How to Update WordPress Safely

Keeping WordPress updated is an important part of maintaining a secure, stable, and reliable website. WordPress regularly releases updates that can include security fixes, bug fixes, performance improvements, new features, and compatibility changes.

However, updating a live WordPress website without preparation can sometimes cause problems. A plugin may not be compatible with a new WordPress version, a theme may require changes, or a server configuration may prevent the update from completing correctly.

The good news is that WordPress updates can be performed safely by following a structured process.

In this guide, you will learn how to update WordPress safely, what to do before updating, how to update WordPress manually or automatically, how to update plugins and themes, and what to do if an update causes a problem.

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Why Should You Update WordPress?

WordPress updates are released for several reasons.

Security Improvements

Security releases can address vulnerabilities discovered in WordPress or its components.

Keeping WordPress updated reduces the risk of running known vulnerabilities that have already been fixed in newer versions.

Bug Fixes

Updates can correct problems affecting:

• WordPress Dashboard
• Block Editor
• Media handling
• Themes
• Plugins
• Database operations
• Other WordPress functionality

New Features

Major WordPress releases can introduce new functionality and improvements to the editing and site-management experience.

Performance Improvements

Some updates may improve the efficiency or performance of WordPress components.

Compatibility

New versions can improve compatibility with current versions of PHP, themes, plugins, browsers, and other software.

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What Should You Update in WordPress?

A WordPress website consists of several components that may require updates.

These include:

• WordPress core
• Plugins
• Themes
• PHP
• Database-related components
• Security software
• Other server software

WordPress core, plugins, and themes are generally updated from the WordPress Dashboard.

PHP and server software are usually managed through your hosting control panel or server administration tools.

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Before Updating WordPress: Create a Backup

The most important preparation step is creating a current backup.

A WordPress website generally consists of:

WordPress Files
+
Database
=
Website

A useful backup should include both the website files and database.

The files can contain:

• WordPress core files
• Themes
• Plugins
• Uploaded media
• Configuration files
• Other website files

The database can contain:

• Posts
• Pages
• Users
• Settings
• Comments
• Plugin data
• Other website information

Do not assume that a backup of only the WordPress database is sufficient.

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Verify That Your Backup Works

Creating a backup is useful only if it can actually be restored.

Before performing major updates, make sure you know:

• Where the backup is stored
• When it was created
• What it contains
• How to restore it
• Whether your hosting provider offers restoration tools

For important websites, maintain backups independently of the website server when possible.

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Check Your Current WordPress Version

Before updating, determine which version of WordPress your website is currently running.

You can usually find this information in:

Dashboard → Updates

You may also see the version information in the WordPress Dashboard interface.

Knowing the current version makes it easier to confirm that the update completed successfully.

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Check Plugin and Theme Compatibility

Before installing a major WordPress update, review your active plugins and theme.

Pay particular attention to:

• Plugins that are essential to your website
• E-commerce plugins
• Page builders
• Security plugins
• Caching plugins
• Custom themes
• Plugins that modify WordPress functionality

Check whether the developers have released compatible versions.

An outdated plugin can sometimes cause problems after WordPress core is updated.

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Check Your PHP Version

WordPress runs on PHP, so your hosting environment should use a PHP version supported by your WordPress version and website components.

You can often check PHP information through:

Tools → Site Health

You may also be able to check or change the PHP version through your hosting control panel.

Before changing PHP, verify compatibility with your theme and plugins.

Do not change PHP and WordPress core simultaneously unless you have a tested recovery plan. Changing one component at a time makes troubleshooting easier.

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Check WordPress Site Health

WordPress includes a Site Health tool that can identify certain configuration and performance issues.

Go to:

Tools → Site Health

Review the available recommendations and critical issues before performing a major update.

Resolving important problems first can reduce the chance of an update-related complication.

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Put a Maintenance Plan in Place

If your website is important to your business, avoid treating updates as an entirely routine operation.

Have a simple recovery plan:

Backup
   ↓
Check Compatibility
   ↓
Update
   ↓
Test
   ↓
Restore if Necessary

For larger websites, consider testing updates on a staging environment before applying them to production.

