How to Update WordPress Plugins and Themes Safely

Key Takeaways

• Outdated WordPress software is the #1 entry point for hackers. The most common way hackers gain access to your site is through outdated themes, plugins, and WordPress versions  even deactivated themes and plugins can expose your system.
• Never update directly on your live site without a backup first. 75% of WordPress users do not back up before updates  which means when things go wrong, they lose everything.
• The correct update order is: WordPress core first, then plugins, then themes. The WordPress core system should usually be updated before plugins and themes. Core updates include important security fixes and compatibility improvements that ensure the system environment is ready for the latest plugin and theme versions.
• Update plugins one at a time  not all at once. A safer approach is to update plugins gradually rather than all at once. This makes it much easier to identify which plugin caused a problem if something stops working.
• Security updates need to happen immediately  not on a weekly schedule. Security vulnerabilities necessitate timely updates. Those updates must be made as soon as possible rather than on a set schedule.
• If you have customized your theme directly, use a child theme before updating. Updating a parent theme overwrites any direct edits to theme files. A child theme protects your customizations permanently.
• In January 2026 alone, over 536 vulnerabilities were disclosed across 436 plugins and 59 themes. As soon as a security patch is released, attackers begin exploiting unpatched sites. The window between patch and exploit is shrinking every year.

Introduction

There is a notification sitting in your WordPress dashboard right now. Probably several. “WordPress 6.8 is available.” “3 plugins have updates.” “Your theme has a new version.”

Most people either click “Update All” without thinking  or ignore the notifications entirely for weeks. Both approaches are wrong, and both can break your site or leave it wide open to attack.

The correct way to update WordPress is neither reckless nor paralyzed. It is methodical. It takes ten extra minutes per update cycle. And those ten minutes are the difference between a site that runs smoothly for years and one that goes down at the worst possible moment.

This guide walks you through the complete, professional update process for WordPress core, plugins, and themes  the same process used by developers who manage hundreds of WordPress sites without breaking them.

What You Will Learn

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why keeping WordPress updated is not optional  and what the real security risks are
• The exact order to update WordPress core, plugins, and themes
• How to create a complete backup before every update  and which tool to use
• How to use a staging environment to test updates before they go live
• How to update WordPress core safely, step by step
• How to update plugins one at a time and catch problems early
• How to update themes without losing your customizations
• How to set up automatic updates intelligently  and which updates should never be automatic
• What to do when an update breaks your site  the exact recovery process
• How to handle plugins that have not been updated in months or years

Why WordPress Updates Matter The Real Stakes

Before getting into the how, it is worth understanding exactly what you are protecting against  because “keep your site updated” sounds like generic advice until you see the numbers.

In January 2026 alone, over 536 vulnerabilities were disclosed across 436 plugins and 59 themes. As soon as a security patch is released, attackers begin exploiting unpatched sites. This is not theoretical. Security researchers identify a vulnerability, a patch is released publicly, and within hours automated bots are scanning the internet for sites still running the vulnerable version.

Because WordPress is an open source system with an active community that monitors the software for security issues, any weaknesses are publicly discussed and a fix is made as soon as possible. But the public nature of all this means that anyone wanting to attack your site will know about the problem with a given version  and could target sites using that version.

Beyond security, updates matter for three other reasons:

Compatibility. WordPress core is updated regularly. Plugins and themes that are not updated alongside it can create conflicts  leading to white screens, broken layouts, or failed functionality.

Performance. New versions are optimised for better speed and performance. Updates ensure plugins, themes, and WordPress core work seamlessly together.

Bug fixes. If you are experiencing issues with a plugin or theme, the first troubleshooting step is always to check for updates. Plugin developers are constantly releasing patches to fix bugs that users have reported.

The Correct Update Order

This is the most important thing to get right. Updates need to happen in a specific sequence to minimise the chance of conflicts:

1. Backup everything (files + database)
2. Update WordPress core
3. Test the site
4. Update plugins (one at a time)
5. Test after each plugin update
6. Update themes
7. Final full test

Order matters: update WordPress core first, then themes, then plugins to minimise conflicts. WordPress core sets the foundation. Updating plugins before core can create compatibility issues because the plugins are now running against an older environment than they were designed for.

