How to Downgrade Your WordPress website - (r)
If you find yourself facing this kind of situation, you may need to reverse an upgrade and reduce the size of your WordPress site (or the part that is). There are several options that can be used to reverse each aspect of your site.
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What you might want to do upgrade your WordPress Version or Other Features
For this reason, we do not recommend going back to the old version of WordPress and any component of it for the duration of time. There are however situations in which you may want to do so temporarily.
Most often, the reason for this is caused by a plugin or theme conflict. If one of your site's components aren't compatible with the current version WordPress core, such as upgrading your WordPress installation could let users access the feature while you work on an ongoing solution.
If the issue is between two plugins, or between a plugin and your theme or theme, downgrading WordPress itself won't help. Instead, you'll need to reverse the version of the theme or plugin that's causing the problem, so that you can get your website up and working again.
How to Upgrade Your WordPress Website (6 Methods)
In this regard Here are six possible options to roll back your site. Each addresses a different needs, so we suggest going through them all to determine which one is the most suitable for your particular situation.
1. Upgrade Your WordPress Version Manually
Next, you should disable all plugins. It's easy when you're logged into the WordPress backend. Simply select the checkbox for the plugin you want to deactivate, then use the mass deactivate option:
Then, using FTP or FileZilla (or other clients) open your site's file system and erase your WordPress-admin and include directories:
After that, you can upload all the files from your version of WordPress you'd like to install, except for the content directory. When asked if you want to write overwrites to files, choose Overwrite . Then click OK.:
It is likely that you have now access to your account, and running the previous Version of WordPress:
In this case you are able to reactivate your plugins, and then work on resolving the original conflict.
2. Utilize WP Downgrade for running a Previous Version of WordPress
If you're not happy with FTP as well as the thought of deleting core files, it is possible to use a plugin. is a plugin available for downgrading WordPress. If you're interested in this concept, go ahead and Install WordPress Downgrade following the backup of your site:
Next, you can go to settings > WordPress Downgrade and enter your target version of WordPress in the appropriate field:
Click on "Save Changes" Then proceed into the updatesscreen. The screen will display that your desired version is now listed as the "latest version of WordPress":
Click on the Re-install Now button to begin the downgrade. WordPress appears to run a normal update, and then you should be greeted with the following message: your target version:
For a fresh installation of the latest version of WordPress after you've completed troubleshooting, you'll need to navigate to Settings > WP Downgrade. It is possible to change the target version back to the latest version, then follow the procedure described above.
3. Restore a Previous Backup in order to reverse changes made to Your Site
Also, you'll need to be certain that the copy of your website that is being rebuilt does not have missing key content that has been recently added. Don't risk accidentally delete your latest content while trying to upgrade WordPress. If your site is frequent, then this might not be the best route to go down.
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Choose the WordPress website you want to restore from the drop-down list. Go to the Backups tab:
Select the Restore drop-down menu. If you'd like to test your backup in an experimental environment, you can do so using this. To upgrade your live site to the version of WordPress that is in the backup choose Live:
In order to avoid any accidental restorations, you must take one final step before reverting your live site. Enter your website's name into the field that is appropriate, and then select Restore Backup to confirm your decision and begin the process:
It may take a while until the restoration process is be completed. When it is done, you'll be able gain access to your website's back end. Also, we'll create backups of your site just before the restoration, in case you need to erase the procedure.
4. Manually Downgrade a Plugin or theme
If you have to upgrade an existing theme or plugin in lieu or in addition to WordPress base, you can perform this manually by following a process similar to that in Method #1. To get started the first step is to download those files that belong to the earlier version of the plugin or theme you wish to downgrade.
Click to scroll to the bottom of the page, then choose the desired version from the drop-down menu. Then click on Download:
Unzip the file and save it on your computer. Create a backup of your site just in case something isn't working, and then connect to your server using FTP as well as your preferred program. There, navigate to wp-content > plugins.
Next, you'll need to change the directory's name to reflect the current version of your plugin. Upload the folder to your previous version that you want to upgrade to:
This will be able to successfully bring back the previous versions of the plug-in you want. In addition, you'll have up-to-date versions readily available, so you can switch back when at your disposal.
The problem is that this process becomes tricker for themes and premium plugins. The procedure for rolling the back of these themes is essentially identical, except that the WordPress Directory of Themes isn't able to make previous versions that are available for download.
As for premium plugins, older versions might or may not be accessible. If you are unable to locate the exact version of the plugin or theme that you need, your best alternative is to reach the developer for help.
5. This plugin and theme can be rolled back. Updates with WP Rollback
The plugin is frequently upgraded and boasts an impressive five-star rating on the WordPress Plugin directory. Once it's up and running you can go to the plugins list.
Now, you'll see the Rollback option under every plugin's name, in addition to other options that are standard:
When you click the new button it will take you to a web page on which you can select your target version. Click the button to rollback. option to initiate the downgrade process:
Rolling back themes is just as simple. Go to Themes > Appearance on your dashboard choose the one that you want to lower. Then, there will be a button to roll backbutton located at the bottom of the screen:
On the following screen on the next screen, you will be able to select your desired version, and then start the downgrade process, just like you would with a plugin. If you require to restore the theme or plugin that you are looking for it is possible to do this from the relevant directory.
6. Revert to an Older Version of PHP
But, older programs that weren't regularly maintained could not work with current version of PHP. The ideal is to always utilize plugins that are regularly updated as well as support from the developers.
To sign in, log into your account. Click on Sites, select the one you want to upgrade PHP, and then go to the Tools tab and scroll down to the PHP Engine:
Make use of the Modifydrop-down menu to pick the one you require:
In the next window in the window that appears, click Modify PHP Versionto initiate the procedure:
The process described above is more complex and carries more risks. It may be better to replace the problematic plugin or theme immediately in this instance, instead of downgrading PHP or attempting to fix the conflict further.
Summary
The blog article covered six different ways to downgrade your WordPress site and its various components:
- You can downgrade your WordPress website manually.
- Utilize WP Downgrade to run a previous version of WordPress.
- Restore a previous backup to undo changes to your site.
- Manually downgrade a plugin or theme.
- Rollback plugin and theme updates with WP Rollback.
- Return to an older version PHP.
Have you got any concerns concerning downgrading WordPress? Ask away in the comments area below!
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