diff --git a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h
--- a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h
+++ b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.h
@@ -159,12 +159,23 @@
      **/
     void updateEffectStatus(const QModelIndex &rowIndex, Status effectState);
 
+    /**
+     * This enum type is used to specify load options.
+     **/
+    enum class LoadOptions {
+        None,
+        /**
+         * Do not discard unsaved changes when reloading the model.
+         **/
+        KeepDirty
+    };
+
     /**
      * Loads effects.
      *
      * You have to call this method in order to populate the model.
      **/
-    void load();
+    void load(LoadOptions options = LoadOptions::None);
 
     /**
      * Saves status of each modified effect.
@@ -240,10 +251,8 @@
     void loadBuiltInEffects(const KConfigGroup &kwinConfig, const KPluginInfo::List &configs);
     void loadJavascriptEffects(const KConfigGroup &kwinConfig);
     void loadPluginEffects(const KConfigGroup &kwinConfig, const KPluginInfo::List &configs);
-    void syncEffectsToKWin();
 
     QVector<EffectData> m_effectsList;
-    QVector<EffectData> m_effectsChanged;
 
     Q_DISABLE_COPY(EffectModel)
 };
diff --git a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp
--- a/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp
+++ b/kcmkwin/common/effectmodel.cpp
@@ -387,18 +387,37 @@
     }
 }
 
-void EffectModel::load()
+void EffectModel::load(LoadOptions options)
 {
     KConfigGroup kwinConfig(KSharedConfig::openConfig("kwinrc"), "Plugins");
 
+    const QVector<EffectData> oldEffects = m_effectsList;
+
     beginResetModel();
-    m_effectsChanged.clear();
     m_effectsList.clear();
     const KPluginInfo::List configs = KPluginTrader::self()->query(QStringLiteral("kwin/effects/configs/"));
     loadBuiltInEffects(kwinConfig, configs);
     loadJavascriptEffects(kwinConfig);
     loadPluginEffects(kwinConfig, configs);
 
+    if (options == LoadOptions::KeepDirty) {
+        for (const EffectData &oldEffect : oldEffects) {
+            if (!oldEffect.changed) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            auto effectIt = std::find_if(m_effectsList.begin(), m_effectsList.end(),
+                [serviceName = oldEffect.serviceName](const EffectData &data) {
+                    return data.serviceName == serviceName;
+                }
+            );
+            if (effectIt == m_effectsList.end()) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            effectIt->effectStatus = oldEffect.effectStatus;
+            effectIt->changed = effectIt->effectStatus != effectIt->originalStatus;
+        }
+    }
+
     qSort(m_effectsList.begin(), m_effectsList.end(), [](const EffectData &a, const EffectData &b) {
         if (a.category == b.category) {
             if (a.exclusiveGroup == b.exclusiveGroup) {
@@ -451,29 +470,9 @@
         });
     }
 
-    m_effectsChanged = m_effectsList;
     endResetModel();
 }
 
-void EffectModel::syncEffectsToKWin()
-{
-    OrgKdeKwinEffectsInterface interface(QStringLiteral("org.kde.KWin"),
-                                         QStringLiteral("/Effects"),
-                                         QDBusConnection::sessionBus());
-    for (int it = 0; it < m_effectsList.size(); it++) {
-        if (m_effectsList.at(it).effectStatus == m_effectsChanged.at(it).effectStatus) {
-            continue;
-        }
-        if (m_effectsList.at(it).effectStatus != Status::Disabled) {
-            interface.loadEffect(m_effectsList.at(it).serviceName);
-        } else {
-            interface.unloadEffect(m_effectsList.at(it).serviceName);
-        }
-    }
-
-    m_effectsChanged = m_effectsList;
-}
-
 void EffectModel::updateEffectStatus(const QModelIndex &rowIndex, Status effectState)
 {
     setData(rowIndex, static_cast<int>(effectState), EffectModel::EffectStatusRole);
@@ -483,11 +482,13 @@
 {
     KConfigGroup kwinConfig(KSharedConfig::openConfig("kwinrc"), "Plugins");
 
-    for (auto it = m_effectsList.begin(); it != m_effectsList.end(); it++) {
-        EffectData &effect = *(it);
+    QVector<EffectData> dirtyEffects;
+
+    for (EffectData &effect : m_effectsList) {
         if (!effect.changed) {
             continue;
         }
+
         effect.changed = false;
         effect.originalStatus = effect.effectStatus;
 
@@ -501,10 +502,31 @@
         } else {
             kwinConfig.writeEntry(key, shouldEnable);
         }
+
+        dirtyEffects.append(effect);
+    }
+
+    if (dirtyEffects.isEmpty()) {
+        return;
     }
 
     kwinConfig.sync();
-    syncEffectsToKWin();
+
+    OrgKdeKwinEffectsInterface interface(QStringLiteral("org.kde.KWin"),
+                                         QStringLiteral("/Effects"),
+                                         QDBusConnection::sessionBus());
+
+    if (!interface.isValid()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    for (const EffectData &effect : dirtyEffects) {
+        if (effect.effectStatus != Status::Disabled) {
+            interface.loadEffect(effect.serviceName);
+        } else {
+            interface.unloadEffect(effect.serviceName);
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 void EffectModel::defaults()
diff --git a/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp b/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp
--- a/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp
+++ b/kcmkwin/kwineffects/kcm.cpp
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
 
     if (dialog->exec() == QDialog::Accepted) {
         if (!dialog->changedEntries().isEmpty()) {
-            m_model->load();
+            m_model->load(EffectModel::LoadOptions::KeepDirty);
         }
     }