WordPress uses Gravatar to display user profile pictures, but some users may want to disable it. To disable Gravatar in WordPress, go to the Settings » Discussion section and uncheck the “Show avatar” checkbox. This will remove Gravatar images from comments and replace them with a generic user icon. If you still want to display avatars, you can use the WP User Avatars plugin to allow users to upload images to the website instead. This plugin will block Gravatar requests while still retaining avatar functionality in WordPress.
Do you ever wonder how to disable "Gravatar" in WordPress? WordPress utilizes Gravatar to showcase a user’s profile picture, a third-party service that enables users to have a consistent profile picture across various websites.
However, some users or customers might not appreciate the use of Gravatar. In such cases, you may want to disable it and opt for an avatar uploaded directly to your website.
Why Should You Disable Gravatar in WordPress?
Most modern applications come with built-in Gravatar support. When a user leaves a comment with an email on a Gravatar-enabled site, the avatar image associated with that email is fetched from the Gravatar servers and displayed next to the comment.
If you or your clients prefer not to use Gravatar for some reason, it’s a good idea to disable it. Here’s how you can do it:
Disable Gravatar in WordPress
- Log in to your WordPress admin page.
- Navigate to Settings » Discussion.
- Uncheck the checkbox next to "Show avatar" in the Avatar section.
- Don’t forget to click the Save button.
By following these steps, WordPress will disable Gravatar on your site. Instead of the Gravatar image, you’ll see a generic user icon in the admin toolbar and comments section.
Replace Gravatar with Image Uploaded from Website
If your clients want to disable Gravatar but still display avatars for users, you can keep the avatar function in WordPress and allow users to upload images directly to the website.
To achieve this, install the WP User Avatars plugin and then return to Settings » Discussion to tick the option "Prevent avatar requests from reaching out to Gravatar.com." Save changes to apply the settings.
This plugin will block Gravatar while retaining the user avatar functionality. Users can update their profile picture by uploading images from their computers on the File page.
WordPress will now use custom profile pictures instead of Gravatar images. If a user hasn’t uploaded a picture, a default avatar will be displayed.
Epilogue
And there you have it! You have successfully disabled Gravatar on WordPress. If you’re interested in similar topics, check out the articles in the WordPress Basics category and follow our Fanpage to stay updated on new posts.
