To update WordPress safely, make a backup first, update one thing at a time and check your website once the updates are done. On most websites, WordPress already installs its own maintenance and security releases automatically. The updates you decide on yourself are the major versions of WordPress, your plugins and your theme.
Which WordPress updates are installed automatically?
Maintenance and security releases, such as the update from WordPress 7.1.1 to 7.1.2, are installed automatically on most websites. In this case, the ‘Updates’ screen in the ‘Dashboard’ menu states ‘This site is automatically kept up to date with maintenance and security releases of WordPress only.’ A major version, such as the update from WordPress 7.0 to 7.1, is only installed automatically if ‘Enable automatic updates for all new versions of WordPress.’ has been clicked on the same screen.
A plugin is only updated automatically if ‘Enable auto-updates’ has been clicked for that plugin on the ‘Plugins’ screen. Automatic updates are sensible for plugins that are well maintained, as most plugin updates fix vulnerabilities. Leave them off for plugins that change how your website looks or works, such as a page builder or a shop, and update those plugins by hand.
In which order should WordPress, plugins and the theme be updated?
Make a backup first, then update WordPress, then the plugins, then the theme. Plugin developers test their updates against the newest version of WordPress, and some plugin updates are only offered once WordPress itself is up to date.
Update the plugins one at a time rather than all at once. If your website stops working after an update, you then know which plugin caused it. If your hosting provider offers a staging copy of your website, install major updates there first.
What should you check after updating WordPress?
Visit your website and check the pages and functions that matter most, not only the home page. Fill in each form to see whether it is still sent, and click through to the pages where visitors sign up, donate or purchase a ticket. A website can look exactly as before on the home page while the entries of a form no longer arrive.
What if an update breaks your WordPress website?
Restore the backup that you made before the update, or deactivate the plugin that you updated last. If your website only shows ‘There has been a critical error on this website.’, read Fixing a critical error in WordPress.
Would you rather leave the updates to us? Send us an email at hello@fourteenrockets.com about our WordPress subscriptions.
