Why Updating WordPress Matters
Keeping your WordPress installation up to date is one of the most critical maintenance tasks for any website owner. Updates patch security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, ensure compatibility with the latest plugins and themes, and introduce new features that improve site performance and functionality.
An outdated WordPress installation is an open invitation for security breaches, sluggish performance, and compatibility issues that can take your site down when you least expect it. Rather than waiting for problems to occur, a proactive update strategy keeps your site healthy and secure.
Understanding WordPress Update Types
Minor updates (such as moving from 6.7.0 to 6.7.1) contain security patches and bug fixes. These are automatically applied by default on most WordPress installations, requiring no intervention from site administrators. Minor updates rarely introduce breaking changes and maintain stability while closing security gaps.
Major updates (such as moving from 6.6 to 6.7) introduce new features, redesigned interfaces, and sometimes significant internal changes. These require manual approval by default since they can occasionally cause compatibility issues with plugins or themes that haven't been updated to support the latest version.
The decision to enable automatic major updates should be made carefully, considering your site's complexity and the reliability of your plugins and themes. Sites running well-maintained, popular plugins from established developers may safely enable automatic major updates, while sites with custom or infrequently updated components should review major updates manually before applying them. According to WordPress Developer Resources, WordPress can be upgraded from any version directly to the latest version in a single step, which simplifies the update process significantly.
For a comprehensive overview of what WordPress is and how it works, see our guide on what is WordPress.
Preparing to Update WordPress
Creating Complete Backups
A complete backup should include the database (containing all your content, user data, and settings), the wp-content folder (themes, plugins, and uploaded media), and the core WordPress files. Relying solely on your web host's backups provides less protection than maintaining independent backups stored remotely.
Backup plugins like UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, or ShieldBACKUPS offer scheduled backup options and remote storage to services like Dropbox or Amazon S3. The key is storing at least one backup off-site--on a different server than your live website--so you can restore even if your hosting server fails.
After creating a backup, verify that it actually works by testing the restoration process on a separate environment. A backup that cannot be restored is worse than no backup at all, as it creates a false sense of security. Many backup plugins include built-in testing features, or you can manually restore to a local development environment to confirm everything works correctly. As highlighted by BlogVault's backup guide, this verification step is often overlooked but critical for true disaster preparedness.
Checking Plugin and Theme Compatibility
Before updating WordPress, review your installed plugins and themes for compatibility with the target version. Check the WordPress repository for "Works with WordPress" badges showing tested versions. Plugins that haven't been updated in months or don't support the latest WordPress version may cause conflicts after an update.
If you need guidance on adding new plugins to your site, see our guide on how to add WordPress plugins. This covers installation methods and best practices for managing plugins effectively.
Plugins that haven't been updated in several months or explicitly state they don't support the latest WordPress version may cause conflicts after a WordPress update. In these cases, you have several options: wait until the developer releases a compatible update, find an alternative plugin with similar functionality, or proceed with the update while accepting the risk.
Using Staging Environments
A staging site is an exact copy of your live website where you can safely test updates without affecting visitors. Many hosting providers offer one-click staging through their control panels. For hosts without staging, local development tools like Local WP (formerly Local by Flywheel) or XAMPP allow testing updates locally before applying them to production.
When testing updates on a staging site, verify that all plugins function correctly, custom themes display properly, contact forms and other interactive elements work as expected, and any custom code or integrations continue functioning. Document any issues you encounter so you can address them on your live site or decide whether to delay the update until fixes are available.
For users whose hosts don't provide staging functionality, local development tools provide the same fundamental benefit: the ability to identify compatibility issues before they affect your live site. This approach requires more technical setup but offers complete isolation for testing purposes.
Choose the update method that best fits your technical skills and hosting environment
Dashboard Update
The simplest method--navigate to Dashboard > Updates and click the update button. WordPress handles everything automatically.
SFTP/Manual Update
For when the dashboard isn't accessible--upload new WordPress files via SFTP client like FileZilla or through hosting file manager.
Hosting Control Panel
Many hosts like cPanel or specialized WordPress hosts offer one-click update tools in their management interfaces.