⚠️ Never click “Update All” across core, plugins, and themes simultaneously. If something breaks, you will have no idea which update caused it. Updating sequentially means you can always pinpoint the source of a problem and roll back precisely.

Step 1  Create a Full Backup Before Anything Else

This is non-negotiable. Every update should begin with a fresh backup  not the one from last Tuesday that your host created automatically, but a manual backup created right now, immediately before you touch the update button.

A complete WordPress backup has two parts:

Component	What It Contains	Why It Matters
Files Backup	All WordPress files, including wp-content, themes, plugins, and uploads.	Restores your website’s code, themes, plugins, and media files if they become corrupted or are accidentally deleted.
Database Backup	All posts, pages, settings, user accounts, comments, and other website data.	Restores your website’s content, configuration, and user data if the database is damaged or lost.

How to create a backup with UpdraftPlus (recommended for beginners):

1. Install the UpdraftPlus plugin  Dashboard → Plugins → Add New → search “UpdraftPlus” → Install and Activate
2. Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups
3. Click the blue “Backup Now” button
4. In the popup, ensure both “Include your database in the backup” and “Include your files in the backup” are ticked
5. Click “Backup Now” again
6. Wait for the backup to complete  you will see green checkmarks for both files and database
7. Download the backup files to your local computer as an extra precaution

💡 Where to store your backup: UpdraftPlus can send backups automatically to Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, or email. Even the free version supports remote storage. Never keep your only backup on the same server as your WordPress site  if the server fails, you lose both the site and the backup.

Step 2  Set Up a Staging Environment

For high-traffic, revenue-generating, or business-critical sites, updates should be tested on a staging environment before being applied to the live site. A staging site is an exact copy of your live site running privately  visitors cannot see it, and breaking it has no consequences.

Does every update need staging?

Not necessarily. The answer depends on your site’s risk profile:

Site Type	Is a Staging Site Recommended?
Personal Blog or Portfolio	No. A recent backup and post-update testing are usually sufficient.
Affiliate Marketing Website	Recommended for major WordPress, plugin, or theme updates.
WooCommerce Store	Yes. Always test updates on a staging site before applying them to your live store.
Membership or Client Website	Yes. Using a staging environment is essential to avoid disrupting users or customers.
High-Traffic Content Website	Yes. Especially before updating WordPress core or your active theme, as these changes can have the greatest impact.

How to create a staging site:

– Hostinger: hPanel → Website → Staging → Create Staging Site (one click)
– SiteGround: Site Tools → WordPress → Staging → Create
– Kinsta / WP Engine: Built into the hosting dashboard  one-click staging
– Any host: Install the WP Staging plugin (free) → click “Create new staging site” → done

Once your staging site is created, apply all updates there first, test thoroughly, then apply the same updates to your live site with confidence.

Step 3  Check Your PHP Version and Compatibility

Before updating plugins or themes, verify your PHP version is compatible with what you are about to install.

Check your current PHP version:
WordPress Dashboard → Tools → Site Health → Info tab → Server → look for “PHP version”

What version should you be on?

WordPress 6.4+ recommends PHP 8.0 or higher. Before updating plugins and themes, verify they support your current PHP version. If a plugin or theme requires a higher PHP version than you are running, contact your hosting provider to upgrade PHP before updating the plugin.

In 2026, you should be running PHP 8.2 or 8.3 for optimal performance and security. PHP 7.x is end-of-life and receives no security patches.

How to check plugin compatibility before updating:

Before clicking update on any plugin:
1. Visit the plugin’s page on WordPress.org
2. Look at the sidebar  “Tested up to” and “Requires PHP” are both listed
3. If “Requires PHP” is higher than your current version, upgrade PHP first
4. Check the plugin’s “Support” tab for any reported issues with the new version

Step 4  Update WordPress Core

Once your backup is done and your PHP version is confirmed, update WordPress core first.

How to update WordPress core:

1. Go to Dashboard → Updates in your WordPress admin
2. If a new version is available, you will see a yellow notice: “An updated version of WordPress is available.”
3. Read the version notes  click the version number to see the changelog on WordPress.org
4. Click “Update Now”
5. WordPress will automatically put itself into maintenance mode, download the update, and install it
6. When complete, you will see a “Welcome to WordPress [version]” screen

What if the update fails halfway?

