Learn How to Update WordPress Core Safely

WordPress updates are vital for many reasons. They improve security, enhance performance, and resolved compatibility issues.

However, the fear of breaking your website can make pressing that “update” button feel exactly like diffusing a bomb. This guide aims to disarm that fear. I

If you’re also looking to update your WordPress theme and plugins, be sure to check out my how-to guide on updating WordPress themes and my tutorial on plugins update.

This article will focus on how to update WordPress core.

Let’s get started!

Why Updating WordPress Core Is Always a Great Idea

Research shows that outdated WordPress cores account for a significant percentage of security vulnerabilities, and that’s the main reason why it should be updated.

Security experts report that most WordPress hacks occur due to outdated WordPress cores, plugins, and themes. In a study by WP WhiteSecurity, over 70% of WordPress installations are vulnerable to hacker attacks, and outdated core files are a leading cause (source).

Every day, WordPress developers are working to enhance the platform’s features, security, and speed. These updates can also include security patches..

So, wondering how to patch WordPress safely? Keep reading!

Checklist: How to Update WordPress Core Safely

It’s imperative to be prepared for any potential missteps before making any changes to your WordPress site. Backup your files and deactivate any plugins that may interfere with WordPress – in particular, your caching plugin.

Step 1: Backup Your Site

Technology is not perfect, and it is impossible to guarantee that everything will run smoothly. You should always make sure that your WordPress website is backed up.

In the unfortunate event that something goes wrong, merely rolling back to the backup will restore everything to normal while you scrounge around to figure out what went wrong.

Hopefully, It’s super easy to back up WordPress sites with WP Umbrella. This plugin has a free and a premium version. It’s super easy to install and set up.

Step 2: Clear Your Cache and Deactivate Your Caching Plugin

Cache plugins help you to speed up your website, but when it comes to WordPress core updates, they can break your website because some parts of your website are stored in the cache, while others aren’t causing issues and incompatibilities.

It is important that you cache the post-update pages only, not those from before or during the update.

So clear your cache and deactivate your caching plugin before processing the next step.

Step 3: Update All Your Plugins and Themes

It is equally important to keep your plugins updated as it is to keep WordPress core up-to-date.

Besides, hardening your website security, updating your plugin will decrease the risk of conflict with the core WordPress itself.

Serious theme and plugin editors indeed patch their software before any significant WordPress core update.

So make sure you update your plugins before updating your WordPress core.

Step 4: Proceed with Updating WordPress Core

Finally, you’re all set to update the WordPress core. Some services like WP Umbrella offer safe update technology, making the process seamless and flawless. These tools create a sandbox for the update, monitor the process, and even roll back changes automatically if something goes wrong.