How Do You Safely Update WordPress Without Breaking Your Site?

Are you looking to update your WordPress site but worried about the unknown consequences? Worry not; you’re not the only one muddled here. 

Updating WordPress on a regular basis is a significant practice to keep your website safe and secure from any potential performance or security malware. However, many beginners are worried about how to safely update WordPress without breaking your site.

As important as updating your WordPress to the latest version is, it is also essential to update the site with the correct process to avoid any site interference or breakage. The fear is pretty common and obvious; however, there are many ways to update WordPress safely with WordPress maintenance service and without breaking your site. 

Today, we will shed light on the considerations before updating the site, how to update WordPress safely, and how to avoid any mishaps while updating your site. 

So, let’s get started. 

Why You Should Update Your WordPress Site?

Wondering if updating your WordPress site is worth the risk of potential breakage? The answer is a resounding YES. Updating your WordPress is essential for maintaining your site’s security, performance, and overall health.

Related: Malware Removal Services Vs. Website Security Services

Key Benefits of Updating WordPress:

Enhanced Security: Outdated WordPress sites are prime targets for hackers. Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities, making it harder for cybercriminals to exploit your site.

Improved Performance: Every WordPress update brings performance improvements. These updates can make your site faster and more efficient, ensuring a smoother experience for your visitors. Faster websites also rank better on search engines, which can boost your traffic.

Also Read: Understanding And Resolving WordPress Multisite Issues

New Features and Enhancements: Updates often come with new features that enhance your website’s functionality. These features can include improved user interfaces, new tools for content management, and better customization options. 

Compatibility with Themes and Plugins: WordPress updates ensure compatibility with the latest versions of themes and plugins. Running outdated software can lead to conflicts, causing your site to malfunction. 

Compliance with Web Standards: Regular updates ensure that your WordPress site complies with the latest web standards, keeping it modern and accessible to all users.

Explore: ADA Compliance for WordPress

Support and Maintenance: Running the latest version of WordPress ensures you receive the best support from developers. Outdated versions might not get the same level of support, leaving you to solve problems on your own.

Ignoring updates can leave your site vulnerable to attacks, slow performance, and compatibility issues. Therefore, updating your WordPress site is not just about getting the latest features—it’s about maintaining security, performance, and overall site health.

Check out: Ultimate WordPress Security Guide For 2024

Things to Do Before Updating WordPress

Now that you have all the information on why you should update your site regularly, let’s see what things you need to keep in mind before updating your WordPress. 

Create a Backup of Your site 

The most important and foremost thing to do before updating your site to the latest WordPress version is to create a complete backup of your site. This keeps you away from any possible threat or avoids any harm to your site during the update process. 

For creating a WordPress backup, you can either go with automated backup plugins or create a completely new backup and store it safely in your device or any safe cloud storage. 

You can also use automated plugins like VaultPress or Duplicator, which are some of the easiest and quickest solutions to create a site backup. There are many other free and premium backup solutions that you can try, and pick the one compatible with your site. 

Check out: Best WordPress Backup Plugins

Use WP Safe Updates to Test Plugin Updates

Due to multiple version compatibilities and frequent new additions, Plugin conflicts are common during WordPress updates. To avoid any plugin conflict during your site update, you can use WP Safe Updates, which are designed to spot any likely conflict that might hinder the update process or affect your live site. 

Also Read: How To Fix Rank Math Plugin SEO Conflict?

Currently, if you use WP Safe Updates, it adds a new Test Update button displayed when a plugin update is available. When you click on it, preview the plugin’s changes before committing to them. 

It will also show exactly how the updates might behave on your site when you do things like creating new posts or changing the settings. 

Review Core Update Changelogs for Conflicts

It is important to read and review the changelogs for any potential conflicts on the site. It is important to update our site to the newest version and enjoy all the new changes; however, it is also vital to understand which new change is necessary and compatible with your site. 

You do not want any changes that interrupt your site performance and cause any hindrance in the set-up process. You can find the changelog depending on what you are updating in WordPress themes, plugins or the WordPress core. You’ll always find a changelog with all the required information about the updates of every new version up to date. 