This can happen if your server times out. If you see a “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance” message that does not go away:
1. Connect to your server via FTP/SFTP or your host’s File Manager
2. Navigate to the root WordPress folder
3. Delete the file called `.maintenance`
4. Your site will come back online  then retry the update

After updating core:

Visit your site’s frontend immediately. Check that:
– The homepage loads without errors
– You can log into the WordPress dashboard
– A few posts and pages render correctly

If everything looks good, proceed to updating plugins.

Step 5  Update Plugins One at a Time

This is where most WordPress disasters happen  and where the “update all” button causes the most damage.

A safer approach is to update plugins gradually rather than all at once. This makes it easier to identify which plugin caused a problem if something stops working.

The safe plugin update process:

1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
2. Look for plugins showing “There is a new version of [Plugin Name] available”
3. Before clicking update on each one  click “View version [X.X] details” to read the changelog
4. Look for: breaking changes, database migrations, compatibility notes, or any mention of conflicts
5. Click “Update Now” for the first plugin only
6. After it updates, immediately visit your site frontend and check it looks normal
7. Check any functionality that plugin controls (forms, sliders, WooCommerce, SEO settings)
8. If everything is fine, move to the next plugin and repeat

> Which plugins to update first?
> Security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) → SEO plugins (Rank Math, Yoast) → performance plugins (WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache) → functionality plugins → cosmetic/minor plugins last.

> Which plugins are safe to auto-update?
> Plugins that run solely in the Dashboard and have no front-end interface are usually safe to update automatically. These include analytics plugins, admin-only tools, and basic utilities. Plugins with a front-facing interface  page builders, WooCommerce, contact forms, sliders  should always be manually tested.

Step 6  Update Your Theme Safely

Themes require extra care because they control how your site looks  and because direct customisations made to theme files are erased when the parent theme is updated.

The critical question before updating your theme:

Have you ever made changes directly to your theme’s files (editing PHP, CSS, or other files in the theme folder)? If yes, those changes will be overwritten when you update. The solution is a child theme.

What is a child theme?

The safest way to update a custom WordPress theme is by creating a child theme and adding your customisations there. Updating the parent theme does not overwrite child theme files  your customisations are completely safe.

If you are using Hello Elementor (which your site appears to be based on), and all your design is done in Elementor rather than in theme files, you are likely safe to update  Elementor stores its data in the WordPress database, not in theme files. But confirm this before proceeding.

How to update your theme safely:

1. Confirm your backup from Step 1 is complete
2. Go to Appearance → Themes
3. If your active theme has an update available, you will see “Update Available” with the version number
4. Click “Update Now”
5. For premium themes not on WordPress.org (e.g., Divi, Avada), download the latest version from the developer’s website → go to Appearance → Themes → Add New → Upload Theme → upload the zip file → click “Replace current with uploaded”

After updating your theme:

Test different content types  home page, individual posts and pages, archive pages, any custom post types or taxonomies. Check that there are no issues with widgets or menus. Test any processes such as form submission. Exactly what you need to test will depend on your site, but it is important to be thorough.

Step 7  Test Your Site After Every Update

After each round of updates, run through this quick testing checklist before considering the update cycle complete:

Frontend checks:
– Homepage loads without errors or visual breaks
– Navigation menu works correctly on desktop and mobile
– A recent blog post loads and displays correctly
– A category/archive page loads correctly
– Images load  no broken image placeholders
– Contact form submits successfully
– Site search returns results

WordPress-specific checks:
– Dashboard loads without PHP errors or warnings
– Media library is accessible
– Can create/edit/publish a new post
– Rank Math or Yoast SEO settings are intact

WooCommerce checks (if applicable):
– Product pages load correctly
– Add to cart works
– Cart page loads
– Checkout process completes successfully

Speed check:
Run a quick test on GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights after updates. Occasionally an update introduces performance regressions  catching them early prevents long-term SEO damage.