WP-CLI Command Line
The most efficient method for developers--use commands like 'wp core update' for fast, scriptable updates.
Method 1: Dashboard Update
The WordPress dashboard provides the simplest and most user-friendly update method. When a new version is available, WordPress displays a prominent notification at the top of your dashboard. Navigate to Dashboard > Updates to see detailed information about the available update.
Click the update button to initiate the process. WordPress downloads the new version, replaces appropriate files, and runs database upgrades automatically. A progress indicator shows update status, and upon completion, WordPress displays a confirmation message.
The entire dashboard update process typically takes only a few minutes, though larger sites with extensive databases may require additional time. During the update, visitors see a brief "Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance" message--this is normal and resolves automatically.
To update through the dashboard, navigate to Dashboard > Updates, where you'll see a button to update to the latest version. Clicking this button initiates the update process, which WordPress handles automatically. The system downloads the new version, replaces the appropriate files, and runs any necessary database upgrades.
For sites with custom configurations, understanding how to reset WordPress settings can be helpful if you encounter issues after an update and need to troubleshoot your installation.
Method 2: Manual Update via SFTP
When the dashboard update method isn't accessible, updating WordPress manually through SFTP provides a reliable alternative. This involves directly uploading new WordPress files to your server.
Step-by-Step SFTP Update
- Download the latest WordPress from wordpress.org and extract the ZIP file
- Connect to your server using an SFTP client like FileZilla with your hosting credentials
- Navigate to your WordPress installation directory (typically public_html or www)
- Delete the wp-admin and wp-includes folders from your server
- Upload wp-admin and wp-includes folders from your extracted package
- Upload root files from the extracted package, overwriting existing files
- Visit your site to verify the update was successful
Your wp-config.php file and wp-content folder remain untouched throughout this process. After the upload completes, WordPress may prompt you to update your database if the new version requires database schema changes--complete this process as prompted.
Method 3: Hosting Control Panel Updates
Many hosting providers offer built-in WordPress update tools. Look for options labeled "WordPress Manager," "Auto Installer," or similar in your hosting control panel. The specific steps vary by host, but most provide a simple interface showing your installed version with an update button.
For hosting control panels like cPanel, Plesk, and proprietary panels, look for the WordPress management section where you can apply updates with a single click. Some hosts, particularly those specializing in WordPress hosting like Convesio or WP Engine, provide enhanced management features including automatic updates, staging environments, and one-click rollback capabilities. If your current host doesn't offer these features, it may be worth considering migration to a WordPress-specialized host if site management efficiency is a priority.
For hosting control panels that don't provide automated WordPress updates, you can often achieve similar results through the file manager interface. Using the file manager, you can delete the old wp-admin and wp-includes folders and upload the new ones, similar to the SFTP method but through a browser-based interface.
If you're migrating from another platform like Wix, our guide on converting Wix to WordPress can help you understand the differences in update workflows between platforms.
1# Check current WordPress version2wp core version3 4# Check for available updates5wp core check-update6 7# Update WordPress core8wp core update9 10# Update all plugins11wp plugin update --all12 13# Update all themes14wp theme update --all15 16# Skip plugins during core update (if having conflicts)17wp core update --skip-plugins18 19# Skip themes during core update20wp core update --skip-themesMethod 4: WP-CLI Updates
WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) provides the most powerful method for managing updates, especially for developers managing multiple WordPress installations. WP-CLI is included by default on many quality hosting providers and offers unmatched efficiency for site maintenance.
Getting Started with WP-CLI
To use WP-CLI, first ensure it's installed on your server--access your server through SSH using a terminal application, then navigate to your WordPress installation directory. The basic command to update WordPress core is wp core update, which checks for and applies the latest version automatically.
Before updating, verify your current version with wp core version and check for available updates with wp core check-update. After running the update, verify success by checking the version again. WP-CLI also allows updating all plugins (wp plugin update --all) and themes (wp theme update --all) with similar commands.
Advanced WP-CLI Options
WP-CLI is particularly valuable when the dashboard is inaccessible due to errors or when updating multiple sites programmatically. For sites experiencing issues after a failed update, WP-CLI commands like wp core update --skip-plugins or wp core update --skip-themes can sometimes bypass problematic code to restore basic functionality.
Troubleshooting Common Update Issues
Stuck in Maintenance Mode
The maintenance message should disappear when updates complete. If it persists, the update was interrupted. Connect via SFTP, navigate to your WordPress root, and delete the .maintenance file. Look for a file named .maintenance and delete it--this file is created during the update process to signal maintenance mode and should be removed automatically upon completion.
After removing the .maintenance file, visit your site to check its status. If the update didn't complete successfully, you may need to manually update WordPress using the SFTP method, or restore from backup and retry with additional troubleshooting.
If you're using WordPress multisite, the troubleshooting process differs slightly--network administrators need to update from the network admin dashboard.
White Screen of Death
A blank white page typically indicates a PHP error from plugin or theme incompatibilities. Try accessing the dashboard: if it loads, the issue is likely your theme. If not, deactivate all plugins by renaming your plugins folder via SFTP.
To troubleshoot while the site is inaccessible, rename your plugins folder via SFTP or file manager (for example, change wp-content/plugins to wp-content/plugins-old). This disables all plugins at once, allowing you to access your site. Once you can access the dashboard, rename the folder back to its original name, then reactivate plugins one by one to identify the problematic plugin.
Plugin and Theme Conflicts
Deactivate all plugins to see if the site functions normally. Reactivate them one by one to identify problematic plugins. For theme conflicts, switch to a default WordPress theme--if the issue resolves, your theme needs updating or replacement.
For common issues with visual editing after updates, see our guide on WordPress visual editor not working for specific troubleshooting steps.
Database Update Prompts
After updating core files, you may see a database update prompt. This is normal--click to update the database. If the prompt repeats, check database credentials in wp-config.php and consider repairing your database through phpMyAdmin.
If the database update prompt appears repeatedly or you cannot complete the database update, there may be a more serious issue with your database. In this case, check your database credentials in wp-config.php to ensure they are correct.
Understanding how WordPress slugs work can also help diagnose URL and permalink issues that sometimes arise after updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Security Considerations for WordPress Updates
Keeping WordPress updated is fundamentally a security practice. Each release includes patches for vulnerabilities that have been discovered since the previous version, and unpatched WordPress installations are among the most targeted platforms by hackers. As noted by Shield Security, outdated WordPress installations become targets for hackers, making updates essential for site protection.
Security-focused updates are released as soon as vulnerabilities are discovered, making prompt application critical. While major updates receive significant testing before release, security patches are sometimes released urgently to address actively exploited vulnerabilities. The WordPress security team maintains a track record of responsible disclosure and rapid response, making WordPress core relatively secure when kept current.
Plugin and Theme Security
Outdated plugins are a leading cause of WordPress security breaches. When developers release security patches, applying them should be treated with the same urgency as core security updates. Monitor plugin compatibility and update promptly when security patches are released. According to Hostinger's update guide, checking plugin compatibility before updates is essential for maintaining site stability.
For optimal security, consider implementing additional measures like the AMP plugin for accelerated mobile pages and faster load times, which can improve both user experience and SEO performance.
Establishing an Update Routine
Rather than reacting to notifications, establish a regular update schedule. Weekly checks with application within a few days provide good balance between testing and security. Higher-security sites may need more frequent updates.
Enable automatic minor updates in Dashboard > Updates if not already active. Major updates typically benefit from manual review and staging site testing before production deployment during low-traffic periods. Maintain documentation of your update procedures, including backup processes, staging workflows, and rollback plans. This documentation ensures consistent handling of updates across your team and provides a reference when issues arise.
If you use WordPress tags for content organization, ensure your tagging strategy remains consistent after updates to maintain SEO benefits.
For sites that frequently encounter update issues, consider implementing a more rigorous testing protocol before updates, including automated testing with tools like WP-CLI's integration testing framework or manual testing by team members before production deployment. When an update causes problems, having a well-documented rollback plan allows you to restore site functionality quickly while investigating alternatives.
If you want to learn about the best plugins to enhance your site's functionality, check out our guide on best WordPress plugins for recommendations across various categories.