Complete Guide 2026: How to Disable XML-RPC in WordPress to Protect Your Website

If you have a WordPress site, it is very likely that you have a backdoor open to possible attacks without even knowing it. It's called XML-RPC, a legacy functionality that, although once useful, today represents one of the biggest attack vectors for websites built with this CMS. In this definitive guide, we will explain everything you need to know about XML-RPC, why it is a risk for your security and, most importantly, we will show you step by step how to disable XML-RPC in WordPress to effectively secure your website.

Table of Contents

What Exactly is the XML-RPC File in WordPress?

To understand why it is so crucial to disable this feature, we must first understand what it is and what it was used for. XML-RPC is a specification that allows remote communication between different systems over the internet. In the context of WordPress, it is an API (Application Programming Interface) that was designed for a very specific purpose: to allow you to manage your website remotely.

As explained by the Webempresa hosting experts, Its origin dates back to a time when Internet connections were slow and unreliable. XML-RPC allowed users to write and edit posts in a desktop application and then upload them to their WordPress site. It was also the engine behind early versions of the WordPress mobile app and features such as pingbacks and trackbacks.

Why is XML-RPC such a Big Security Risk?

Although originally intended well, technology has moved on and XML-RPC has become obsolete and, worse, insecure. The main vulnerabilities are:

• Amplified Brute Force Attacks: Unlike the normal login page, which requires a request for each password attempt, the function system.multicall XML-RPC allows an attacker to try hundreds or thousands of username and password combinations in a single HTTP request. This makes brute force attacks incredibly efficient and difficult to detect by conventional security tools.
• Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS): Attackers can exploit XML-RPC's pingback functionality to launch DDoS attacks. They send thousands of pingbacks from your site to a target site, using your server as part of a botnet without your knowledge, as warned from the knowledge base of Grupo Infocomercial.
• Insecure Communication: One of the fundamental failures, as detailed in this Webempresa analysis, is that the service uses the HTTP protocol by default. This means that requests, which may include commands to create or edit content (wp.newPost, wp.editPost), travel unencrypted, exposing your website to all kinds of malicious actors.

Do I still need XML-RPC on my Web?

The short answer is: probably not. Most of the functionalities that depended on XML-RPC have been replaced by a much more modern, secure and robust technology: XML-RPC. WordPress REST API.

The REST API is the future of remote communication with WordPress and is already used by most modern applications and services, including the block editor (Gutenberg) and the most recent versions of the WordPress mobile app and Jetpack plugin. In fact, it is expected that in future versions of WordPress, XML-RPC will disappear completely once the transition to the REST API is fully consolidated.

Keeping XML-RPC active today is like leaving an old door with an easy-to-pick lock in your house, even though you have installed a state-of-the-art vault door right next door.

How to Check if XML-RPC is Active in your WordPress

Before proceeding with deactivation, it is a good idea to confirm that it is active. The easiest method is to use a free online tool. Google «XML-RPC Validator» and you will find several options.

A quick, manual method is to simply navigate to the following URL in your browser, replacing `domain.com` with your own domain:

https://tudominio.com/xmlrpc.php

If you receive a message that says «XML-RPC server accepts POST requests only.», means that the file is accessible and the functionality is active.

Step-by-Step Guide: Methods to Disable XML-RPC in WordPress

Now that we understand the urgency, let's take a look at the most effective methods to close this security breach. We present you from the simplest option for beginners to the most robust method recommended by experts.

Method 1: Using a Plugin (The Easiest Option)

If you are not comfortable editing code files, the fastest and safest way to get started is to use a plugin. There are plugins designed specifically for this task.

One of the most popular and simple is Disable XML-RPC-API. Its operation is as simple as:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard: Plugins > Add new.
2. Search for «Disable XML-RPC-API».
3. Click on Install now and then in Activate.

That's it! The plugin takes care of the whole process automatically. In addition, many all-in-one security plugins such as Wordfence Security or iThemes Security include an option in their settings to disable XML-RPC with a single click.

Method 2: Deactivation by Code (The Recommended and Final Option)

Although plugins are useful, the most efficient and secure way to disable XML-RPC is to do it directly at the server level. This method avoids loading an extra plugin and ensures complete blocking. It consists of two crucial steps, as detailed in the Infocommercial Group's attack prevention guide.

Step 1: Disable the functionality from WordPress

The first step is to add one line of code to your file wp-config.php. This file is located in the root directory of your WordPress installation. You can access it through the File Manager of your cPanel or through an FTP client (such as FileZilla).

Open the file wp-config.php and add the following line of code, preferably just before the line that reads /* That's it, stop editing! Happy blogging. */:

add_filter('xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false');

This filter tells WordPress to completely disable XML-RPC functionality. Save the changes and upload the file back to your server.

Step 2: Block direct access to the file `xmlrpc.php`.

The first step disables most of the functions, but the file xmlrpc.php is still accessible. Bots and attackers will continue to hit this URL, consuming your server resources. For a total block, we must deny access to the file through the file .htaccess.

The file .htaccess is also located in the root directory of your WordPress. Open it and add the following code block:

# Blocking access to xmlrpc.php

Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all

This code instructs your Apache server to block all external requests that attempt to access the file directly. xmlrpc.php. Save the changes. Now, if you try to access yourdomain.com/xmlrpc.php, you should see a 403 (Forbidden) error, confirming that the block is successful.

Additional Steps for Complete Shielding

To make sure there are no loose ends, there is an additional setting you should check in your WordPress dashboard, as it also relies on XML-RPC.

Disable Pingbacks and Trackbacks from the Dashboard

As mentioned, these features use XML-RPC to communicate between blogs. To disable them, follow these simple steps that are also recommended by the Infocomercial Group documentation:

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > Comments.
2. Look for the «Default input settings» section.
3. Uncheck the following two boxes:
   • «Try to warn sites linked from the article.».
   • «Allow notifications of links from other blogs (pingbacks and trackbacks) in new articles.».
4. Save the changes.

Conclusion: Why Disabling XML-RPC is a Smart Decision?

In today's digital landscape, web security is not an option, it is a necessity. Disable XML-RPC in WordPress is one of the simplest and most impactful actions you can take to protect your site.

By doing so, you not only close a common gateway for brute force and DDoS attacks, but also slightly optimize your server performance by preventing malicious bots from consuming resources trying to access the file. xmlrpc.php. Since its functionality has been overtaken by the WordPress REST API, keeping it active today offers very few benefits and exposes your project to unnecessary risks.

Don't wait to be the victim of an attack. Follow the steps in this guide, choose the method that best suits your technical level and secure your website today. Your peace of mind and the security of your users will thank you for it.