Automatic Updates  What to Enable and What to Leave Manual

WordPress allows you to set automatic updates for core, plugins, and themes separately. Here is how to configure them intelligently:

Update Type	Recommendation	Reason
WordPress Core (Minor Updates)	✅ Enable Automatic Updates	Minor releases (for example, 6.7.1 → 6.7.2) primarily contain security patches and bug fixes, making them generally safe to install automatically.
WordPress Core (Major Updates)	❌ Keep Manual	Major releases (for example, 6.7 → 6.8) may introduce new features or compatibility changes. Test them before updating your live site.
Security Plugins	✅ Enable Automatic Updates	Security plugins such as Wordfence and Sucuri should receive updates immediately to protect your website from newly discovered vulnerabilities.
All Other Plugins	❌ Keep Manual	Manual updates allow you to test your website after each update and quickly identify any plugin that causes compatibility issues.
Themes	❌ Keep Manual	Theme updates can affect your website’s appearance and functionality, so they should always be tested before being applied to your live site.

How to enable/disable auto-updates per plugin:

1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
2. In the “Automatic Updates” column, click “Enable auto-updates” or “Disable auto-updates” per plugin
3. For WordPress core: go to Dashboard → Updates → look for the auto-update settings below the core update notice

How to enable minor core auto-updates in wp-config.php:

Add this line to your `wp-config.php` file (via hPanel File Manager → public_html → wp-config.php):

“`php
# Enable automatic minor core updates only:
define( ‘WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE’, ‘minor’ );
“`

What to Do When an Update Breaks Your Site

Despite following every best practice, sometimes an update causes problems. Here is the recovery process, in order:

Symptom: White Screen of Death (WSOD)

The site shows a blank white page. This is almost always a PHP error caused by a plugin or theme conflict.

1. Go to your hosting File Manager or FTP
2. Navigate to `wp-content/plugins/`
3. Rename the folder of the plugin you just updated from `plugin-name` to `plugin-name-disabled`
4. Check if your site comes back  if yes, that plugin is the culprit
5. Contact the plugin’s support team and report the conflict
6. While waiting for a fix, either deactivate the plugin or roll back to the previous version

Symptom: Layout or design broken

A plugin or theme update has affected how your site looks.

1. Check if it is a CSS conflict by temporarily switching to a default WordPress theme (Twenty Twenty-Four)
2. If the layout fixes with a different theme, the conflict is between your theme and the updated plugin
3. Restore your backup to return to the previous state while you investigate

Symptom: Specific functionality stopped working

A form, slider, WooCommerce cart, or other feature broke after an update.

1. Identify which plugin controls that feature
2. Deactivate it temporarily and check if the rest of the site is stable
3. Roll back the plugin to the previous version:
   – Install the WP Rollback plugin
   – Go to Plugins → find the broken plugin → click “Rollback”
   – Select the previous version and install it

The nuclear option  full restore from backup:

If multiple things are broken and you cannot isolate the cause:
1. Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups
2. Find the backup you created before the updates began
3. Click “Restore”
4. Select “Plugins”, “Themes”, “Uploads”, and “Database”
5. Click Restore  your site returns to exactly the state it was in before you touched anything

Handling Outdated and Abandoned Plugins

Not all update problems come from updating  some come from plugins that are no longer being updated by their developers.

On WordPress.org, check the last update date of your plugins. If a plugin has not been updated in six months, look into its viability. If it appears that support is no longer available, it may be time to look for a newer, better-maintained plugin. If the plugin has not been updated in two years or more, it is time to find a replacement. Using out-of-date plugins that are no longer maintained exposes your website to the risk of breaking or being hacked.

How to check plugin maintenance status:

1. Go to the plugin’s page on WordPress.org
2. Look at the right sidebar for:
   – “Last updated”  should be within the last 12 months
   – “Tested up to”  should match or be close to the current WordPress version
   – Active installs  declining install counts can signal a dying plugin
3. Check the “Support” tab  many unresolved support requests with no developer response is a red flag

What to do with an abandoned plugin:

1. Search for an actively maintained alternative on WordPress.org
2. Test the alternative on your staging site before deploying to production
3. Deactivate and delete the old plugin only after the replacement is confirmed working

WordPress Update Checklist

Save this and run through it every time you perform updates:

Before updating:
– Create a full backup (files + database) using UpdraftPlus
– Download a copy of the backup to your local computer
– Note current WordPress version, plugin versions, and theme version
– Check PHP version compatibility for any major plugin updates
– If high-risk site: sync staging site and test updates there first

