How to Update WordPress Plugins Safely

Keeping your WordPress plugins updated is essential for your site’s security, performance, and compatibility. But updating without preparation can lead to issues like broken features or conflicts. Here’s how to do it safely:

Backup your site: Use a plugin, hosting tools, or manual methods to ensure you can restore your site if needed.
Check compatibility: Review plugin changelogs, ensure it works with your WordPress version, theme, and other plugins.
Test in staging: Use a staging site to test updates before applying them live.
Choose an update method: Update via the WordPress dashboard, FTP, or WP-CLI based on your skill level.
Post-update checks: Test site functions, resolve conflicts, and restore from backup if necessary.

Follow these steps to keep your site running smoothly while minimizing risks.

How to Safely Update Your WordPress Plugins Every Time

1. Before Updating: Required Preparation

Proper preparation is key to avoiding problems during updates.

Create a Full Backup

Backing up your site ensures you can restore it if anything goes wrong. Here are your options:

Using a Backup Plugin: Choose a plugin that automates backups for both files and the database.
Hosting Provider Tools: Many hosting providers offer built-in backup tools – check if yours does.
Manual Backup Method: Export your database via phpMyAdmin and download the wp-content folder using FTP. While manual, this gives you complete control over the process.

Check Version Compatibility

Make sure the plugin update works with your current setup to avoid conflicts. Here’s how:

Review the plugin’s changelog and documentation for changes or warnings.
Ensure it’s compatible with your WordPress version.
Verify it works with your active theme.
Look for any potential conflicts with other plugins.

You can also check the plugin’s WordPress repository page for recent reviews and reported issues.

Set Up a Test Environment

Testing updates in a safe environment helps you avoid issues on your live site. Many hosting providers offer staging tools, but if yours doesn’t, you can use a staging plugin. Follow these steps:

Create a replica of your live site using your host’s staging tools or a staging plugin.
Password-protect the staging site to keep it private.
Apply the plugin updates on the staging site first.
Test all critical site functions to ensure everything works as expected.

Tip: Your staging site should match your live site exactly – same plugins, themes, and content – for accurate testing.

Testing Phase	Actions	Outcome
Pre-Update	Create backup, check compatibility	Backup complete, no conflicts found
Staging	Update plugins, test functionality	All features working correctly
Production	Apply verified updates, monitor performance	Site runs smoothly without errors

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re ready to proceed with updating your plugins.

2. Update Methods for Plugins

Once you’ve prepared your backup and test environment, it’s time to choose an update method that suits your skills and needs.

WordPress Dashboard Updates

The WordPress dashboard is one of the easiest ways to update plugins. Here’s how you can do it:

For a single plugin update:
1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
2. Find the plugin with the "Update Available" notice.
3. Click Update Now.
4. Wait for the update to complete.
For bulk updates:
1. Use the checkboxes to select multiple plugins.
2. From the Bulk Actions dropdown, select Update.
3. Click Apply to start updating.

Tip: Before updating, click View version details to review the changelog and understand what changes the update includes.

FTP Update Process

If the dashboard method fails or you need more control, updating via FTP is a reliable option. You’ll need an FTP client like FileZilla or Cyberduck to get started.

Download the latest version of the plugin from WordPress.org or the developer’s site, then extract the files on your computer.
Connect to your server using your FTP client:
- Host: Your domain or server IP
- Username: Your FTP username
- Password: Your FTP password
- Port: Typically 21 (default FTP port)
Navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory. Delete the folder for the old plugin version and upload the new one.

WP-CLI Update Commands

WP-CLI

For developers or advanced users managing multiple WordPress sites, WP-CLI offers a quick way to handle plugin updates through the command line.

Command	Function	Example Usage
`wp plugin list`	Lists all installed plugins	`wp plugin list`
`wp plugin update`	Updates a specific plugin	`wp plugin update woocommerce`
`wp plugin update --all`	Updates all plugins	`wp plugin update --all`
`wp plugin status`	Checks plugin activation status	`wp plugin status`

Note: To use WP-CLI, ensure your server has SSH access and WP-CLI is installed. Many hosting providers, like WP Engine and Kinsta, include WP-CLI by default.

Once you’ve updated your plugins using any of these methods, move on to post-update checks in the next section.

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3. Post-Update Checks

After updating your plugins, it’s crucial to ensure everything on your site works as it should. Here’s how to do it.

Test Site Functions

Go through the key features of your site to confirm they’re working smoothly:

Menus and pages: Make sure all menus navigate correctly and pages load without issues.
Forms and interactions: Test contact forms, comment sections, and any search functions.
E-commerce features: Check product pages, add items to the cart, and complete a test purchase.
Media elements: Confirm that images, videos, and sliders display properly.
Mobile responsiveness: View your site on different devices and screen sizes to ensure it looks and functions as expected.

It’s a good idea to create a checklist tailored to your site for future testing. If you find any problems, it might be due to plugin conflicts – this is your next step.

Resolve Plugin Conflicts

If something isn’t working, a plugin conflict could be the culprit. Here’s how to tackle it:

Identify the Problem Plugin
Use your browser’s error console to spot any recent error messages.
Troubleshooting Steps
- Deactivate all plugins, then reactivate them one by one, testing your site after each.
- Reach out to the plugin developer with detailed information about the error.
- Look for updated versions of the plugin that might fix the issue.
- If the problem persists, consider switching to a plugin with similar features.
- Keep a record of the conflict for future reference.

If you can’t resolve the issue, it may be time to roll back to your last backup.

Restore From Backup

Follow these steps to restore your site from a backup:

Access your backup tool, whether through your hosting provider or a backup plugin.
Choose the most recent backup from before the update.
Restore the database first, followed by the file system if needed.
Test your site to confirm everything is working again.
Keep your backup handy throughout the updating process for quick recovery if needed.

4. Plugin Management Tips

Set an Update Routine

Plan plugin updates for times when your site has the least traffic. Set reminders to check for updates weekly, test functionality monthly, and assess plugin relevance every quarter.

For minor updates, WordPress’s auto-update feature can save time. However, handle major updates manually to avoid compatibility issues. Sticking to a routine helps keep your site secure and running smoothly.

Remove Unused Plugins

During maintenance, look for plugins that are inactive, redundant, or outdated. Deactivate them, export any necessary data, delete the plugin through the dashboard, and clear your cache.

Keep a log of what you’ve removed, including dates and any replacement tools, to make future maintenance easier. A streamlined plugin list boosts your site’s speed and reliability.

Tap into WP Winners

WP Winners is a great resource for insights on optimizing plugins, enhancing security, and improving performance. Their detailed reviews and unbiased advice can help you manage your plugins more effectively.

Conclusion

Keeping your WordPress plugins up to date is key to maintaining both security and performance. Always start by creating a full backup of your site – this ensures you can quickly restore it if something goes wrong.

A careful approach can help you avoid potential issues. Check plugin versions and compatibility, and test updates on a staging site to identify any conflicts before they impact your live site.

Here’s a quick checklist to guide you:

Back up your site and verify the backup works.
Confirm compatibility between plugin versions and your WordPress setup.
Test updates in a staging environment to catch problems early.
Review your site’s functionality after applying updates.
Schedule regular updates to stay ahead of vulnerabilities.

For more guidance, WP Winners offers tutorials, detailed reviews, and practical tips to streamline your plugin management.

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