So, do remember to read that before updating the site! 

Read: How to Migrate from Drupal to WordPress: Complete Guide

Set Up a Staging Environment

A staging environment is a clone of your site where you can test updates without affecting your live site.

Use plugins like WP Staging or leverage your hosting provider’s staging features. This allows you to test updates and troubleshoot any issues before applying them to your live site.

Testing updates in a staging environment ensures that any problems are caught and fixed before they can affect your live site.

Deactivate Caching and Security Plugins

Caching and security plugins can sometimes interfere with the update process. Deactivating them temporarily ensures a smoother update.

How to Do It: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins, and deactivate any caching and security plugins before starting the update.

Review Update Notes

• Why It’s Important: Update notes provide information about what’s changed and any known issues. Reviewing these notes helps you anticipate any potential problems.
• Where to Find Them: Check the WordPress.org website or the update section in your WordPress dashboard for detailed release notes.

How to Safely Update WordPress Without Breaking Your Site

Now that you are prepared for the update let’s work on how to update WordPress safely without breaking your site.  

Now, there are two ways to update your site safely. The first is to update it automatically, and the other is manually updating it. We’ll examine both methods below. 

Method 1: Updating WordPress Automatically Using a built-in system

This method is recommended if you are a beginner and want to update your site easily and quickly. 

• To begin, log in to the admin dashboard and go to the updates page
• You’ll see that the latest version of WordPress will be available on the page
• Click on the “Update to version” button to start the process 
• WordPress will start with the updating process and install the latest version for you
• You can see the update process on your screen 

Please note that while the whole update is ongoing, your site will be put into maintenance mode. It means that your site is still available to the users, but you cannot install any plugins or themes at that time. 

Related: How To Fix “Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance” In WordPress

Once the update is finished, you’ll be redirected to a fresh WordPress welcome screen with all the information regarding the version and what new features it comes with. 

And Voila, your WordPress is updated to the latest version Without any Interruption or breakage! 

Know More: WordPress Maintenance: Top Service Providers To Care For Your Site

Method 2: Update WordPress Manually With FTP

This second method requires using FTP and manually updating your WordPress to the latest version. You can use this method if the above doesn’t work well for you. (“Because when one door closes, another door opens”) 

Alright, that being said, let’s move ahead with the steps ahead: 

• Head over to the WordPress download page and download the latest version of WordPress from there.
• Now, WordPress will be downloaded as a zip file. Extract that zip file. 
• Inside that zip file, you’ll find a WordPress folder which contains all the important files you need to update 
• Next, open the FTP client and connect it to your website. Go to the WordPress folder extracted from the zip file in the remote files column. 
• Now, remote files column> website root folder > and you’ll find either a folder with your website’s domain name or a general public_HTML file. This file has all your WordPress files and folders. 
• Select all the files inside the folder and right-click to select upload.
• The FTP client will begin uploading all the selected files to your website.
• When the process is complete, navigate to the admin area of your WordPress site. If you see a newer version of your WordPress, you must also update your database. 
• If you see an update required, simply click the “Update WordPress Database” button and continue the process. 

Once the above steps are completed, you will have successfully updated your site to the newest WordPress version! 

Learn here: How To Setup An FTP Account For WordPress?

Automatic vs. Manual Updates

Automatic Updates

Pros

• Convenience: Set it and forget it. Automatic updates ensure your site is always running the latest version without any manual intervention.
• Security: Automatic updates promptly apply security patches, reducing the window of vulnerability.

Cons:

• Risk of Compatibility Issues: Themes and plugins may not be immediately compatible with new updates, potentially causing site issues.
• Lack of Control: You may miss out on reviewing what changes are being made, which can be crucial for major updates.

Manual Updates

Pros:

• Control: You can review update notes and test compatibility with your themes and plugins before applying updates.
• Customization: Allows for a more customized approach to updates, including backup creation and plugin deactivation.

