How to Manually Upgrade Plugins and Themes in WordPress

Keeping your WordPress plugins and themes up to date is essential for maintaining security, performance, and compatibility. While WordPress offers automatic updates, there are times when you may need to manually upgrade plugins or themes, such as when automatic updates are disabled or when you’re working in a development environment. This guide will walk you through the manual upgrade process step by step.

Backup: Always ensure you have a full backup of your site, including the database and files, before performing any updates.

Download the Latest Version: Head to WordPress.org and download the latest version of the plugin or theme you wish to update.

How to Manually Update Plugins

1. Deactivate the Plugin

Before proceeding, it’s advisable to deactivate the plugin that you intend to upgrade. You can do this by:

Going to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
Locate the plugin, and click Deactivate.

2. Access Your Site’s File System

You can access your WordPress site’s file system via FTP/SFTP using a tool like FileZilla or via your hosting provider’s file manager.

3. Navigate to the Plugins Directory

In the file manager or FTP, navigate to: wp-content/plugins/ folder
Locate the folder of the plugin you want to update.

4. Delete the Old Plugin Files

Select the folder of the outdated plugin and delete it.
Note: Deleting the plugin folder will not erase your plugin settings or data, as these are typically stored in the database.

5. Upload the Latest Plugin Files

Extract the downloaded plugin zip file on your local machine.
Upload the new plugin folder (from the extracted zip file) to the same wp-content/plugins/ directory.

6. Reactivate the Plugin

After uploading the new plugin version, go back to your WordPress dashboard and:

Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
Find the plugin you just updated and click Activate.

How to Manually Update Themes

1. Switch to a Default Theme (Optional but Recommended)

Before upgrading a theme, it’s a good idea to temporarily activate a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-One) to prevent any disruptions.

Go to Appearance > Themes, and activate a default theme.

2. Access the Themes Directory

Use an FTP client or your file manager to navigate to: wp-content/themes/ folder.

3. Delete the Old Theme Folder

Find the folder for the theme you want to upgrade and delete it.

4. Upload the New Theme Files

Extract the downloaded theme zip file on your local computer.
Upload the new theme folder (from the extracted zip file) to the wp-content/themes/ directory.

5. Reactivate the Theme

Once the new theme version is uploaded:

Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard.
Activate the theme you just updated.

Clear Caches: If you’re using a caching plugin or server-level caching (like Varnish), make sure to clear your cache after updating plugins or themes.

Test Your Site: After upgrading, thoroughly test your site to ensure that everything is working correctly. Look for any visual issues or functional problems, especially if you’ve updated a critical plugin or theme.

Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below!