Keeping WordPress Up to Date
Running the latest version of WordPress is critical for security, performance, and compatibility. WordPress regularly releases updates that patch vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and introduce new features.
Checking for Updates
- Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
- Navigate to Dashboard > Updates.
- This page shows whether a new version of WordPress is available, along with any pending plugin and theme updates.
Updating WordPress
- Back up your site first. Always create a full backup before any major update. Use UpdraftPlus or Softaculous to back up files and the database.
- On the Updates page, click Update to version X.X.X.
- WordPress will download and install the update. Do not close your browser or navigate away during this process.
- Once complete, you will see a confirmation screen with details about the new version.
Automatic Updates
WordPress handles minor updates (security and maintenance releases) automatically by default. For major version updates, you have options:
- Enable automatic major updates: On the Updates page, click the link to enable automatic updates for all new versions.
- Softaculous auto-updates: In cPanel > Softaculous, edit your WordPress installation and enable automatic updates. Softaculous creates a backup before updating.
- Manual updates only: If you prefer full control, leave automatic major updates disabled and update manually when convenient.
What to Do If an Update Fails
- If your site shows a maintenance mode message, connect via File Manager or FTP and delete the file
.maintenancein your root directory. - If the update breaks your site, restore from your backup.
- Check for plugin or theme conflicts by disabling all plugins and switching to a default theme to isolate the problem.
Why Updates Matter
Outdated WordPress installations are the number one target for hackers. Security patches are released frequently, and delaying updates leaves your site vulnerable. We strongly recommend updating within 48 hours of a new release.