Cons:

• Time-Consuming: Requires regular monitoring and manual intervention, which can be time-consuming.
• Knowledge Required: A basic understanding of WordPress and its update process is necessary.

Updating Themes and Plugins Without Breaking Your Site

Keeping your themes and plugins updated is crucial for the security, performance, and functionality of your WordPress site. Here’s how to do it safely, without running into issues.

How to Safely Update Themes

Checking for Theme Updates

Regularly checking for theme updates is essential to keep your site secure and functional. You can easily spot update notifications in your WordPress dashboard by navigating to Appearance > Themes. 

Additionally, it’s a good practice to visit the theme developer’s website or repository periodically for any update announcements and detailed instructions that might not appear directly in your dashboard.

How to: Safely Update WordPress from Version PHP 7 Without Breaking the Site

Common Issues with Theme Updates

Updating themes can sometimes lead to issues like layout changes or lost customizations. Layout problems may arise if the update modifies the design elements of your theme. 

To prevent this, always test updates in a staging environment before applying them to your live site. If custom changes are lost during an update, it’s likely because the customizations were made directly to the theme files.

To avoid this, use a child theme for customizations. This practice ensures that your changes are preserved even when the parent theme is updated.

How to Safely Update Plugins

Checking for Plugin Updates

Keeping your plugins up-to-date is vital for the health of your WordPress site. You can find update notifications in your WordPress dashboard under Plugins. It’s also helpful to visit the plugin developer’s website for detailed update information and changelogs. 

Staying informed about updates helps you anticipate changes and prepare for any potential compatibility issues.

Manual vs. Automatic Plugin Updates

Similar to themes, plugins can be updated manually or automatically. Manual updates give you the chance to review and ensure compatibility with your site. 

To manually update a plugin, go to Plugins, locate the plugin that needs updating, and click ‘Update Now.’ Automatic updates, while convenient, can be set up for minor updates using a plugin like Easy Updates Manager. This approach ensures your plugins stay up-to-date without requiring constant attention.

Common Issues with Plugin Updates

Plugin updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues or break certain functionalities on your site. To mitigate these risks, always test updates in a staging environment first. If you encounter compatibility issues, deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one to identify the conflict.

If an update breaks functionality, check the plugin’s changelog for any breaking changes and consider reverting to a previous version. Contact the plugin developer for support if needed.

Read: Plugin And Themes Auto-Updates

Things to Keep in Mind After Updating 

Once you’ve successfully updated WordPress, your themes, and plugins, it’s crucial to perform a few post-update tasks to ensure everything is running smoothly. Here’s a checklist to guide you through the essential steps:

Check Your Site

After completing the updates, the first thing you should do is thoroughly check your site to ensure everything is functioning as expected. Navigate through your site’s pages, test forms, and interactive elements, and ensure that all plugins and features are working correctly. 

Pay special attention to any custom functionalities or critical pages such as the homepage, contact forms, and checkout processes. This step helps you catch any issues that might have arisen during the update and address them promptly.

Clear Caches

Clearing caches is a vital step after updating WordPress. Cached files might still reflect the pre-update state of your site, causing issues like broken layouts or outdated content to appear. Clear both your browser cache and your site’s cache. If you use a caching plugin, clear the cache through the plugin’s settings. 

Additionally, if your hosting provider offers server-level caching, ensure that those caches are cleared as well. This ensures that visitors see the most recent version of your site without any conflicts from old cached files.

Monitor Your Site

Finally, it’s important to monitor your site’s performance and functionality over the next few days after the update. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your site’s uptime and performance metrics. 

Keep an eye on your site’s speed, user engagement, and any error logs that might indicate underlying issues. Monitoring your site helps you quickly identify and resolve any problems that could affect your visitors’ experience. 

If you notice any significant drops in performance or functionality, investigate and address them immediately.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite careful preparation and following best practices, updates can sometimes lead to issues on your WordPress site. Here’s how to troubleshoot and resolve some of the most common problems that might arise.

