How to Manually Update WordPress Plugins Step by Step

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Ognjen Velickovic

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Beginners | WordPress

Last updated Oct 9, 2024

Introduction

Updating WordPress plugins is key to keeping your website secure and running well. Plugins and themes can have weak spots, so updates protect your site from risks. Automatic updates are easy, but some users like to update WordPress plugins manually for more control. Manual updates allow you to spot issues, test new versions safely, and reduce the risk of conflicts with other plugins or themes.
This guide shows you how to manually update WordPress plugins, why updates matter, and how to fix common issues.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Why Regular Plugin Updates Are Important

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How to Manually Update WordPress Plugins

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How to Enable Auto Updates in WordPress

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Using the Bulk Actions for Plugin Management

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Troubleshooting Common Plugin Update Issues

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Using a Plugin Manager for Easier Updates

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Why You Should Update WordPress Plugins

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How to Roll Back Plugin Updates

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Conclusion

Why Regular Plugin Updates Are Important

Updating your installed plugins regularly ensures your WordPress site operates smoothly with the latest version of WordPress. Neglecting updates can lead to various issues, including security vulnerabilities, plugin conflicts, or even a broken website. Keeping your plugins updated helps prevent attacks and ensures they work with your WordPress themes and updates.

  • Security Enhancements: Every version of the plugin usually comes with important security patches that protect your website from known vulnerabilities. Staying up-to-date minimizes risks.
  • Improved Performance: Plugin developers frequently introduce optimizations in newer versions that enhance the performance of your site.
  • New Features: Plugin updates often add new features, which can improve your website without needing extra plugins.

There are two main ways to handle updates: through automatic updates or manual updates.

Automatic updates are easy to use. But they can cause problems if your plugins don’t work with the latest WordPress version or other plugins. When you manually update WordPress plugins, you have more control. You can fix issues before they affect your site.

How to Manually Update WordPress Plugins

Manually updating WordPress plugins is a simple process that gives you complete control over your site. Here’s how to do it step by step:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard

Start by logging in to your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to the “Plugins” section to view all your installed plugins.

2. Check for Updates

Look for any plugins that need updating. You will see a notification if updates are available.
Manually Update WordPress Plugins

3. Update Plugins Manually

Click on “Update Now” next to the plugin you want to update. WordPress will handle the download and installation process.

Manually Update WordPress Plugins: Update Now

4. Update Plugins via FTP (Optional)

For more control, you can also update plugins manually through an FTP client. Connect to your server using an FTP client and navigate to the wp-content/plugins folder. Here, you can manually upload the new plugin version, overwriting the old files.

5. Backup the Older Version

Before updating, back up the older version of the plugin. Rename the old plugin folder (e.g., from plugin-name to plugin-name-old) to keep it as a backup.
Open your downloaded FTP client (Filezilla)

Find in your email the FTP details that your host provided to you upon purchasing the server.  In the email, you should find the Hostname, FTP Username, FTP Password, and Port. Add these details to the fields at the top of the app browser (FileZilla in this case) and click on the “Quickconnect” button.

Update A WordPress Plugin or Theme Manually: FTP details
Unzip the plugin and upload it to the server

On the left side of the screen, find the folder on your computer containing your plugin. Right-click the folder and select “Upload” to upload it to the plugins folder on the server. 

* If you see a “Target files already exist” dialog box, choose “Overwrite” and click OK.

When the upload is complete, your plugin is manually updated. Use the same steps for updating themes: upload the theme to the themes folder in wp-content.

Update A WordPress Plugin or Theme Manually

6. Test the plugin or theme

To ensure the new version works with your current WordPress setup, follow these steps:
  • Rename the plugin folder on your computer (e.g., from wordpress-seo to wordpress-seo-new).
  • Upload the renamed plugin folder to the server.

This process helps avoid overwriting the existing plugin. With both the new (wordpress-seo-new) and old (wordpress-seo) folders on the server, you can rename the old folder to wordpress-seo-old and the new folder to wordpress-seo.

