Keeping your WordPress site up to date is essential for security, performance, and functionality. Updates ensure your site remains protected from vulnerabilities, runs smoothly, and takes advantage of the latest features. However, if not managed properly, updates can sometimes cause conflicts or site issues.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for managing WordPress updates, covering core updates, plugins, and themes.
Why WordPress updates matter
- Improved security – Updates patch vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
- Better performance – New updates often include speed improvements and bug fixes.
- New features – WordPress regularly introduces new tools and enhancements.
- Compatibility – Keeping plugins and themes updated ensures they work smoothly with the latest WordPress version.
Types of WordPress updates
1. Core updates
WordPress itself is regularly updated with bug fixes, security patches, and new features.
- Major updates (e.g., WordPress 6.4) introduce new features and improvements.
- Minor updates (e.g., 6.4.1) focus on security fixes and small bug repairs.
2. Plugin updates
Plugins extend your site’s functionality but can become security risks if outdated. Developers frequently update plugins to fix bugs, improve security, and add new features.
3. Theme updates
Your theme controls the design of your website. Updates can include security patches, styling improvements, and compatibility fixes with new WordPress versions.
How to safely update WordPress
1. Back up your website before updating
Before making any updates, always create a full backup. If something goes wrong, you can restore your site to its previous state.
- Use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack Backup.
- If your hosting provider offers automatic backups, check when the last backup was made.
2. Update WordPress core first
To update WordPress itself:
- Go to Dashboard > Updates.
- If an update is available, click Update Now.
- Wait for the update to complete before moving on to plugins or themes.
3. Update plugins one at a time
Updating all plugins at once can sometimes cause conflicts. Instead, update them individually to identify any issues.
- Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
- Click Update Now on one plugin at a time.
- After each update, visit your site to check for errors.
If a plugin update causes issues, you can deactivate it and contact the plugin developer for support.
4. Update themes carefully
If you’re using a custom theme with modifications, updating it may overwrite your changes.
- If you’ve made edits to your theme files, use a child theme to preserve customisations.
- Go to Appearance > Themes and click Update if an update is available.
5. Test your site after updates
After updating WordPress, plugins, or themes:
- Clear your browser cache and test your site on both desktop and mobile.
- Check for broken layouts, missing functionality, or slow loading times.
- If something isn’t working, restore your backup and investigate the issue.
6. Enable automatic updates where possible
To simplify maintenance, WordPress allows automatic updates:
- For minor core updates, these are enabled by default.
- For plugins and themes, you can enable auto-updates under Plugins > Installed Plugins and Appearance > Themes.
While automatic updates are convenient, they can sometimes introduce unexpected issues. If you prefer more control, consider using a managed WordPress hosting provider that handles updates for you.
7. Keep unused plugins and themes updated or removed
Even inactive plugins and themes can pose security risks.
- Delete any plugins or themes you’re not using.
- Keep only essential plugins to reduce the risk of conflicts.
Managing WordPress updates regularly keeps your site secure, fast, and running smoothly. By following these steps, you can update with confidence while minimising the risk of errors. Want more WordPress tips? Follow our WordPress 101 series for expert advice every Monday.