How do I update WordPress safely?

Keeping WordPress updated helps maintain compatibility, security and access to the latest features. Before updating, prepare the website so you can recover if something goes wrong.

1. Back up your website

Create a current backup before making updates. Ideally, the backup should include both your website files and database.

Make sure you know how to restore the backup rather than assuming that having a backup automatically means it can be recovered.

2. Check what needs updating

From the WordPress dashboard, review available updates for:

WordPress core
Plugins
Themes

Check the developer’s information for important compatibility notes, particularly before major changes.

3. Update in a controlled order

Update one component at a time where practical, especially on a website with many plugins or customisations. This makes it easier to identify which update caused a problem if something stops working.

Avoid making unrelated website changes at the same time.

4. Check the website after updating

After an update, visit the important parts of your website and test:

Homepage
Main pages
Navigation
Contact forms
Login areas
Important plugins or integrations

Check both desktop and mobile layouts.

5. Check for errors

If something is broken, identify which update or combination of changes may have caused the issue. Check the relevant plugin or theme documentation for compatibility information.

If necessary, use your backup or an appropriate rollback method after determining the safest way to restore the website.

6. Keep updates regular

Do not leave WordPress, themes or plugins outdated for long periods. Before future updates, continue using the same process: maintain a recent backup, review compatibility information and test the website afterwards.

Last Updated 2nd February 2026.

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We publish our Knowledge Base to help individuals and businesses resolve common issues across websites, advertising platforms, Salesforce and other digital systems.

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