How to Manually Update a Plugin in WordPress?

WordPress plugins are pieces of software that can be installed on a WordPress website to add new features or functionality. They allow users to extend the capabilities of WordPress beyond its core functions, and can range from simple add-ons that enhance the user experience to complex tools that enable advanced website customization.

There are tens of thousands of WordPress plugins available, covering a wide range of categories such as security, SEO, e-commerce, social media, and more. Most plugins are free to download and use, while others may require a one-time or recurring fee.

Plugins can be installed from the WordPress plugin repository or from third-party sources, and can be easily activated or deactivated from the WordPress dashboard. They are typically designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, with customizable settings and options that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a website.

While plugins can offer a great deal of flexibility and functionality to a WordPress site, it’s important to be selective in choosing which plugins to install. Too many plugins can slow down a site’s performance or cause compatibility issues, so it’s important to choose only those plugins that are essential to your site’s goals and objectives.

How do you know when to Update a WordPress Plugin?

There are a few ways to know when it’s time to update a WordPress plugin:

1. Automatic updates: By default, WordPress will automatically notify you when there’s a new version of a plugin available, and you can choose to update with a single click.
2. Dashboard notifications: When you log in to your WordPress dashboard, you will see a notification at the top of the page if there are any updates available for your plugins, themes, or core software.
3. Plugin page: You can check the “Plugins” page in your WordPress dashboard to see if any of your plugins have updates available. Simply navigate to “Plugins” > “Installed Plugins” and look for the “Update Available” message next to each plugin.
4. Email notifications: Some plugin developers send out email notifications to users when a new version of their plugin is released. This can be a good way to stay informed about updates and new features.

It’s generally a good idea to keep your plugins up-to-date, as newer versions often contain important security updates, bug fixes, and new features.

How to Manually Update a WordPress Plugin?

Sure, here’s a detailed guide on how to manually update a WordPress plugin:

Step 1: Backup your website Before updating any plugin, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your website, including your database and files. This ensures that if anything goes wrong during the update process, you can easily restore your website to its previous state.

Step 2: Download the latest version of the plugin Visit the plugin’s official website or the WordPress repository to download the latest version of the plugin. Save the plugin file to your computer.

Step 3: Deactivate the current version of the plugin In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the “Plugins” page and find the plugin you want to update. Deactivate the plugin by clicking on the “Deactivate” link below the plugin name.

Step 4: Delete the current version of the plugin After deactivating the plugin, click on the “Delete” link below the plugin name to remove it from your website. This will not delete any of the data associated with the plugin.

Step 5: Install the new version of the plugin In your WordPress dashboard, click on the “Add New” button at the top of the “Plugins” page. Select the “Upload Plugin” option and choose the plugin file you downloaded in Step 2. Click the “Install Now” button to install the new version of the plugin.

Step 6: Activate the new version of the plugin After the plugin is installed, click on the “Activate” button to activate the new version of the plugin. Verify that the plugin is working properly and that all data is still intact.

In summary, to manually update a WordPress plugin, you need to download the latest version of the plugin, deactivate the current version of the plugin, delete the current version of the plugin, install the new version of the plugin, and activate the new version of the plugin. Remember to always back up your website before updating any plugins.

Why Update WordPress Plugins Manually?

Although WordPress provides an easy way to update plugins automatically, there are situations where you might need to update plugins manually. Here are some reasons why you might want to update WordPress plugins manually:

1. Control over the update process: When you update a plugin automatically, the update process is handled entirely by WordPress, and you don’t have much control over it. On the other hand, when you update a plugin manually, you have complete control over the update process, and you can make sure that everything goes smoothly.
2. Troubleshooting: Sometimes, updating a plugin automatically can cause issues on your website. By updating the plugin manually, you can troubleshoot any issues that might arise during the update process.
3. Customization: If you’ve made customizations to a plugin, such as adding custom code or modifying its functionality, you might want to update the plugin manually so that you can preserve those changes.
4. Lack of automatic updates: Some plugins don’t have automatic updates enabled, so you’ll need to update them manually to keep them up-to-date and secure.

Overall, while automatic updates can save time and make things easier, updating WordPress plugins manually can provide more control over the update process, troubleshooting, customization, and keeping your website secure.

How to Manually Update a WordPress Plugin via FTP?

Sure, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to manually update a WordPress plugin via FTP:

Step 1: Backup your website Before updating any plugin, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your website, including your database and files. This ensures that if anything goes wrong during the update process, you can easily restore your website to its previous state.

Step 2: Download the latest version of the plugin Visit the plugin’s official website or the WordPress repository to download the latest version of the plugin. Save the plugin file to your computer.

Step 3: Extract the plugin files Extract the plugin files from the zip file you downloaded in Step 2.

Step 4: Connect to your website via FTP Open your FTP client and connect to your website using your FTP credentials. If you’re not sure how to connect to your website via FTP, contact your web host for assistance.

Step 5: Navigate to the plugin directory In the FTP client, navigate to the “wp-content/plugins” directory.

Step 6: Delete the current version of the plugin Find the directory of the plugin you want to update and delete it. This will not delete any of the data associated with the plugin.

Step 7: Upload the new version of the plugin Upload the new version of the plugin that you extracted in Step 3 to the “wp-content/plugins” directory.

Step 8: Verify that the new version is working Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” page. Verify that the new version of the plugin is listed and that it is working properly.

In summary, to manually update a WordPress plugin via FTP, you need to download the latest version of the plugin, extract the plugin files, connect to your website via FTP, navigate to the plugin directory, delete the current version of the plugin, upload the new version of the plugin, and verify that the new version is working properly. Remember to always back up your website before updating any plugins.

How to Manually Update a WordPress Plugin in the Dashboard?

Sure, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to manually update a WordPress plugin in the dashboard:

Step 1: Backup your website Before updating any plugin, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your website, including your database and files. This ensures that if anything goes wrong during the update process, you can easily restore your website to its previous state.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Plugins” page Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” page.

Step 3: Check for updates On the “Plugins” page, check if there are any updates available for your plugins. If an update is available, you’ll see an update notification next to the plugin’s name.

Step 4: Deactivate the plugin Before updating the plugin, it’s important to deactivate it. Click on the “Deactivate” link below the plugin name.

Step 5: Update the plugin After deactivating the plugin, click on the “Update” link below the plugin name to update it.

Step 6: Reactivate the plugin After the plugin is updated, click on the “Activate” link below the plugin name to reactivate it.

Step 7: Verify that the new version is working Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” page. Verify that the new version of the plugin is listed and that it is working properly.

In summary, to manually update a WordPress plugin in the dashboard, you need to navigate to the “Plugins” page, check for updates, deactivate the plugin, update the plugin, reactivate the plugin, and verify that the new version is working properly. Remember to always back up your website before updating any plugins.

Conclusion:

Updating WordPress plugins is an important task to keep your website secure, up-to-date, and functioning properly. While WordPress provides an easy way to update plugins automatically, there may be times when you need to update a plugin manually. Whether you choose to update a plugin via FTP or in the WordPress dashboard, it’s important to backup your website before making any changes.

By following the step-by-step guides on how to manually update a WordPress plugin, you can ensure that the update process goes smoothly and your website stays secure and functional.