How to Update WordPress Safely: Step-by-Step Guide

To update WordPress safely, first create a full backup of your site including files and database. Then, deactivate plugins, update WordPress core, themes, and plugins one by one, and finally reactivate plugins while testing your site for issues.

Syntax

Updating WordPress involves these main steps:

• Backup: Save your site files and database.
• Deactivate Plugins: Temporarily turn off plugins to avoid conflicts.
• Update Core: Update the WordPress software itself.
• Update Themes and Plugins: Update themes and plugins individually.
• Reactivate Plugins: Turn plugins back on and test your site.

bash

wp plugin deactivate --all
wp core update
wp theme update --all
wp plugin update --all
wp plugin activate --all

Example

This example shows how to update WordPress core and plugins safely using the WP-CLI command line tool.

bash

# Step 1: Backup your site manually or with a plugin
# Step 2: Deactivate all plugins
wp plugin deactivate --all

# Step 3: Update WordPress core
wp core update

# Step 4: Update all themes
wp theme update --all

# Step 5: Update all plugins
wp plugin update --all

# Step 6: Reactivate all plugins
wp plugin activate --all

# Step 7: Test your site in browser to confirm all works well

Output

Success: All plugins deactivated.
Success: WordPress updated to latest version.
Success: All themes updated.
Success: All plugins updated.
Success: All plugins activated.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when updating WordPress include:

• Not backing up before updates, risking data loss.
• Updating everything at once without testing, causing site breakage.
• Ignoring plugin or theme compatibility, leading to errors.
• Not deactivating plugins before core update, which can cause conflicts.

Always backup first and update step-by-step.

bash

# Wrong way: Updating without backup or plugin deactivation
wp core update
wp plugin update --all

# Right way: Backup, deactivate plugins, update core, update themes, update plugins, reactivate
wp plugin deactivate --all
wp core update
wp theme update --all
wp plugin update --all
wp plugin activate --all

Quick Reference

Summary tips for safe WordPress updates:

• Backup: Always backup files and database before updating.
• Deactivate Plugins: Prevent conflicts by deactivating plugins before core update.
• Update in Order: Core first, then themes, then plugins.
• Test: Check your site after each update step.
• Use Staging: If possible, test updates on a staging site before live.

Key Takeaways

Always create a full backup before updating WordPress.

Deactivate plugins before updating the WordPress core to avoid conflicts.

Update WordPress core first, then themes, then plugins individually.

Test your site after each update step to catch issues early.

Use a staging environment to test updates before applying them live.