
Keeping your WordPress plugins updated is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain your website’s health. Plugins are the tools that add extra features to your site, and just like any tool, they need regular updates to work their best.
Updates often contain security patches to protect your site from hackers, performance improvements to speed up your site, and new features to enhance your website’s functionality. If you don’t update your plugins, your site may face issues like slow loading times, broken links or features, or even security vulnerabilities. These could impact your visitors’ experience and your site’s search rankings.
This tutorial shows you how to update WordPress plugins manually and automatically. We also cover tips on staying safe during the process and what to do if something goes wrong.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Keep your WordPress plugins updated to ensure your site stays secure and performs well.
- Review the update details before making changes to understand what’s new or fixed.
- Create a full website backup before updating to protect your data in case of issues.
- Use the WordPress dashboard to update plugins easily, individually or in bulk.
- You can also update WordPress plugins using WP-CLI, FTP, and your hosting account.
- WP-CLI offers a fast and efficient way to update plugins in bulk if you’re comfortable using the command line.
- Test the plugin’s latest updates on a staging site to avoid problems on your live website.
- Use trusted plugins from reputable developers and remove unused ones to keep your site clean.
- Enable automatic updates for reliable plugins to save time and effort.
- Troubleshoot common update issues by deactivating plugins, checking error logs, or restoring from a backup.
- Set up email notifications and automatic backups for smooth plugin management.
- Regularly check for updates to both plugins and WordPress core to keep your website running smoothly.
Table of Contents
Things to do Before Updating Plugins
Before updating WordPress plugins, take a few precautions to keep your site safe and avoid problems. The first step is to review the version details. When you see an update notification, click on View version x.x.x details, to read about the changes. This will help you understand what’s new, such as added features, bug fixes, or security patches.

Next, think about the timing of the update. If the update isn’t a critical security fix, wait a few days to a week. This gives developers time to catch and fix any bugs showing after the update is released.
Most importantly, backup your website before making any changes. A complete backup ensures that all your files, plugins, and content are safe. If anything goes wrong while you update, you can quickly restore your site without losing important data.
Manually Update WordPress Plugins
There are 3 ways to update WordPress plugins manually:
- Using WordPress Admin Dashboard
- Through SFTP or FTP
- Via WP-CLI.
Let’s continue with the easiest approach first:
Use WordPress Admin Dashboard
Updating a WordPress plugin is simple and can be done directly from your website’s backend. The easiest way is to use WordPress Admin Dashboard. Here’s how to do this:
First, log in to your WordPress admin area and go to Dashboard → Updates. Here, you’ll see a list of plugins that have updates available. Review the list to ensure you’re updating the plugins you need.
Click the checkbox next to the plugins you want to update or select all. Then, click Update Plugins. WordPress will automatically download and install the latest versions for you. A success message will appear once the updates are complete.

Now, refresh your website and check that everything works as expected after updating. This process ensures your plugins are updated, keeping your site secure and running smoothly.
Alternatively, you can update WordPress plugins using Plugins in your dashboard. Here’s how to do it:
Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. Here, you’ll see a list of all the plugins installed on your website. Look for plugins with an update notification. Click Update Now under the plugin you want to update. WordPress will automatically fetch, download, and install the most recent version of that plugin.

Once the update is complete, you’ll see a message telling you the process was successful. Always check your website after updating to ensure everything is working fine. With this fast method, you can update plugins individually with just a click.
Use SFTP or FTP
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a method to transfer files between your local computer and your website’s server. On the other hand, Secure FTP (SFTP) is similar to FTP but uses encryption for safer file transfers. However, both methods let you access your WordPress files directly from your server.
This method is useful if the WordPress plugin update process fails via the dashboard. To use this approach, download and install an FTP client like FileZilla. Next, configure your site in FileZilla. Then, you’ll need FTP credentials from your hosting provider to connect to your web hosting server.
Hosted.com users can find their FTP login credentials by navigating to cPanel → Files → FTP Accounts. Then, scroll down to the FTP Accounts section and click Configure FTP Client to view your login details.

Afterwards, go to the plugin’s official page in the WordPress Plugin Repository or on the developer’s website. Download the updated plugin as a .zip file to your computer.