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Use a Staging Website for Major Changes

A staging website is a separate copy of your website where you can test updates before applying them to the live site.

A typical workflow is:

Live Website
     ↓
Create Staging Copy
     ↓
Update WordPress
     ↓
Update Plugins
     ↓
Update Theme
     ↓
Test Everything
     ↓
Deploy Changes to Live Website

Staging is particularly useful for:

• E-commerce websites
• Membership websites
• Business websites
• High-traffic websites
• Websites with many plugins
• Custom WordPress installations

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How to Update WordPress Automatically

WordPress can automatically install certain updates, depending on your configuration.

Automatic updates can be useful for maintaining current software without manually checking every release.

However, automatic updates should be configured thoughtfully, especially on websites with complex plugin or theme dependencies.

For critical websites, maintain reliable backups and monitor the site after automatic updates.

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How to Update WordPress From the Dashboard

The WordPress Dashboard provides a straightforward way to update WordPress.

Step 1: Log In to WordPress

Open:

https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/

Log in using an account with sufficient administrative privileges.

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Step 2: Open the Updates Page

Go to:

Dashboard → Updates

You may see available updates for:

• WordPress
• Plugins
• Themes
• Translations

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Step 3: Check the Available WordPress Update

If a newer version is available, WordPress will display an update option.

Review the displayed information before proceeding.

If you have not created a recent backup, create one before continuing.

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Step 4: Start the WordPress Update

Click the button provided to update WordPress.

During the update, WordPress may temporarily place the website into maintenance mode.

Do not close the browser or interrupt the process unnecessarily.

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Step 5: Wait for the Update to Complete

Allow WordPress enough time to finish the update.

The duration depends on factors such as:

• Hosting performance
• Internet connection
• Server configuration
• WordPress version
• Number of files being updated

When the update completes, WordPress should display a confirmation message.

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How to Update WordPress Plugins Safely

Plugins can be updated from:

Dashboard → Updates

or:

Plugins → Installed Plugins

Before updating an important plugin:

1. Check whether a new version is available.
2. Review the plugin’s changelog when appropriate.
3. Confirm that your WordPress version is supported.
4. Make sure you have a recent backup.
5. Update the plugin.
6. Test the website.

For websites with many plugins, avoid updating everything blindly without checking for important compatibility issues.

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How to Update a WordPress Theme

Go to:

Dashboard → Updates

or:

Appearance → Themes

If an update is available, WordPress will provide an update option.

Before updating a theme, check whether you have made custom modifications to its files.

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What About Child Themes?

If you have modified a theme directly, those changes can potentially be overwritten when the theme is updated.

A child theme is commonly used to keep custom theme modifications separate from the parent theme.

For example:

Parent Theme
     +
Child Theme
     ↓
Custom Changes

When the parent theme is updated, changes stored properly in the child theme can remain intact.

However, not every customization can be safely moved to a child theme automatically. Review your site’s implementation before updating.

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Update Plugins Before or After WordPress Core?

There is no universal rule that every website must follow the same update order.

A sensible approach is to:

1. Review the WordPress update information.
2. Check compatibility of important plugins and themes.
3. Back up the website.
4. Apply updates in a controlled manner.
5. Test the website after each significant change.

For a simple website, updating through the WordPress Dashboard may be sufficient.

For a complex website, staging and controlled updates provide more opportunities to identify compatibility problems before they affect visitors.

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How to Update WordPress Manually

Manual updates can be useful if the normal Dashboard update fails or if you need to manage the update through server access.

The general process involves:

1. Create a complete backup.
2. Download the appropriate WordPress package from the official WordPress.org website.
3. Access the server using an appropriate method such as SSH, SFTP, or your hosting control panel.
4. Replace the appropriate WordPress core files.
5. Preserve your wp-content directory and configuration carefully.
6. Complete any required database update.
7. Test the website.

Manual updates require more technical knowledge than Dashboard updates.

Do not overwrite website files blindly. Incorrect file operations can damage a WordPress installation.

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How to Update WordPress Using WP-CLI

Advanced WordPress administrators can use WP-CLI to manage updates.

