How To Update WordPress

This is the easiest method to updating your WordPress website. It’s highly recommended if you don’t have developer skills.

You will see when you log into your WordPress website that there is an ‘Updates Page’ available, either on the top bar next to the site name or under the ‘Home’ tab on the right-hand side menu. Click on either one to go to the ‘Updates Page’.

On the page you will see if there is a new version of WordPress. All you need to do is to click on the ‘Update Now’ button. This will initiate the update for you.

You will be presented with an update progress screen. During this time, users will be able to see your website but you cannot install plugins, themes or custom CSS.

When the update has been completed, you will be redirected back to the WordPress welcome screen. In some cases, when there have been major changes, you will be given an explanation of what has changed and what new features you can use.

The in-built feature doesn’t always work. Sometimes you might have to use some developer skills to update WordPress. This will require some FTP skills and a little more time.

The first thing you need to do is download the latest version of WordPress. This can be done from the WordPress.org website.

WordPress will be downloaded into a zip file. You will need to extract the zip file and inside there will be a WordPress folder. This contains all the files and documents you will need for the update.

Open up your FTP client and connect to your WordPress website. Once connected, you need to go to the WordPress folder that has recently been extracted in the local files column within the FTP client.

In the website files, go to the root folder. This folder is either going to be named public_html or named after your website’s domain name. Inside the folder will be your current WordPress files and folders.

Select all the files inside the WordPress folder that’s on your computer, right click and then select ‘Upload’. The FTP client will automatically start uploading WordPress files from your computer and placing them on your website. If there are current versions, you will be asked what your preferred action is. You should select ‘Overwrite’ and ensure that you check the box that reads ‘Always use this action’ otherwise you will need to repeat the action countless times.

Next you will need to go to your WordPress dashboard on your site. You might see the option of ‘Update WordPress Database’. Click this option.