How to update the WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins

The Importance of Updating WordPress Components

Keeping WordPress up-to-date is essential for a secure and stable website. As an open-source platform, WordPress is constantly evolving. Developers release updates for the core software, themes, and plugins to add new features, fix bugs, and patch security issues. Outdated components are easy targets for cybercriminals who exploit known vulnerabilities to gain access, insert malicious code, or take control of sites. By regularly updating your WordPress components, you minimise these risks, using the latest, most secure versions available.

Why Regular Updates Matter for Security

Outdated WordPress components are a major cause of site breaches. Hackers frequently scan for websites running older versions with known security issues. Common attacks resulting from outdated software include:

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Insecure plugins or themes can allow attackers to inject harmful scripts that compromise user accounts or data.
• SQL Injection (SQLi): Vulnerable plugins or themes leave databases open to exploitation, allowing hackers to steal or alter data.
• Remote Code Execution (RCE): Hackers can exploit old software to run malicious code remotely, leading to a potential site takeover.

Updating WordPress components frequently addresses these risks and reduces exposure to known attack methods.

Key Components to Update Regularly

1. WordPress Core: WordPress regularly releases updates, often including security patches for identified vulnerabilities. Keeping the core up-to-date secures the main structure of your site.
2. Plugins: Plugins add functionality to WordPress but also increase security risks. Popular plugins are common hacker targets, so updating them is crucial.
3. Themes: Beyond design, themes can introduce security issues. Update your themes regularly to patch any flaws.
4. PHP and Server Software: Outdated server software, such as PHP, poses security and performance risks. Check that your hosting provider updates server software regularly, and ensure compatibility with the latest PHP version.

How to Manage Updates Efficiently

1. Enable Automatic Updates (If Suitable) WordPress can apply automatic updates for minor security and maintenance releases. It’s also possible to enable these updates for major releases, plugins, and themes. Automatic updates provide a hands-off approach but can sometimes lead to compatibility issues. To enable automatic core updates, add this line to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true );

1. For greater control, use a plugin like Easy Updates Manager, which lets you choose specific plugins and themes for automatic updates.
2. Use a Staging Environment for Testing Test updates in a staging environment before applying them to the live site to avoid compatibility issues. Many hosting providers offer staging environments, allowing you to safely experiment with updates in a replica of your site.
3. Schedule Regular Manual Updates Set a regular schedule (e.g., weekly or monthly) to review and apply updates manually. This approach gives you the chance to check for potential problems before making changes. Back up your site’s database and files before updating, so you can restore them if needed.

Steps to Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins

1. Back Up Your Site: Back up both your database and files to prevent data loss in case of update issues.
2. Update WordPress Core: Go to Dashboard > Updates in WordPress. If a new version is available, select Update Now. For major updates, check the release notes to understand any significant changes.
3. Update Plugins: Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins to see available updates. Update each plugin or use bulk updates if many are due. Review each plugin’s changelog for changes that may affect your site.
4. Update Themes: Go to Appearance > Themes for update notifications. Regularly update all themes, especially the active one, as it directly impacts the site’s structure and styling.
5. Check for Compatibility: After updating, review key site functions and pages to ensure everything works as expected.

Recommended Plugins for Managing Updates

1. Easy Updates Manager: Controls all updates, enabling or disabling automatic updates for WordPress core, plugins, themes, and translation files.
2. WP Rollback: If an update causes issues, WP Rollback helps revert to a previous version of a plugin or theme.
3. Jetpack: This plugin offers an automatic update feature for plugins and notifies you of available updates.

Best Practices for WordPress Updates

1. Stay Informed on Updates: Subscribe to news from plugin and theme developers, as well as official WordPress release notes. Follow security blogs or forums to stay aware of any new security issues.
2. Remove Unused Plugins and Themes: Inactive plugins or themes can still pose security risks. Delete any that aren’t in use to reduce vulnerability.
3. Update PHP Regularly: WordPress recommends using the latest version of PHP. Confirm with your hosting provider that your server runs the most recent compatible version.
4. Apply Security Patches Promptly: Apply security patches as soon as they’re available to avoid exposure to known exploits.

Troubleshooting Common Update Issues

1. Incomplete Updates: If an update fails, it may be due to memory limits or file permissions. Increase PHP memory, adjust permissions, or consult with your host.
2. Compatibility Conflicts: Updates can cause conflicts between plugins, themes, or WordPress itself. The Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin can help identify the cause of compatibility issues.
3. Site Errors After an Update: If an update breaks your site, revert to a backup or use WP Rollback to undo it. This reinforces the importance of backing up before updating.
4. White Screen of Death: This issue often stems from an incompatible plugin or theme. Disable all plugins via FTP or cPanel, then reactivate them one by one to find the conflict.

Advanced Tips for Managing WordPress Updates

1. Enable a Maintenance Page: When performing major updates, use a maintenance page to inform visitors that the site is temporarily unavailable.
2. Schedule Updates During Low Traffic: Choose times of lower traffic to minimise disruptions and reduce server strain.
3. Automate Backups and Monitoring: Use backup plugins like UpdraftPlus to automate backups before updates. Security services like Sucuri or Wordfence monitor your site and can alert you to issues following an update.