Are you confused about the proper order for updating your WordPress site? You‘re not alone! With WordPress core, plugins, and themes all receiving updates at different times, it can be tricky to know which to tackle first.
Getting the sequence wrong could result in compatibility issues, broken features, or even your entire site going down. But don‘t worry – by the end of this guide, you‘ll be equipped with the knowledge to update your WordPress site safely and efficiently every time. Let‘s dive in!
Why WordPress Updates Matter: Stats & Facts
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of updates, let‘s look at some eye-opening WordPress statistics that highlight why staying on top of updates is so crucial:
- WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet (W3Techs)
- There are over 59,000 free plugins in the WordPress repository (WordPress.org)
- 98% of WordPress vulnerabilities are related to plugins (WPScan)
- The average website is attacked 94 times every day (Internet Live Stats)
- Only 43% of WordPress sites are running the latest version (WordPress.org)
These figures tell us a few key things. First, with its massive market share, WordPress is an attractive target for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities. This is compounded by the huge plugin ecosystem, which introduces even more potential backdoors.
What‘s concerning is that most WordPress site owners are not keeping up with the latest updates. This leaves them exposed to security breaches that could cripple their site and business. In 2022 alone, major companies like Kia Motors, Rakuten, and T-Mobile all had their WordPress sites hacked due to outdated software.
Don‘t become another statistic – make WordPress updates a regular part of your workflow! So what‘s the best way to go about it?
The Proper Order for Updating WordPress
Here is the golden rule for updating your WordPress site safely:
WordPress core first, plugins second, themes last – and always back up before you start!
Let‘s break this down step-by-step.
Step 1: Back Up Everything
Before you click a single "update" button, it‘s essential that you capture a full backup of your WordPress site. This includes your database, plugins, themes, uploads, and WordPress core files.
Why is this so important? While WordPress updates typically go smoothly, there‘s always a chance that something could go wrong. A plugin could conflict with the new WordPress version, your theme‘s layout could break, or a buggy update could even bring your entire site down.
By having a fresh backup on hand, you can quickly restore your site to its previous working state if issues arise. Trust me – it‘s much easier than trying to troubleshoot and untangle problems after the fact!
There are a few different methods you can use to backup your WordPress site:
- Manually: Export your database via phpMyAdmin and download your WordPress files via FTP. Time-consuming but free.
- Via your host: Many WordPress hosts now offer 1-click backup tools. For example, WP Engine and SiteGround both have easy backup options.
- Backup plugins: Using a WordPress backup plugin is the most convenient and reliable option. My top picks are UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, and VaultPress.
Whichever route you choose, wait until the backup process finishes completely before moving on to updates. I also suggest downloading a copy of the backup files to your local computer, just in case your server crashes or your hosting account gets terminated.
Step 2: Update WordPress Core
Now that you have a full site backup, it‘s time to update WordPress core. This is the most important update because it often includes critical security patches and compatibility improvements.
First, check what version of WordPress you‘re currently running by hovering over the "Dashboard" menu. If it‘s more than 1-2 versions behind, I actually recommend updating WordPress before creating your backup. Many hosts and backup plugins won‘t even function properly if WordPress is too outdated.
When a new version of WordPress is available, you‘ll see a notification in your dashboard. You can initiate the update by clicking the "Update Now" button right there, or by going to Dashboard > Updates.
After a few moments, WordPress will finish updating itself and show a success message. Immediately go check your live site to make sure it still looks and functions as expected. Click around all the key pages and test core functionality like contact forms.
If you see the dreaded "White Screen of Death," stay calm. It likely means something went wrong during the update process. You can try:
- Refreshing the page and clearing your browser cache
- Reverting to one of the default WordPress themes (e.g. Twenty Twenty-Two)
- Disabling your plugins one by one to see if there‘s a conflict
If none of those work, you‘ll need to restore your site from the pre-update backup.
Here are a few extra tips for updating WordPress core safely:
- Check the minimum PHP version requirement and update your PHP first if needed.
- Consider updating during off-peak hours when you have less traffic.
- Use a staging site or local development environment to test major updates first.
- If you have multiple sites, consider using a management tool like ManageWP to update them all at once.
Step 3: Update Plugins (One at a Time)
After you‘ve successfully updated WordPress core, the next step is to update your plugins. This is where things can get a bit trickier, because not all plugins are developed with the same standards or kept up-to-date consistently.
To minimize the risk of something breaking, I strongly recommend updating your plugins ONE at a time, with a quick test of your site between each one. This way, if a plugin causes an issue, you‘ll know which one is the culprit.
Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins to see which of your plugins have updates available. Before updating anything, visit the plugin page and look at two things:
- When was it last updated? If it‘s been more than 6 months, be cautious – the plugin may have been abandoned.
- Are there a lot of support requests reporting bugs with the latest version? If so, you may want to hold off and monitor it.
To update a plugin, simply click the "update now" link below its name. After a few seconds, you‘ll see a success message. Immediately visit your site and test any functionality related to that plugin.
For example, if you just updated WooCommerce, add a product to your cart and complete the checkout process. If you run into errors, you may need to roll back to the previous version until a fix is released.
By methodically updating each plugin individually and testing as you go, you can catch any issues early before updating the rest.
Some extra plugin update tips:
- Focus on plugins that impact security first, like your firewall, spam protection, etc.
- Check for changelog notes to see what was added/changed in the update.
- Consider enabling auto-updates for plugins with a track record of smooth releases.
- Delete inactive plugins from your site to reduce update overhead and security risks.
Step 4: Update Your Theme
Once WordPress core and all your plugins are up-to-date, the final step is to update your theme. While perhaps not as critical as the previous two, keeping your theme current is still important for security, performance, and compatibility.
The process for updating a theme is similar to plugins. Go to Appearance > Themes to see if any updates are available. If there are, click the "Update now" link next to your active theme.
However, there is one key difference between plugin and theme updates. Most theme updates will overwrite any customizations you‘ve made to the theme‘s code or styling. The only way to avoid this is by using a child theme.
If you have indeed customized your theme beyond the included options, you‘ll need to either:
- Use a plugin like WP Customize Snapshot to save your changes before updating and re-apply them after.
- Manually update your theme via FTP, keeping a copy of your custom files so you can restore them.
- Work with a developer to create a child theme that inherits all the functionality of the parent while protecting your customizations.
After updating your theme, thoroughly test your live site again to make sure the design and layout are intact. Pay special attention to complex pages like your homepage, product pages, or landing pages.
Some other theme update best practices:
- Avoid updating your theme before a major launch or campaign, unless it‘s a critical security fix.
- Make a list of your customizations so you can easily replicate them after updating.
- Take screenshots of key pages on your site before/after in case you need to share them with the theme developer for support.
- Consider switching to a well-maintained, frequently updated theme framework like Genesis or Divi.
Update Troubleshooting Tips
Even if you follow the proper WordPress update order to a T, issues can still occasionally pop up. Don‘t panic! Follow this troubleshooting checklist:
- Clear your browser cache and cookies, then hard refresh the page.
- Deactivate your plugins one by one until you find the culprit.
- Revert to the default Twenty Twenty-Three theme to rule out theme conflicts.
- Define WP_DEBUG in your wp-config.php file and check error logs for clues.
- Restore your pre-update backup as a last resort.
If you‘re still stuck, don‘t hesitate to reach out for support from your host, theme/plugin developer, or the WordPress.org forums.
WordPress Update FAQs
Let‘s wrap up by addressing some of the most common questions I hear about WordPress updates:
Q: How often should I update WordPress?
A: At a minimum, update once per month. However, if a security vulnerability is discovered, update ASAP.
Q: Can I update straight from an old version to the latest?
A: Yes, WordPress is designed to support updates from many versions back. However, if you‘re several versions behind, update one version at a time.
Q: Is it OK to use auto-updates in WordPress?
A: Yes, as of WordPress 5.6, you can safely enable auto-updates for minor releases and security patches. I still recommend manually updating major versions.
Q: What if I don‘t update WordPress at all?
A: Your site will become progressively more insecure and incompatible over time. Updates are not optional!
Q: How long does the WordPress update process take?
A: For most sites, less than 5 minutes. The exact time depends on your hosting environment and how many plugins/themes you have.
Let‘s Recap
We covered a lot of ground! Here are the key takeaways on how to properly update your WordPress site in 2024:
- Always backup your entire WordPress site before updating anything, every time.
- Update WordPress core first, then plugins one by one, and finally your theme.
- Test your live site thoroughly after each update to catch issues early.
- Don‘t ignore updates! They are critical for your site‘s security and performance.
- Have a plan for rolling back if something goes wrong during an update.
By following this roadmap and implementing smart update habits, you‘ll keep your WordPress site humming along smoothly and securely. While updates may seem like a chore, remember what‘s at stake – your site‘s speed, functionality, and visitor trust.
Now that you‘re armed with this knowledge, you have no more excuses to put off those pending updates. Go backup your site and get updating!
And if you found this guide helpful, please consider sharing it with other WordPress site owners. Together, we can make the web a more secure and stable place, one update at a time.