Rename the plugin folder (i.e. wordpress-seo-new)

Manually Update WordPress Plugins: Rename the plugin

Upload the plugin folder (i.e. wordpress-seo-new)

rename-plugin-folder

To test if the new plugin works on your site without overwriting the old version, we renamed the plugin folder before uploading it. For example, we changed the folder name from wordpress-seo to wordpress-seo-new. This way, when we upload the new version to the server, it won’t replace the existing plugin.

Why is this important?

By having both the old (wordpress-seo) and new (wordpress-seo-new) versions on the server, we can safely switch between them. After uploading, rename the current wordpress-seo folder to wordpress-seo-old and change the new wordpress-seo-new folder to wordpress-seo. Refresh your site to see if everything works properly. If something goes wrong, you can easily rename the folders back to their original names to restore the old version and keep your site running smoothly.

How to Enable Auto Updates in WordPress

If you prefer not to update WordPress plugins manually, you can set up auto updates in your WordPress dashboard. Here’s how:

1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard

Access your WordPress dashboard and go to the “Plugins” section. Next to each plugin, you’ll see the option to enable auto updates.

Enable auto-updates

2. Enable Automatic Updates for Plugins and Themes

To automatically update a plugin, simply click the “Enable auto-updates” button. This will update the plugin automatically when a new version is out. You can also enable auto updates for your themes by going to the ‘Appearance‘ tab.

Theme auto-updates

3. Pros and Cons of Automatic Updates

While automatic updates offer convenience, they come with some risks. The main problem is that new plugin versions might not work well with older versions or your theme, leading to issues. Manual updates let you check for compatibility, while automatic updates save time for busy site owners.

Using the Bulk Actions Dropdown for Plugin Management

WordPress makes it easy to manage multiple plugins with the bulk actions dropdown feature. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select Plugins for Bulk Update

From the WordPress dashboard, navigate to the “Plugins” section. Use the checkboxes next to the plugins you want to update. Then, click the bulk actions dropdown and select “Update.” This allows you to update all selected plugins in one go, saving time.

Manually Update WordPress Plugins: Bulk Action Update

2. Benefits of the Bulk Actions Dropdown

Using the bulk actions dropdown is a great way to quickly update WordPress plugins without needing to go through them one by one. This feature is useful if you have many plugins and need to keep them updated with the latest WordPress version.

Troubleshooting Common Plugin Update Issues

When you update WordPress plugins, it’s not uncommon to face a few technical issues. Here are some common problems and how to solve them.

File Permission Errors

File permission errors can occur during updates if your WordPress site’s file system doesn’t have the correct permissions. This error usually displays a message like “Could not copy file” when you try to update a plugin.

How to fix it:
  • Log in to your WordPress site using an FTP client or a file manager.
  • Navigate to your wp-content folder and locate the plugins folder.
  • Set folders to 755 and files to 644. If they’re different, adjust the permissions.
Protecting Your WordPress - Permissions
  • Retry the plugin update through the WordPress dashboard.

Conflicts with Plugins and Themes

Plugin or theme conflicts are a common issue after an update. This happens when a newly updated plugin is not compatible with your WordPress theme or other plugins.
How to troubleshoot:
  • Temporarily deactivate all plugins to check if the issue persists.
Deactivate plugins
  • Reactivate plugins one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
  • You may need to revert to an older version of the plugin or theme if the update causes major issues. Use an FTP client to upload the previous version of the plugin into the plugins folder.

The “White Screen of Death” (WSOD)

The dreaded White Screen of Death (WSOD) occurs when there’s a critical error on your site. This can happen after a plugin or theme update, especially if there are compatibility issues.

How to fix it:
  • Log in via FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager.
  • Rename the plugins folder to temporarily deactivate all plugins and regain access to the site.
Rename plugin folder<br />
  • Once back in your dashboard, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the problematic plugin.
  • You can also switch to an older version of the plugin if needed.

Incomplete or Interrupted Updates

Updates can sometimes stop halfway because of server or connection problems, which might leave your plugin or theme not working.
How to resolve it:
  • Restore the older version of the plugin by uploading it via FTP to the plugins folder.
  • You may need to re-attempt the update later, ensuring a stable internet connection.

