/ How to

How to Rollback WordPress Version

Rolling back your WordPress version should be done carefully, as downgrading can cause compatibility issues and expose security vulnerabilities if not done properly. However, there are legitimate reasons you may need to revert to a previous version, such as if an update breaks your site. This guide will walk through several methods to safely downgrade WordPress.

Back Up Your Site

Before making any changes, it’s crucial to back up your WordPress site. This will allow you to restore your site if anything goes wrong during the rollback process.

There are several ways to back up your site:

  • Use a dedicated WordPress backup plugin like UpdraftPlus. This allows you to create complete backups of your WordPress files and database.
  • Manually back up your WordPress database and files via cPanel or FTP. Download your database SQL file and zip your WordPress file directory.
  • Create a full site backup using a hosting control panel, if available through your web host.

Use a Rollback Plugin

The easiest way to downgrade WordPress is by using a dedicated rollback plugin. The WP Rollback plugin allows you to revert individual plugins, themes, and the WordPress core software to previous versions with a few clicks.

To use it:

  • Install and activate the WP Rollback plugin.
  • Go to Plugins or Appearance > Themes.
  • Find the plugin or theme you want to downgrade.
  • Click the “Rollback” button and select the version you want to revert to.

This seamlessly downgrades plugins and themes without having to manually replace files.

Manually Downgrade WordPress

If you want to downgrade the WordPress core software itself, you’ll need to do so manually:

  1. Deactivate all plugins to avoid conflicts.
  2. Access your site files via FTP or cPanel file manager.
  3. Delete all files and folders except wp-content.
  4. Download the WordPress version you want to downgrade to.
  5. Extract the ZIP file and upload the contents to your site’s directory via FTP or file manager.
  6. Run the update script by accessing yoursite.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php.

This will replace the core WordPress files with the previous version while retaining your content and database. You may then reactivate plugins once the process completes.

Use WP Downgrade Plugin

Another option is using the WP Downgrade plugin specifically for rolling back the WordPress core version:

  1. Install and activate the WP Downgrade plugin.
  2. Go to Settings > WP Downgrade.
  3. Enter the WordPress version you want to revert to.
  4. Click “Save Changes”.
  5. Go to Dashboard > Updates to run the downgrade.

This automates the core downgrade process without having to manually replace files.

Roll Back Via cPanel

If your host uses cPanel, you can downgrade WordPress versions through there as well:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Access File Manager.
  3. Delete all files/folders except wp-content.
  4. Download the WordPress version you want.
  5. Upload the extracted WordPress files via cPanel’s File Manager.
  6. Run the upgrade script at yoursite.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php.

This allows you to replace WordPress core files through your host’s control panel.

Restore a Backup

If you just need to undo recent changes or have a full site backup, restoring that is an easy way to rollback everything at once. Just be sure to create a new backup first before restoring an old one.

Update Immediately After

After successfully troubleshooting whatever issue required you to downgrade, it’s crucial to update your WordPress site and plugins to the latest secure versions as soon as possible. Staying on an outdated version too long can expose your site to vulnerabilities.

Avoid When Possible

While useful in some cases, downgrading WordPress can cause a whole new set of problems if not done properly. Make sure you have a complete backup first, and exhaust other options before attempting to rollback versions. Whenever possible, it’s best to determine the specific cause of issues and fix them without downgrading.

Conclusion

Reverting to a previous version of WordPress can quickly solve problems caused by software updates. But extreme caution must be exercised, as it can easily break things further. Have backups ready, consider potential compatibility issues, and be prepared to update again soon after downgrading. Avoid when possible, but utilize the various rollback methods carefully when necessary.

Related Posts