How to Update WordPress Safely

Keeping WordPress updated is essential for security, functionality, and performance. However, updates can occasionally cause conflicts with themes or plugins. This guide provides best practices to ensure a smooth, secure update process. For a hands-off approach, our WordPress Management service handles all updates, backups, and security so you don’t have to.

Step 1: Back Up Your Site

Before updating WordPress, always create a full backup of your site files and database to prevent data loss if any issues arise.

1. Back Up from the Shared Hosting Control Panel

   • Log into the Shared Hosting Control Panel, go to Backups, and click Create Backup to initiate a new backup.

2. Use a Backup Plugin (Optional)

   • If you prefer plugin-based backups, plugins like UpdraftPlus and BackupBuddy can create on-demand backups.
   • Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups and click Backup Now to back up your files and database.

Note: Our WordPress Management service includes Updraft Plus Premium for advanced, automated backups.

Step 2: Check Compatibility with Themes and Plugins

Before updating WordPress, check if your active theme and plugins are compatible with the latest version.

1. Review Theme and Plugin Updates

   • Go to Dashboard > Updates and check for any available theme and plugin updates. Review release notes for compatibility with the latest WordPress version.

2. Wait if Necessary

   • If your theme or a critical plugin hasn’t been updated for compatibility, consider delaying the WordPress update until all your essential tools are confirmed to work with the new version.

Note: Our WordPress Management service handles these checks, updates, and compatibility monitoring for you.

Step 3: Update WordPress Core

Once you have a backup and checked compatibility, proceed with updating the WordPress core.

1. Go to Updates

   • In the WordPress Dashboard, go to Dashboard > Updates.

2. Click Update Now

   • Click Update Now to install the latest version of WordPress. WordPress will complete the update automatically and inform you when it’s done.

Step 4: Update Themes and Plugins

After updating WordPress, update your themes and plugins to ensure compatibility with the new WordPress version.

1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins

   • Update each plugin individually by clicking Update Now next to any available updates.

2. Go to Appearance > Themes

   • Update your active theme if there’s an available update. Outdated themes can introduce compatibility issues with new WordPress versions.

Note: Our WordPress Management service includes automatic updates for themes, plugins, and WordPress core, taking care of all updates seamlessly.

Step 5: Test Your Site

After updating WordPress, themes, and plugins, it’s essential to test your site to ensure everything is working correctly.

1. Check Frontend and Backend

   • Visit several pages on the frontend and navigate through the WordPress Dashboard to confirm that all features are functioning correctly.

2. Use a Staging Site (Optional)

   • If your plan includes a staging environment, perform updates there first to verify compatibility before updating your live site.

Step 6: Enable Auto-Updates (Optional)

WordPress offers auto-update options for core, plugins, and themes, which can save time and improve security by keeping your site current automatically. You can enable auto-updates directly through WordPress or from the Shared Hosting Control Panel.

1. Enable Auto-Updates in WordPress

   • Go to Dashboard > Updates and enable auto-updates for the WordPress core if you prefer automatic updates.
   • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and click Enable Auto-Updates next to plugins you want to update automatically.

2. Enable Auto-Updates in the Shared Hosting Control Panel

   • Log into the Shared Hosting Control Panel, select your website, and go to Apps.
   • Click on the WordPress install, then select Plugins or Themes from the left-hand menu.
   • Use the toggle to enable auto-updates for each plugin or theme.

Note: Our WordPress Management service includes fully managed auto-updates with monitoring and conflict resolution to keep your site stable.

Troubleshooting Post-Update Issues

If you encounter issues after updating, follow these steps:

• Restore from Backup: Restore the site from your latest backup if needed.
• Contact Support: If issues persist, contact our support team for assistance.

With our WordPress Management service, you don’t need to worry about updates or backups. We handle everything, including regular backups, security checks, and Wordfence Premium for added protection. For further assistance or to learn more about our WordPress Management service, feel free to reach out to our support team.