For example:

wp core update

You can check the current WordPress version with:

wp core version

To check available updates:

wp core check-update

To update plugins:

wp plugin update --all

To update themes:

wp theme update --all

Before using WP-CLI on a production website, create a reliable backup and understand exactly what each command will modify.

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What to Do After Updating WordPress

The update is not finished when WordPress displays a success message.

You should test the website.

Check the Homepage

Open the homepage and verify that:

• It loads correctly
• Images appear
• Navigation works
• Layout looks normal
• Important sections are visible

Test Important Pages

Open key pages such as:

• About
• Services
• Pricing
• Contact
• Blog
• Login
• Checkout

The exact pages depend on your website.

Test Forms

Submit important forms to make sure they continue working.

Test Login

Confirm that administrators and other important users can log in.

Check the WordPress Dashboard

Look for unexpected warnings or errors.

Check the Browser Console

If you notice front-end problems, browser developer tools can sometimes reveal JavaScript errors.

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Clear Website Caches After Updating

Caching can sometimes cause an updated website to appear unchanged.

If you use caching, you may need to clear:

• WordPress plugin cache
• Server cache
• Object cache
• CDN cache
• Browser cache

After clearing the cache, reload the website and test again.

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How to Check Whether WordPress Was Updated Successfully

Go to:

Dashboard → Updates

Check whether WordPress reports that you are running the latest available version.

You can also check the version information in the Dashboard or through WP-CLI.

Using WP-CLI:

wp core version

Compare the result with the version you intended to install.

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Common WordPress Update Problems

WordPress Update Gets Stuck

If the update appears to be stuck, do not immediately refresh the page repeatedly.

First check whether the server is still processing the update.

If the website enters maintenance mode and remains there, additional recovery steps may be required.

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WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode

During updates, WordPress may temporarily create a .maintenance file in the WordPress root directory.

If the update has completed but the website remains stuck in maintenance mode, an administrator with server access may need to remove the .maintenance file.

Before deleting it, confirm that the update process is no longer running.

If you are uncomfortable accessing server files, contact your hosting provider.

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White Screen or Fatal Error After an Update

A plugin or theme incompatibility can sometimes cause a fatal PHP error.

Possible troubleshooting steps include:

1. Identify the component mentioned in the error.
2. Disable the problematic plugin or theme if possible.
3. Check whether an updated compatible version is available.
4. Review WordPress and PHP compatibility.
5. Restore from backup if necessary.

If you cannot access the WordPress Dashboard, server-level methods such as SFTP, hosting file manager, or WP-CLI may be required to disable a problematic plugin.

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Website Layout Is Broken After Updating

If the website loads but the design looks incorrect:

• Clear caches.
• Check the active theme.
• Update compatible plugins.
• Check page-builder compatibility.
• Regenerate cached assets if your page builder provides such an option.
• Inspect browser console errors.

If the problem started immediately after a particular plugin or theme update, investigate that component first.

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Plugin Stops Working After a WordPress Update

Check the plugin’s documentation and changelog for compatibility information.

You may need to:

• Update the plugin
• Contact the plugin developer
• Temporarily deactivate the plugin
• Restore a compatible version
• Restore the website from a known-good backup

Avoid leaving a vulnerable or unsupported plugin installed simply because it is currently working.

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How to Roll Back a WordPress Update

If an update causes serious problems, restoring a known-good backup may be the safest recovery method.

Before restoring, determine:

• What changed
• Which component caused the problem
• Whether a compatible update is available
• Whether restoring will remove recent customer or website data

For an active website, be particularly careful with database restoration because newer transactions, registrations, orders, comments, or submissions may exist after the backup was created.

For this reason, a rollback should be planned rather than performed blindly.

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How to Safely Update a WordPress Website With WooCommerce

E-commerce websites require additional caution.

Before updating:

• Back up files and database.
• Check WooCommerce compatibility.
• Check payment gateway compatibility.
• Check shipping plugins.
• Check tax-related plugins.
• Check theme compatibility.
• Test checkout on staging when possible.

After updating, test:

Product
   ↓
Add to Cart
   ↓
Checkout
   ↓
Payment
   ↓
Order Confirmation

Also check existing orders and customer account functionality.

