How to Update WordPress Safely Without Breaking Your Site

On this page

1. Why updates matter
2. Before updating
3. A sensible update order
4. After updating: test
5. If something breaks
6. Automatic updates: yes or no?
7. Make it routine

Updates keep WordPress secure and working, but a careless update can break layouts, forms or checkout. Many site owners avoid updates for that reason, which is far riskier. Here's a safe, repeatable process.

Why updates matter

Outdated plugins and themes are the most common way WordPress sites get hacked. Updates also fix bugs and keep your site compatible with new PHP versions and browsers.

Before updating

1. Take a full backup of files and database. See the backup and restore guide.
2. Read the changelog for major updates, especially for page builders, WooCommerce and your theme.
3. Use a staging site for major updates on important sites. See staging sites explained.
4. Pick a quiet time, not during a sale or campaign.

A sensible update order

1. Plugins (one at a time for important ones)
2. Theme
3. WordPress core

Updating one thing at a time makes it easy to see what caused any problem.

After updating: test

• Homepage and a few key pages on desktop and mobile
• Contact forms, and check the email actually arrives
• For stores: add to cart, checkout and a test payment
• Logins, menus and any special features (bookings, calculators)

Specific fixes: the critical error and Elementor layouts broken after an update.

If something breaks

1. Don't panic or keep changing things
2. Identify the update that caused it and roll that plugin back, or restore the backup
3. Check for a fix from the plugin developer, or wait for a patch before updating again
4. If you see a "critical error" message, WordPress recovery mode or hosting access can disable the faulty plugin

Seeing an error message? See common WordPress errors explained.

Don't forget the server side: update your PHP version safely.

Automatic updates: yes or no?

• Minor core security releases: usually safe to auto-update
• Small, well-maintained plugins: often fine to auto-update
• Page builders, WooCommerce, theme and major versions: better updated manually after a backup and test

Make it routine

Check for updates weekly or fortnightly. If you'd rather not deal with it, a maintenance plan covers updates, testing and rollbacks for you.