Introduction
Keeping your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up to date is essential for security, performance, and compatibility. Outdated components can expose your website to vulnerabilities or cause plugin/theme conflicts.
This guide shows you how to safely update WordPress, themes, and plugins using both the WordPress Toolkit and the WordPress Dashboard (accessible via cPanel).
Method 1: Update via WordPress Toolkit in cPanel
The WordPress Toolkit is a powerful cPanel feature that allows centralized management of your WordPress websites, including updates.
Step-by-Step:
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Log into your cPanel account
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Navigate to the WordPress Toolkit (usually under “Applications” or “Software”)
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Locate the WordPress installation you want to update
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Click the “Updates” tab under that site
You’ll see:
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Core WordPress version
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Installed themes
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Installed plugins
And whether updates are available for each.
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Click “Update All”, or individually select what you want to update
???? You can also enable auto-updates for core, plugins, or themes by toggling the switches.
Method 2: Update via WordPress Admin Dashboard
You can also update everything from within the WordPress admin area.
Step-by-Step:
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Log in to your WordPress site via
yourdomain.com/wp-admin -
Go to Dashboard > Updates
Here you will see:
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A notice if a new WordPress version is available
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Lists of plugins and themes with pending updates
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Click:
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“Update Now” for the WordPress core
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Select and update plugins and themes as needed
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Enabling Auto-Updates (Optional)
In the WordPress Toolkit:
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Enable automatic updates for:
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WordPress core
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Plugins
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Themes
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From WordPress admin:
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Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
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Click “Enable Auto-Updates” next to each plugin
Safety Tips Before Updating
| Task | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Backup your site | Prevent data loss if anything breaks during update |
| Check plugin compatibility | Some plugins may not be ready for the latest WP version |
| Update in staging first | Test changes in a staging site if you manage a high-traffic website |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Site crashes after update | Restore from backup; check for plugin conflicts |
| Plugin/theme update fails | Reinstall via FTP or File Manager in cPanel |
| “Maintenance mode” stuck | Delete .maintenance file in the root directory via File Manager |
Conclusion
Updating WordPress and its components is crucial for site stability, performance, and protection against threats. Whether through the WordPress Toolkit or your WordPress dashboard, keeping your site updated only takes a few clicks — and it goes a long way in keeping your website secure.