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How Often Should WordPress Be Updated?

There is no single interval that applies to every website.

Instead, monitor available updates regularly.

Security updates should receive prompt attention, while major updates may benefit from additional compatibility testing.

A useful maintenance routine is:

Check Updates
      ↓
Review Changes
      ↓
Create Backup
      ↓
Test
      ↓
Update
      ↓
Verify Website

Do not leave WordPress, plugins, or themes outdated for long periods without a specific reason.

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Best Practices for Safe WordPress Updates

1. Always Maintain Recent Backups

Keep reliable backups before significant updates.

2. Use Staging for Important Websites

Test major changes before applying them to production.

3. Update Regularly

Regular maintenance generally makes updates easier than allowing software to become several versions behind.

4. Check Compatibility

Review important plugins and themes before major updates.

5. Update One Major Component at a Time

When troubleshooting is important, changing several unrelated components simultaneously can make the source of a problem harder to identify.

6. Monitor the Website After Updating

Check important pages and functions after updates.

7. Protect Administrator Accounts

Only trusted users should have administrative privileges.

8. Keep PHP Supported

Use a PHP version that is supported by your WordPress version, theme, plugins, and hosting environment.

9. Remove Unused Plugins and Themes

Unused software can increase maintenance and security concerns. Remove components that are genuinely no longer needed.

10. Keep a Recovery Plan

Know how to restore your website before you need to do it.

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WordPress Update Checklist

Use this checklist before updating a production website:

• Check the current WordPress version
• Review available updates
• Create a complete backup
• Verify the backup
• Check plugin compatibility
• Check theme compatibility
• Check PHP compatibility
• Review Site Health
• Use staging for major changes
• Update WordPress
• Update plugins and themes as appropriate
• Clear caches
• Test the homepage
• Test important pages
• Test forms
• Test login
• Test e-commerce functionality if applicable
• Monitor the website after the update

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to update WordPress?

WordPress updates are a normal part of website maintenance, but updates can sometimes expose compatibility problems with plugins, themes, or server configurations. Backups and testing reduce the impact of unexpected issues.

Should I back up WordPress before updating?

Yes. A current and restorable backup is an important precaution before major updates.

Can I update WordPress directly from the Dashboard?

Yes. If your installation is configured normally, you can update WordPress from Dashboard → Updates.

Will updating WordPress delete my website?

A normal WordPress core update is not intended to delete your content. However, backups are still important because themes, plugins, custom code, and server configurations can introduce compatibility problems.

Should I update plugins and WordPress at the same time?

It depends on the website. Review compatibility and use a controlled process. On important websites, testing updates separately can make troubleshooting easier.

What should I do if my website breaks after an update?

Identify the component causing the problem, check for compatible updates, and use your backup or staging environment if necessary. If you cannot identify the issue, contact your hosting provider or a WordPress professional.

Can I update WordPress without cPanel?

Yes. WordPress can normally be updated through its Dashboard. Advanced users can also use WP-CLI, SSH, or other server-management methods.

Does updating WordPress affect my content?

A normal core update should preserve your posts, pages, media, users, and database content. Nevertheless, always maintain a current backup.

Should I update WordPress automatically?

Automatic updates can be convenient, particularly for routine maintenance, but important websites should still have reliable backups and monitoring in place.

How do I know if the WordPress update was successful?

Check Dashboard → Updates, verify the installed version, and test your website’s important pages and functionality.

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Conclusion

Updating WordPress is an essential part of maintaining a secure and reliable website. However, safe updating involves more than simply clicking an update button.

Before updating, create and verify a backup, check plugin and theme compatibility, review your PHP environment, and use a staging website when appropriate. After the update, test the homepage, important pages, forms, login system, and any business-critical features.

For a simple website, the standard WordPress Dashboard may be all you need. For complex or business-critical websites, a controlled workflow using backups, staging, compatibility checks, and post-update testing provides a stronger maintenance process.

A good WordPress update routine can be summarized as:

Backup → Check Compatibility → Update → Test → Monitor

Following this process helps you keep WordPress current while reducing the risk of unexpected downtime or compatibility problems.