You should always update WordPress to the latest version. Doing so ensures that you have all the latest features, and you’ll also be up-to-date with any security patches. If you want to upgrade WordPress’ security, you need to update the software, including the WordPress platform (which you can automatically update), the themes, and the plugins you’ve installed.
Here’s what you need to do:
Automatic Updates
Step 1:
Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Current versions of WordPress feature one-click updates. You can launch the update simply by clicking the link in the new version banner or by going to the Updates screen in your dashboard.
Step 2:
Once you’re on the WordPress Updates page, click the Update Now button to start the process.
If all is successful, you won’t have to do anything else and, once it’s done, you’ll be up-to-date.
By updating to the latest version, you will see that you have addressed some security issues and bugs.
Manual Updates via FTP
Normally, you’d be able to automatically update WordPress by simply clicking a button.
However, there are some cases when updating from the WordPress dashboard is not possible. In this case, you can manually update WordPress using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Connect to your website using your FTP client.
Go to your site’s root directory, and then locate the .maintenance file. Once you find the file, delete it.
Doing so will remove the ‘Failure to Update error’ message.
Doing a manual WordPress update can be quite tricky. A lot of people prefer to hire a professional to solve the issue. Don’t worry, it’s not that expensive at all!
You can look for someone to manually update WordPress on sites like Fiverr and Odesk. It should cost you only at about $5 to $10 (maximum would be $20).
Take note that WordPress often comes out with updates. Most are minor updates, with major updates released on a yearly basis. You might want to hire someone to do the updates on a frequent basis. That way, you can focus on other, more important things.
Updating WordPress Themes
Before anything else, you need to back up your current theme. Since we are going to update and replace theme files, there’s a chance something could go wrong (i.e. the theme’s settings reverting back to the original and then losing your customizations). It’s best to play it safe and have a backup. You can also hire someone to help you out.
So here’s what you need to do:
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appreance >> Themes.
Any themes that have updates available will display a message that says ‘Update is Available’.
Any themes that have updates available will display an alert banner. Click on the theme you want to upgrade and click on Update Now.
OR
From the WordPress dashboard, go to Updates, where you’ll find a list of themes that have updates available.
Select the theme you wish to update, and then click Update Themes.
Updating WordPress Plugins
From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins >> Installed Plugins.
If there are plugins that can be updated, a message will appear below that particular plugin, telling you that there’s a new version of the plugin.
To update, simply click on the Update Now button.
OR
From the WordPress dashboard, go to Updates, where you’ll find a list of plugins that have updates available.
Select the plugin(s) you wish to update, and then click Update Plugins.
You’re done! Now, you can easily update the WordPress platform, as well as the themes and plugin. As always, make sure to back up your WordPress installation before updating it so you can be sure that you can retrieve the old but working installation.
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