Database Errors

Database errors may occur during plugin updates, especially if the plugin interacts heavily with your WordPress database. This can result in error messages or failed updates.

How to resolve it:
  • If the error persists, restore a backup of your site and retry the update.

Compatibility Checks

Before updating, always check that the plugin or theme is compatible with your current WordPress version. Developers typically provide compatibility information in the plugin or theme documentation. If you encounter issues after an update, visit the developer’s website or support forums for guidance or alternative solutions.

By recognizing these common issues and following effective troubleshooting steps, you can confidently manually update WordPress plugins, keeping your WordPress site secure and optimized. If issues persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider or consult with us for additional support.

Using a Plugin Manager for Easier Updates

Managing multiple plugins manually can be time-consuming. A manager plugin simplifies this process by automating tasks like updates and maintenance.

What Is a Manager Plugin?

A manager plugin allows you to oversee all your plugins from one central dashboard. You can use it to automatically update all plugins or schedule manual updates based on your preferences. Popular options include ManageWP and WP Auto Updater.

Benefits of Using a Manager Plugin

1. Simplified Updates: A manager plugin can streamline the update process by automatically handling updates for you. No need to log in and manually update each plugin individually.

2. Scheduled Updates: Set specific times to update WordPress plugins when traffic is low.

3. Centralized Control: Use one interface to manage multiple websites and keep all plugins up-to-date.

Why You Should Update WordPress Plugins

Keeping your WordPress plugins up to date is crucial for several reasons.

1. Security: Outdated plugins can expose your site to security vulnerabilities. Hackers often target older versions of plugins with known exploits. By staying up to date, you reduce the chances of a cyberattack.

2. Performance: Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements, ensuring your site runs smoothly. New features in plugin updates can also help improve functionality without the need for additional plugins.

3. Compatibility: Use the bulk actions dropdown or a manager plugin to update all plugins. This helps make sure everything works well with the latest WordPress updates. And this prevents conflicts between older versions of plugins and themes.

Update your plugins regularly, either manually or automatically, to keep your site secure and running smoothly.

How to Roll Back Plugin Updates if Something Goes Wrong

Sometimes, after updating a plugin, your site may not work as expected. In such cases, you may need to roll back to an older version to restore functionality. Here’s how to do it:

Access the Plugins Folder via FTP

If your site is experiencing issues after an update, the first step is to log in to your server using an FTP client. Navigate to your wp-content/plugins folder.

Delete or Rename the Updated Plugin

Locate the plugin that is causing issues. You can either delete or rename the plugin folder to temporarily disable it. This will deactivate the plugin without needing to log in to your WordPress dashboard.

Download and Upload the Older Version

Visit the plugin’s repository or the developer’s website to download an older version of the plugin. Once downloaded, upload this version into the plugins folder via FTP. This will effectively restore the previous version of the plugin.

Reactivate the Plugin

Once the older version is uploaded, log back into your WordPress dashboard and reactivate the plugin. Check your site to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Importance of Version Control

Maintaining version control is key to preventing disruptions when updating WordPress plugins or themes. Keep a backup of old plugin versions. If something goes wrong, you can easily go back to the old version. Many professional users keep both manual and automatic backups before major updates to ensure smooth site performance.

Conclusion

Keeping your WordPress plugins up to date is vital for the security, performance, and functionality of your website. Whether you manually update WordPress plugins or set them to auto-update, it’s important to keep them up-to-date. This helps protect your site from attacks and ensures it works well with the latest WordPress themes and updates.
Tools like the bulk actions dropdown or a manager plugin make it easier to update your plugins. If something goes wrong, you can quickly roll back to an older version using the plugins folder.

If you have trouble with updates or conflicts, getting professional help can keep your site running smoothly.

Ognjen Velickovic

Hi, I’m Ognjen! With a focus on web development and project management, I’m driven by a passion for helping people reach their goals. I thrive on building solutions, growing through new knowledge and partnerships, and expanding by sharing what we create with a broader audience.

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