White Screen of Death

The dreaded White Screen of Death (WSOD) is one of the most alarming issues, where your site displays a blank white screen with no error messages. This can be caused by various factors, such as memory limits, plugin conflicts, or theme issues.

Solution: First, increase your memory limit by editing your wp-config.php file and adding define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);.

If that doesn’t work, disable all plugins by renaming the plugins folder via FTP. This will deactivate all plugins and help you determine if a plugin is causing the issue. 

If the site comes back, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit. If the problem persists, switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One to see if the issue is theme-related.

Plugin Conflicts

Plugin conflicts can occur when two or more plugins interfere with each other, causing functionality issues or site crashes. This is especially common after updates.

Solution: To identify the conflicting plugin, deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one by one. After reactivating each plugin, check your site to see if the issue reappears. 

When you identify the problematic plugin, check if there’s an update available for it or contact the plugin developer for support. In some cases, you may need to find an alternative plugin that offers similar functionality.

Theme Issues

Theme issues can manifest as broken layouts, missing elements, or errors after an update. These problems often arise from compatibility issues between the updated WordPress core and your theme.

Solution: Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One to see if the issue persists. If switching to a default theme resolves the problem, the issue lies with your original theme. Check if there’s an update available for your theme. If no update is available or the issue remains, contact the theme developer for support. Additionally, ensure that any customizations were made using a child theme to prevent them from being overwritten during updates.

Reverting to a Previous Version

If an update causes significant issues that you’re unable to resolve, reverting to a previous version of WordPress, a theme, or a plugin may be necessary.

Solution: Use your backup to restore your site to its previous state. If you use a backup plugin like Blogvault, you can easily restore your site from within the plugin’s interface. 

If you don’t have a backup, you can manually downgrade WordPress by downloading the previous version from the WordPress repository, and then uploading it via FTP. 

Similarly, for themes and plugins, you can download earlier versions from the respective repositories and manually replace the updated files via FTP.

Seahawk – Your WordPress Support Partner

At Seahawk, we understand that managing a WordPress site can be challenging, especially when it comes to updates and maintenance. Our mission is to make your WordPress experience seamless and worry-free, allowing you to focus on what you do best—running your business.

Expert WordPress Support

Our team of WordPress experts is here to assist you with every aspect of your website. Whether it’s updating your WordPress core, themes, and plugins, or troubleshooting common issues, we’ve got you covered. 

We stay up-to-date with the latest WordPress developments to ensure your site remains secure, fast, and functional.

Comprehensive Maintenance Services

Seahawk offers comprehensive WordPress services including maintenance & support designed to keep your site running smoothly. Our services include regular backups, security monitoring, performance optimization, and update management. 

With Seahawk handling your site’s maintenance, you can rest assured that your site is always in top shape.

Customized Solutions

We understand that every website is unique, which is why we offer customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need help with a minor issue or a complete site overhaul, our team is ready to provide the support you need. 

We work closely with you to understand your requirements and deliver solutions that meet your goals.

Reliable Support

Our support team is available to assist you whenever you need it. We pride ourselves on our quick response times and effective solutions. Whether you have a question, need advice, or face a technical issue, Seahawk is just a call or click away.

Why Choose Seahawk?

• Expertise: Our team consists of WordPress professionals with years of experience.
• Reliability: We provide dependable services to ensure your site is always running smoothly.
• Customization: We offer tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.
• Support: Our dedicated support team is always ready to help.

If you are still facing any issues and is not listed above, then you need WordPress support services, check out Free & Premium Resources for WordPress help. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, ensuring a safe and smooth WordPress update is crucial for maintaining the security, functionality, and overall health of your website. By following best practices, such as regularly backing up your site, deactivating plugins, and testing updates in a staging environment, you can minimize the risk of encountering issues during the update process. 

Remember to check the latest updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins, as developers often release improvements and security patches. In the event of any challenges or site breakages, post-update, have a systematic approach to troubleshooting and don’t hesitate to seek help from the WordPress community or professionals. 

With a proactive and cautious approach, you can keep your WordPress site up-to-date and running smoothly, ensuring a secure and optimal online presence for your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions