway to disable Gutenberg on a free WordPress .com website so I can use a basic theme and easily edit the site? I know I can’t install plugins on a free plan.

    Thank you.

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • staff-blorbo · Staff ·

    To restore the Classic Editor, follow the steps under “Will I still be able to use the old editor?” at https://en.support.wordpress.com/wordpress-editor/#frequently-asked-questions

    We do recommend the new editor though, and we have some extensive documentation available at https://en.support.wordpress.com/wordpress-editor/

  • Unknown's avatar
    shamanistdreaming · Member ·

    Thanks for your help Mac.

    There is no option to change. Help Page says: “Newer sites don’t have this option by default, but if you do find you want to switch to the Classic Editor and don’t have the option, please do contact us and we can help you out!”

    I clicked on the contact us button which doesn’t work! There is also, of course, no support button for free WP.Com sites.

    PS: I realise you are trying to be helpful by suggesting help files for Gutenberg, however I won’t use Gutenberg – I have tried it various times and hate it. I’ve been using WordPress since at least 2007 and have been a webmaster since the 1990s. Gutenberg is the worst editor I have ever used. I am trying to get away from Gutenberg.

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    Howdy –

    I’ve updated the editor on your account from the back end of things. Could you create a new post or page and let me know if the classic editor is working again? Thanks! If not, write back and we will keep working on it.

  • Unknown's avatar
    shamanistdreaming · Member ·

    OK, thank you Liz. It works.
    Do I have to set this on every post/page I do, or is everything going to default to the classic editor from now on?

  • Unknown's avatar
    justjennifer · Member ·

    Hi there, hope you don’t mind me adding that if this is a brand new site, it’s likely that the theme set up for you as a part of the process is made for the new-ish block editor. You might want to consider switching to one of the older themes as well. Looking at the theme showcase that would be anything prior to the “Business” theme. Hope that helps.

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    Morning justjennifer – Thanks for adding that bit. It is correct. The new themes are Gutenberg enabled so the classic editor won’t work with those ones.

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    shamanistdreaming – This setting should stick across the site. We shouldn’t have to adjust it again. If you use one of the newest themes, they will only work with the block editor. In that case you’d need to switch the theme. Just write back if you run in to any other questions or problems. We stick close by and are happy to help!

  • Unknown's avatar
    shamanistdreaming · Member ·

    Thanks everyone for your help. I really do appreciate it.

    Between my last post and just now, I went with a paid plan as I had to get things moving (not WordPress dot com as I once had a Business plan for a larger site & WP support were unable to restore, & another Business plan that even a top tier host with high level techs were unable to migrate).

    I have built my one page site and sorted all – it was much easier and worth it due to the time I saved. What I should have done to start with.

    I’ll mark this as closed now. It was certainly an interesting experience!

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    Make sure you get in touch if you need help with anything else :)

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