Right-click on your downloaded file and select Extract All. Extract the .zip file to your specified folder. You may also mark the Show extracted files when complete checkbox to see extracted files when they are completed. Lastly, click Extract.

Now, open your FTP client (e.g., FileZilla). Fill in the FTP credentials provided by your hosting provider and click Quickconnect to access your website’s files.

On the right-hand side (Remote site) locate your WordPress installation directory. Then, navigate to the following:
wp-content/plugins/
Locate the folder of the plugin you want to update.

Now, on the left-hand side (Local site), locate the extracted folder of the updated plugin and drag and drop it into the plugins folder on the server.

When prompted, choose Overwrite to replace the old files with the updated ones and click OK. You may also check Always use this action to avoid seeing this popup repeatedly.

Now, it’s time to verify the update. Go to WordPress Admin Dashboard → Plugins → Installed Plugins and confirm the plugin is updated to the latest version.
Update Through WP-CLI
Manually updating WordPress plugins using WP-CLI is a quick and efficient way to keep your site secure and updated. This method is useful for developers or site, administrators managing multiple websites, as it allows you to bypass the WordPress dashboard and handle updates directly from the command line. You may prefer this method if:
- You manage multiple websites and need a faster update process.
- Your WordPress dashboard is inaccessible due to technical issues.
- You prefer command-line tools for better control over the update process.
- You want to automate updates via scripts.
However, before you begin with this method to update WordPress plugins, you must have the following things:
- WP-CLI Installed: WP-CLI must be installed and configured on your server. Check with your web hosting provider if you’re unsure.
- SSH Access: Secure Shell (SSH) must be enabled on your hosting account. It’s required to connect to your server.
- Terminal/Command Prompt: This is a terminal application like Terminal (Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt/PuTTY (Windows). You’ll use this to write commands to establish a connection with your web server.
- Command-Line Knowledge: Basic familiarity with command-line commands is required.
- WordPress Admin Privileges: Ensure you have administrative access to your WordPress site.
Once everything is ready, open a terminal or command-line tool on your computer. In this tutorial example, we use the Windows command prompt.
Then, use the following SSH command to connect to your server.
ssh write-your-username@write-your-server-ip -p write-your-port-number
Ensure you replace write-your-username, write-your-server-ip, and write-your-port-number with your username, server IP, and port number, respectively.
When connecting to your server for the first time, you’ll see a prompt asking whether you want to add the server to your list of known hosts. Type yes to proceed.
Next, you’ll need to enter your password. Remember: the password will not appear on the screen as you type it. So, ensure you type correctly.

Then, go to your WordPress installation directory using the cd command as follows:
cd /path/to/your/wordpress/installation/directory

Before updating, check which plugins have updates available. To do this, run this command:
wp plugin list --update=available
This will display a list of plugins with available updates, including the version you’re using currently.

To update a specific plugin, use the following command, replacing plugin-slug with the actual plugin name:
wp plugin update plugin-slug
For example:
wp plugin update classic-editor
This updates only the Classic Editor plugin.

Undo a WordPress Plugin Update
Sometimes, updating WordPress plugins can cause issues on your website, such as broken features or errors. If this happens, don’t worry – you can easily undo the update. Here’s how to fix the problem step by step:
The first thing to do is deactivate the plugin causing the issue. To do it, navigate to your WordPress Admin Area → Plugins → Installed Plugins, and find the plugin you just updated. Then, click Deactivate to turn it off temporarily. This often resolves problems while you find a long-term solution.

However, if you want to return to the previous version of the plugin, the WP Rollback plugin is a helpful tool. To use it, you first need to install and activate it. Then, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins, find your problematic plugin, and click Rollback.

Select the version you want to restore and click Rollback.

A confirmation window will appear, recommending you create a complete backup of your website, including the WordPress database and files, before proceeding with the rollback. It also explains that the plugin provider is not liable for any problems, such as misuse, data loss, white screens, fatal errors, or other issues caused when you use the plugin. Once you are sure about proceeding, click the Rollback button again to confirm.

Finally, click Activate Plugin to use this plugin.

