How to update WordPress, themes and plugins safely

Keeping WordPress, your theme and plugins up to date fixes bugs and closes security holes. A few simple habits make updates safe.

1. Back up first. Take a fresh backup (UpdraftPlus, or restore-point from our DirhamVault off-site backups) before any update.
2. Update in order. In Dashboard → Updates, update plugins and themes first, then the WordPress core.
3. Do one big plugin at a time so if something breaks you know the cause.
4. Check your site afterwards — open the homepage, a key page and your checkout if you sell online.

For important sites, test updates on a staging copy first (see our staging article), then push the changes live. Turn on automatic updates for minor core releases and trusted plugins from the Plugins screen to stay patched without effort.

If an update ever leaves a blank page or error, restore your backup or roll back the single plugin. Our team can restore a DirhamVault backup for you — contact WhatsApp +971 58 553 6767 or support@dirhamaday.ae.