Ever hit ‘update’ in WordPress, only to watch it freeze—or worse, break your site? You’re not alone. Whether auto-updates have failed or you prefer a hands-on approach, knowing how to manually update WordPress can save you headaches and downtime.
This article walks you through each step to safely update your site on your own terms. Get tips to avoid common pitfalls and keep your site running smoothly throughout the process.
Related Video
How To Manually Update WordPress: Step-By-Step Expert Guide
Updating your WordPress website regularly is essential for security, performance, and access to the latest features. While automatic updates are convenient, knowing how to manually update WordPress gives you more control—especially helpful if you encounter issues or if your site cannot be updated automatically.
Let’s dive into why manual updates matter, how you can easily perform one, the precautions to take, and answers to common questions about the process.
Why Manually Update WordPress?
WordPress, by default, offers an automatic update feature. However, sometimes situations require manual intervention, such as:
- Custom or Heavily Modified Sites: Automatic updates may cause issues with specialized customizations or themes.
- Failed Automatic Updates: At times, server restrictions or plugin conflicts can prevent auto-updates.
- Better Site Control: You might want to test the new version in a staging environment before updating the live site.
- Enhanced Security: Regular, prompt updates close vulnerabilities targeted by hackers and malware.
By understanding the manual update process, you ensure your site remains both safe and fully functional.
Preparing for a Manual WordPress Update
Before you proceed, take these critical preparatory steps to safeguard your site and data.
1. Back Up Your Website
Updating WordPress impacts your core files. Backing up ensures you can restore your site if anything goes wrong.
- Back up Files: Download all your WordPress files using FTP or your hosting control panel (such as cPanel’s File Manager).
- Back up Database: Export your database via phpMyAdmin or use a WordPress backup plugin.
Pro Tip: Schedule regular automatic backups to always have a recent restore point.
2. Take Note of Your Current Theme and Plugins
Some themes and plugins may not be compatible with the newest version of WordPress.
- Make a list of all active themes and plugins.
- Check if they are up-to-date and compatible with the version of WordPress you intend to use.
Step-by-Step: How to Manually Update WordPress
Updating WordPress manually involves replacing outdated core files with the latest ones. Here’s how to do it safely:
1. Download the Latest Version of WordPress
Go to the official WordPress website and download the most recent version. The download will be in a ZIP file format.
2. Deactivate All Plugins
Disabling plugins before updating minimizes the risk of compatibility issues.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to the ‘Plugins’ section.
- Select all plugins, choose ‘Deactivate’ from the bulk actions menu, and apply.
3. Access Your Site via FTP or Hosting File Manager
You can use applications like FileZilla (for FTP/SFTP access) or your provider’s file manager.
- Enter your server credentials (host, username, password, port) for FTP.
- Navigate to your WordPress root directory—usually called
public_htmlorwww.
4. Delete Old Core WordPress Files (But Not Configs or Content)
Important: Do NOT delete the wp-config.php file, the wp-content folder, or the .htaccess file.
Delete or overwrite these folders and files:
wp-admin(Delete the entire folder)wp-includes(Delete the entire folder)- All files in the root directory except:
wp-config.php.htaccesswp-contentfolder (contains your themes, plugins, and media – do not delete!)- Any custom files (like
robots.txt)
5. Upload New WordPress Files
- Extract the ZIP file you downloaded earlier to your computer.
- Upload the new WordPress core files to your server, replacing the ones you just deleted, except for the files and folders listed above.
6. Run the Database Upgrade Script (If Prompted)
- After uploading, log in to your WordPress admin area (
yourdomain.com/wp-admin). - If database updates are needed, WordPress will prompt you with a link—click it and let the system process any required upgrades.
7. Reactivate Your Plugins
Once the update is complete:
- Go to ‘Plugins’ in your dashboard.
- Reactivate your plugins one by one, ensuring each works with the latest WordPress version.
8. Test Your Site
Visit multiple posts, pages, and admin sections to confirm everything is functioning as expected.
Key Tips and Best Practices
To ensure a smooth manual update, keep these pointers in mind:
- Test in a Staging Environment First: If possible, clone your site to a staging area and test the update before applying changes to your live site.
- Update Themes and Plugins: Once the core update is complete, check if updates are available for your themes and plugins. Keeping everything up-to-date reduces conflict risk.
- Monitor Site Speed and Performance: Sometimes, updates affect loading times. Use tools to monitor if any recent changes have slowed your site.
- Clear Your Cache: If you’re using a caching plugin, purge or clear all caches after updating to prevent display errors.
Common Challenges When Manually Updating WordPress
While manual updates are straightforward, some challenges can arise:
- White Screen of Death: A blank site after updating may indicate compatibility issues. Restore your backup, check your plugins, and try again.
- File Permissions Issues: You might be unable to overwrite files. Adjust file permissions using FTP client or hosting settings.
- Theme or Plugin Conflicts: Incompatible add-ons can break your site. Update everything and verify compatibility before reactivating plugins.
- Lost Custom Changes: If you edited core files directly (not recommended!), updates will overwrite them. Use child themes and custom plugins for all modifications in the future.
Cost-Saving Tips
Manually updating WordPress itself is free and does not incur shipping or direct costs. However, consider these tips for saving time and unexpected expenses:
- Choose a host with easy backup and staging tools: This will allow quick rollbacks if something goes wrong, reducing downtime costs.
- Invest in a quality backup plugin: Many offer free versions, but premium plugins include useful features like scheduled backups and one-click restores.
- Schedule Maintenance Windows: Performing updates during low-traffic periods minimizes the revenue impact if issues arise.
- Use free themes and plugins from official repositories: They are more likely to be updated and maintained, reducing the risk of incompatibility or security problems.
Concluding Summary
Manual WordPress updates may seem intimidating, but with careful preparation and step-by-step execution, they ensure your site stays secure, fast, and reliable. Always back up before starting, update in a controlled and tested manner, and make routine maintenance a habit. This process puts you firmly in control of your site’s health and stability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between automatic and manual WordPress updates?
Automatic updates are handled by WordPress itself, often requiring no user intervention. Manual updates mean you replace and update files yourself, useful when automatic updates fail or aren’t available due to custom setups or limitations.
Will I lose my content if I manually update WordPress?
No, your posts, pages, and media are stored in the database and the wp-content folder, which you do not touch during the manual update. Always make a full backup before proceeding, just in case.
Do I need to deactivate plugins before updating?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended. Deactivating plugins before updating helps prevent conflicts and reduces the chances of your website breaking during the update process.
How often should I update WordPress manually?
Update as soon as a new stable version is released, especially for security updates. Routine checks and timely updating minimize the risk of vulnerabilities and compatibility issues.
What should I do if something goes wrong during the update?
If your site breaks or behaves abnormally, restore your website using your backup. Then, troubleshoot possible causes—plugin conflicts, theme issues, or incomplete uploads. Updating in a staging environment first can help you spot problems before affecting your live site.
By following this guide, you’ll be equipped to confidently and safely update your WordPress site manually whenever the need arises.