Updating WordPress without breaking your site requires more than just clicking every «Update» button. While updates are essential for security and stability, an extension, a theme, or a custom modification can sometimes cause a conflict.
Personally, I prefer to proceed methodically. A few checks before and after updates can greatly reduce unpleasant surprises.
Why prepare a WordPress update
WordPress evolves regularly. The core, themes, and plugins receive security fixes, bug fixes, and new features. It’s therefore important not to let updates pile up for months.
However, an update can also change how an element used by your site behaves. A plugin can become incompatible with another, while a custom theme may behave differently after a new release.
That’s why I consider preparation an important part of WordPress maintenance.
Step-by-step: updating WordPress without breaking your site
Before I begin, I always check that a recent, usable backup is available. It should ideally include the files as well as the database. . automatic WordPress backup.
Then I generally proceed in this order:
- Verify that the recent backup is complete.
- Review available updates.
- Update plugins gradually.
- Update the active theme.
- Apply the WordPress update.
- Clear caches when necessary.
- Test the site’s important functions.
For a complex site or a online store, I also recommend making changes in a staging environment before touching the live site.
What to check after updates
A home page that displays correctly doesn’t necessarily mean everything is working. I therefore check several important elements after the work.
Specifically, I test forms, navigation, main pages, and admin login. On an e-commerce site, I also pay special attention to the cart, checkout process, and payment-related functions.
I also look for any visual errors. A displaced menu, unusual layout, or a function that no longer responds can reveal a conflict.
What to do if an update causes a problem
If a problem occurs, I don’t recommend making several random changes one after the other. It’s better to identify what was recently updated and isolate the cause.
Depending on the situation, I can temporarily disable a plugin, restore a working backup, or fix the conflict directly. This progressive approach makes diagnosis much easier.
Conclusion
Updating WordPress without breaking your site becomes much easier with a good backup, a step-by-step approach, and a few tests after each change. Updates shouldn’t be avoided, but they’re best done methodically.
If you’d prefer to entrust your updates, maintenance, or a WordPress technical issue to me, you can also consult my online store.