There may be a case where you can’t access the admin dashboard to roll back. If this happens, you’ll need to deactivate the plugin. To do this, connect to your site using FTP or your hosting provider’s File Manager. Here’s how to use the Hosted.com File Manager to do this:
Log into Hosted.com’s cPanel and go to Files → File Manager.

Navigate to the following directory:
public_html/wp-content/plugins
Find the plugin’s folder and rename it (e.g., add “-disabled” to the name). This will deactivate the plugin.

Now, refresh your website to see if the issue is resolved.
Update WordPress Plugins in Bulk
Managing multiple plugins on a WordPress site can become time-consuming, especially when updates are frequently released. Bulk updating is a convenient way to keep all your plugins updated in one go. You can do it using your WordPress admin dashboard and WP-CLI.
In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. Click the checkbox at the top of the list to select all plugins. From the Bulk actions dropdown menu, select Update and click Apply. WordPress will begin updating all the selected plugins.

However, if using the WP-CLI method, you can execute the following command to update all plugins:
wp plugin update --all
We recommend using the wp plugin list –update=available command before and after updating all plugins to crosscheck if all plugins have been updated to their latest versions.

However, if you want to skip certain plugins while updating the rest, use this command:
wp plugin update --all --exclude=plugin-slug1,plugin-slug2
Replace plugin-slug1 and plugin-slug2 with the slugs of the plugins you don’t want to update.

If you want to control release types and only want to apply minor or patch updates to reduce compatibility risks, use:
wp plugin update --all --minor
or:
wp plugin update --all --patch
Once the updates are complete, WP-CLI will display a success message for each updated plugin. To confirm the updates, run:
wp plugin list
Check the version column to ensure plugins are updated to the latest version.

Once the updates are complete, visit your website and test its functionality. This step is mandatory to identify and resolve any compatibility issues.
Important:
If you’re unsure about the latest updates of one or multiple plugins, use a staging environment; this is a copy of your live website. Here, you can test updates without affecting visitors. Once you confirm everything works well, apply the updates to your live site. Hosted.com offers one-click staging environments. To help you, we’ve already written about How To Setup A WordPress Staging Site – you can refer to it for more information.
Enable Automatic WordPress Plugin Updates
Enabling automatic updates for WordPress plugins can be a smart choice depending on your website’s needs and your ability to monitor changes. Automatic updates save time, enhance security, and reduce manual effort, making them particularly useful for certain scenarios.
For example, you should enable automatic updates for plugins when you have trusted, well-maintained plugins installed. Another suitable situation is for security-focused plugins. Since these plugins often release updates to patch vulnerabilities, enabling auto-updates ensures your site remains protected against emerging threats.
One of the main reasons to enable automatic updates is to keep your site secure. Outdated or incompatible plugins are a common entry point for hackers, and automatic updates ensure you always run the latest, most secure versions. They also save significant time and effort, especially for users managing multiple sites or busy schedules.
However, it’s essential to weigh the benefits against potential risks. While automatic updates can be convenient, they may occasionally introduce compatibility issues with your WordPress version, themes, or other plugins. For this reason, we recommend you enable automatic updates only for trusted plugins and regularly back up your site to protect against unforeseen problems.
Once you’ve carefully evaluated your site’s requirements and the reliability of your plugins, you may go through the following steps to update WordPress plugins automatically:
To enable automatic updates from the WordPress admin dashboard, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. Locate the plugin you want to update automatically and click Enable auto-updates. This ensures that trusted plugins stay updated without manual effort.

If you’re a Hosted.com client, you can also enable automatic updates for all plugins from your hosting account. To do that, log in to the Hosted.com’s cPanel dashboard. Go to Popular Applications → WordPress.

Click WordPress Manager.

Next, click the downward arrow (v) next to your required domain name.

Click Enable under Auto Upgrade WordPress Plugins. Now, all plugins installed for this WordPress installation will be automatically upgraded to the latest version every 24 hours.