Updating WordPress core:
– Dashboard → Updates → read changelog → click Update Now
– Verify site loads correctly after core update

Updating plugins:
– Update plugins one at a time (not all at once)
– Read changelog for each plugin before updating
– Test relevant site functionality after each plugin update
– Note any plugins that show errors  deactivate and roll back if needed

Updating themes:
– Confirm child theme is in use (if you have custom code)
– Update theme from Appearance → Themes or by uploading new version
– Check homepage, post pages, and archive pages after theme update

After all updates:
– Run full site test (all pages, forms, WooCommerce if applicable)
– Check PageSpeed Insights for any performance regressions
– Confirm WordPress dashboard is error-free
– Mark update cycle as complete in your maintenance log

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I update WordPress, plugins, and themes?

Check for updates at minimum once a week. For security patches  both in WordPress core and in security-critical plugins  update as soon as they are released. Security vulnerabilities necessitate timely updates. Those updates must be made as soon as possible rather than on a set schedule. A weekly check is the minimum; daily is better for high-traffic or revenue-generating sites.

Is it safe to enable automatic updates for WordPress?

Safe for minor releases (security patches)  yes. Plugins that run solely in the Dashboard and have no front-end interface are usually safe to update automatically. Major core releases and front-end plugins should remain manual so you can test before deploying.

What happens if I do not update WordPress?

Your site becomes progressively more vulnerable. In January 2026 alone, over 536 vulnerabilities were disclosed across 436 plugins and 59 themes. As soon as a security patch is released, attackers begin exploiting unpatched sites. Outdated WordPress installations are the primary vector for malware infections, data theft, and SEO spam injections.

Can updating WordPress break my site?

It can  which is why backups and staged updates exist. In practice, the vast majority of updates complete without issues. The risk is highest when plugins are significantly out of date, when there are many plugins running simultaneously, or when a major WordPress core release introduces breaking changes. Following the sequential update process in this guide minimises that risk substantially.

How do I update a theme without losing my customizations?

The safest way to update a custom WordPress theme is by creating a child theme and adding your customisations there. Updating the parent theme does not overwrite child theme files  your customisations are completely safe. If you are using Elementor on a Hello Elementor base (as SiteLaunchLab appears to), your design is stored in the database rather than theme files  but always back up before updating to be safe.

What is the best backup plugin for WordPress?

UpdraftPlus is the most widely recommended free option  it backs up files and database separately, supports remote storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), and has a simple one-click restore. Jetpack Backup and BlogVault are excellent paid alternatives with real-time backup capabilities. For beginners on Hostinger, hPanel’s built-in backup tool is also a reliable option.

How do I roll back a WordPress plugin to a previous version?

Install the WP Rollback plugin. Once installed, go to Plugins → find the plugin you want to roll back → click “Rollback” → select the version you want to revert to → install. Alternatively, restore your full site backup created before the update.

Should I update plugins if my site is working fine?

Yes  always. A working site today on an outdated plugin is a compromised site waiting to happen. The fact that a vulnerability has not yet been exploited does not mean it will not be. You need to update themes, plugins, and WordPress core as soon as updates are released, to avoid becoming a target.

Related Articles

• How to Back Up WordPress: 3 Methods from Free to Bulletproof
• Elementor vs Divi vs Beaver Builder 2026: Which Page Builder Wins?

Final Thoughts

Updating WordPress is not exciting. It does not add features to your site or bring in more traffic. It is maintenance  the unglamorous but essential work that keeps everything else running.

The process in this guide adds about ten to fifteen minutes to each update cycle compared to clicking “Update All” and hoping for the best. Those extra minutes are: one backup, one sequential update, one test. That is what stands between your site running smoothly and your site going offline at the worst possible moment.

Updating WordPress, plugins, and themes is a critical part of maintaining a secure and reliable website. Creating backups, updating components step by step, and checking the website afterward helps ensure updates improve the website without causing unexpected problems.

Build the habit now while your site is new and the stakes are lower. By the time your site is generating real traffic and real revenue, safe updating will be second nature  and you will never be the person frantically Googling “white screen of death WordPress” at midnight.