Every WordPress or custom PHP site stores its content in a MySQL database. Plesk gives you direct access to create, browse, and repair those databases through phpMyAdmin.
1. Open the Databases section
From Websites & Domains, click Databases for your domain. You'll see any existing databases and their sizes listed here.
2. Create a new database
Click Add Database, name it, and Plesk will automatically create a matching database user with a secure password — save these credentials somewhere safe.
3. Open phpMyAdmin
Click the phpMyAdmin icon next to any database to browse its tables directly in your browser without installing anything.
4. Export a database backup
Inside phpMyAdmin, click Export, keep the default "Quick" method and SQL format, and download the file — useful before making any direct database change.
Key takeaway: Always export a database backup before running a manual query — a single incorrect SQL command can affect every row in a table at once.
5. Common WordPress fixes
Locked out of wp-admin? The wp_users table lets you reset a password hash directly. Site URL changed? The wp_options table's siteurl and home rows control that.
6. Optimise and repair tables
Select all tables in phpMyAdmin, then choose Optimize table from the dropdown menu. This tidies up storage and can resolve minor corruption issues.
7. Manage database users
Under the Databases section, you can add extra database users or adjust an existing user's privileges — handy when handing limited access to a freelance developer.
8. When to use phpMyAdmin vs a plugin
Plugins like WP-Optimize or UpdraftPlus handle routine database tasks — cleanup, scheduled backups — through a friendlier WordPress dashboard interface. Reach for phpMyAdmin directly when you need something a plugin can't do: editing a single row, running a custom query, or fixing a site that's too broken to load wp-admin at all.
9. Common database errors and what they mean
"Error establishing a database connection" almost always points to wrong credentials in wp-config.php or a database that's been deleted or renamed. "Table doesn't exist" errors after a migration usually mean the table prefix in wp-config.php doesn't match the prefix actually used in the imported database.
10. Keep database credentials private
Treat your database username and password with the same care as your hosting login — anyone with direct database access can read, edit, or delete every page and post on your site, bypassing WordPress's own permissions entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to edit a WordPress database directly in phpMyAdmin?
It can be, as long as you export a backup first and know exactly which table and row you're changing. Direct edits skip WordPress's own validation, so a typo in the wrong table can break the site in ways that are harder to trace than a plugin-caused issue.
Why can't I see my database in phpMyAdmin?
Most often this means the database user hasn't been granted access to that specific database, even if both exist. Check the user's assigned privileges under the Databases section and confirm the database is listed there.
Can I rename a WordPress database after creating it?
Not directly in phpMyAdmin. The reliable route is exporting the existing database, creating a new one with the desired name, importing the export into it, then updating the database name in wp-config.php.