You may also set up email notifications to stay informed about available updates. Many WordPress hosting providers and plugins can send alerts when updates are available. This keeps you in the loop so you can act fast.
However, if you don’t have time to manage updates or are unsure how to handle them, professional maintenance services can help. These services take care of updates, backups, and troubleshooting for you so you can focus on growing your website.
Best Practices to Update WordPress Plugins
We’ve shown you how to update plugins, but following best practices while updating ensures your website stays secure and works smoothly. Here’s how you can manage plugin updates the right way:
Regularly update your plugins and WordPress core; updates often incorporate security patches, performance improvements, and new features. Ignoring them could leave your site vulnerable to hackers or cause it to run slowly. Check your dashboard frequently for available updates or enable automatic updates for trusted plugins.
Unused or outdated plugins can create security risks or slow down your site. If a plugin hasn’t been updated by its developer in a long time or you’re no longer using it, delete it. Keeping your plugin list clean reduces the chance of conflicts and makes your website easier to manage.
Furthermore, always choose plugins from reputable developers with good reviews and regular updates. The safest ones are plugins from the WordPress Plugin Repository or well-known developers. Avoid downloading plugins from untrusted sources, as they may contain malicious code that could harm your site.
If you follow these practices, you can ensure your WordPress site stays secure, fast, and reliable while avoiding unnecessary problems.
Troubleshoot Common Plugin Update Issues
Updating WordPress plugins is usually simple, but sometimes things go wrong. Don’t worry. Most issues can be fixed quickly with the right steps. Here’s how to handle common plugin update problems:
Website Breaks After Update
If your site crashes or features stop working after updating a plugin, first restore your site from a backup. Use your backup plugin or hosting provider’s backup tool to return your site to its previous state.
Next, deactivate the problematic plugin. You can do so from your WordPress dashboard. If you can’t access the dashboard, use FTP or your hosting’s File Manager to rename the plugin folder in wp-content/plugins directory.
Error Messages During Update
While updating, you may sometimes see error messages like Update Failed or Connection Timed Out. These errors can happen if the plugin’s files aren’t downloading correctly or there’s a server issue.
If this happens, check WordPress error logs for more details. Most hosting providers have a tool for viewing logs, or you can enable debug mode by editing the wp-config.php file. Review the log file in the wp-content folder to find the problem and take corrective action.
Plugins Not Updating Properly
If a plugin doesn’t update as expected, clearing the WordPress cache can help. Use a caching plugin or your hosting’s cache tool to clear it. This ensures your site is loading the latest files.
Additionally, review your file permissions. Plugins need proper permissions to install updates. Connect to your web server via FTP and ensure the wp-content/plugins folder has 755 permissions. Incorrect permissions can block updates.

![Stay secure with automatic WordPress Plugin updates from Hosted.com’s Smart Update tool Strip Banner Text - Stay secure with automatic WordPress Plugin updates from Hosted.com’s Smart Update tool. [More Info]](https://www.hosted.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/update-wordpress-plugins-2-1024x229.png)
FAQs
Why should I update WordPress plugins regularly?
Updating plugins is crucial to keep your website secure, fast, and functional. Developers release the latest updates to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, and introduce new features. Ignoring these updates can open your site to hacking attempts or cause compatibility issues with WordPress.
How can I ensure that a plugin update is safe?
To ensure a plugin update is safe, check the changelog for details about the update. Look for recent reviews or feedback from other users. Ensure the plugin is actively maintained and has been updated recently.
What’s the role of hosting in plugin updates?
Your hosting environment can impact whether updates run smoothly. Reliable hosting provides better support, faster execution times, and tools like backups or staging environments to test updates. Choose hosting that includes WordPress-specific features to manage updates more efficiently.
What should I do if I see a warning when I update WordPress plugins?
Some plugins display warnings like “Major update – test before applying”. This means the update may include significant changes. If this is the case, review the update notes, test it on a staging site, and back up your website before proceeding.
Should I enable automatic plugin updates?
Automatic updates are convenient for trusted plugins from reputable developers. However, for plugins with complex functionality or customizations, update manually instead to ensure compatibility. Test updates on a staging site if you’re unsure.
Other Related Tutorials
– WordPress Security Plugins: Enhancing Your WordPress Site’s Safety
– How to Enhance Website Performance with WordPress CDN Plugins
– Effective Use of WordPress Performance Plugins
– Best SEO Plugin for WordPress and Hosting Compatibility
– Using WordPress CDN Plugins to Scale Websites