Plugin and theme updates are code modifications that developers release to fix security vulnerabilities, patch bugs, add new features, and maintain compatibility with newer WordPress versions. You’ll receive these updates automatically for items from the WordPress repository, but premium plugins and themes require manual updates with valid licences.
Since over 80% of hacked WordPress sites had outdated components, keeping everything current isn’t optional—it’s essential for protecting your site from malware and complete takeovers that’ll cost you far more than a few minutes of maintenance.
Understanding Plugin and Theme Updates
When you install WordPress plugins and themes, you’re essentially adding layers of code that enhance your site’s capabilities—but here’s the thing: that code isn’t static.
Developers continually release updates packed with new features, bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements.
These updates aren’t merely nice-to-haves—they’re essential maintenance that keeps your site running smoothly.
Plugin updates can enhance functionality, fix broken features, or patch security vulnerabilities that hackers are eager to exploit. Outdated plugins create weak points that make your website an easy target for cyber attacks.
Theme updates often include compatibility fixes for newer WordPress versions and styling enhancements.
Without regular updates, you’re effectively running outdated software that becomes increasingly vulnerable and potentially incompatible over time.
Think of updates as routine maintenance for your digital engine—neglect them, and you’ll eventually face larger issues.
Premium themes typically cost between $15 to $200 and offer advanced features with dedicated support compared to free alternatives.
How Automatic Update Systems Work
WordPress manages automatic updates in varying ways depending on the source of your plugins and themes.
If you are using plugins and themes from the official WordPress repository, you will benefit from smooth automatic updates facilitated by the WP Cron system, which operates twice daily at 7am and 7pm. WordPress employs a database lock mechanism to ensure that these updates occur singly, avoiding any conflicts during the update procedure.
However, premium plugins and themes sourced from third-party developers will not update automatically as they are not linked to WordPress.org’s update servers—you will need to manage these updates manually or through the developer’s proprietary update system.
WordPress Repository Auto-Updates
Behind the scenes of every WordPress site, an automated mechanism continuously monitors for updates and handles installations without your direct involvement.
This system specifically targets content from the WordPress.org repository—the official source for plugins and themes. When you install plugins through your dashboard’s search function, you’re pulling from WordPress.org’s repository.
These repository-hosted items automatically receive update notifications and installations. However, premium themes from marketplaces like ThemeForest won’t benefit from this system. Such premium options often cost hundreds of rand but require manual update management.
The WordPress.org API controls which updates get pushed automatically, especially for critical security vulnerabilities . You can verify if your plugins qualify by searching their names in the WordPress.org directory. Regular monthly maintenance ensures these automatic systems function properly alongside manual update requirements for premium components.
Repository items? Automatic updates available.
External sources? You’ll manage updates manually. These automatic updates have been available for WordPress installations since version 3.7 and later.
Premium Plugin Manual Requirements
Premium plugins operate outside WordPress’s mechanised ecosystem, forcing you to manage their updates manually.
Unlike repository plugins that update seamlessly, premium plugins require active licence verification and direct intervention from you. When automatic updates fail—which happens roughly 1% of the time—you’ll see those dreaded “Plugin upgrade Failed” messages. That’s your cue to roll up your sleeves.
Here’s what you’ll need for manual updates:
- Valid licence keys and administrative dashboard access
- Downloaded ZIP files from the developer’s website or portal
- FTP/SFTP credentials for direct file replacement methods
Navigate to your WordPress dashboard‘s “Add New Plugin” section, click “Upload Plugin,” and select your ZIP file. Choose “Replace current with uploaded” to overwrite existing versions without losing configurations. After upload completion, verify the plugin update in your WordPress dashboard to confirm the installation was successful.
Manual Plugin Update Process
When automatic updates fail or simply aren’t an option, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and handle the plugin update manually.
Don’t worry—it’s not rocket science, but you’ll want to follow a systematic approach.
First, create a complete backup of your site. Trust me on this one.
Next, download the latest plugin version from the developer’s website or WordPress repository.
Deactivate the plugin through your dashboard, then access your site via SFTP or file manager.
Delete the old plugin folder from wp-content/plugins/, then upload the new files maintaining the same directory structure.
Once uploaded, verify the plugin appears correctly in your dashboard with the updated version number, then reactivate it.
Test all functionality to ensure everything works as expected for your South African visitors.
Our team performs ongoing checks for errors and updates to ensure your website maintains optimal performance and security standards.
Theme Update Procedures
While plugin updates might seem straightforward once you’ve become proficient with them, theme updates require a slightly different approach—and honestly, they can make or break your site’s appearance.
You’ll find theme updates through Appearance > Themes, where WordPress displays clear notices for available updates. Repository themes receive automatic notifications and integrate seamlessly with WordPress’s update system. Custom or premium themes often require manual procedures.
Before updating any theme, follow these essential steps:
- Create a thorough backup of your entire site
- Test updates in a staging environment when possible
- Verify theme functionality across different pages after completion
For multiple themes, proceed to Dashboard > Updates and use the bulk update feature.
Always check your site’s frontend immediately after updates are complete. New versions include security patches and bug fixes, but they can occasionally cause unexpected issues.
Child Theme Implementation for Custom Sites
When you’ve invested hours customising your theme’s code and styling, you’ll want those changes to survive the next update.
Creating a child theme acts as your safety net, ensuring your custom modifications won’t disappear when the parent theme receives updates.
You’ll need just two essential files—style.css and functions.php—to establish this protective layer that preserves your hard work.
Creating Child Themes
Creating Child Themes
Two essential files form the foundation of every WordPress child theme: a stylesheet (style.css) and a functions file (functions.php). You’ll need both to create a functional child theme that protects your customisations.
Your style.css file requires specific header information, including a Template field that matches your parent theme‘s folder name exactly. The functions.php file handles loading both parent and child theme styles through wp_enqueue_scripts action.
Follow these essential steps:
- Upload your child theme folder to wp-content/themes/ directory alongside the parent theme.
- Copy template files from parent theme first, then modify rather than creating from scratch.
- Override only the CSS and template files you’re actually changing.
Child themes automatically override parent files with identical names—no additional configuration needed.
Preserving Custom Code
Before you spend hours creating the perfect custom CSS or building intricate template modifications, you’ll want to implement a child theme strategy that protects your hard work from vanishing during routine updates.
Child themes create an update-safe foundation by overriding parent theme files without touching the originals. When you copy template files to your child theme directory, they automatically take precedence over parent versions.
Your functions.php additions remain intact because child theme functions load alongside—not instead of—parent functions. The key? Only override what you’re actually changing.
Don’t duplicate entire parent structures unnecessarily. Document your modifications thoroughly, and test everything after parent updates.
This approach guarantees your customisations survive updates while maintaining clean, organised code that won’t break unexpectedly.
Safety Considerations and Best Practices
Although updating plugins and themes might seem like a routine maintenance task, it’s actually one of the most critical security measures you’ll perform on your WordPress site. Over 80% of hacked WordPress sites had outdated components, making this your first line of defence against malware injection and complete site takeover.
Before you start clicking update buttons, you’ll need proper safety protocols.
Create full backups**** of your site and database before making any changes.
Enable maintenance mode**** and test updates on staging environments first.
Update in sequence – themes first, then plugins in small batches.
Clear your cache between each update phase and test site functionality thoroughly.
Don’t forget to delete unused plugins beforehand – they’re just security risks waiting to happen.
Common Update Issues and Troubleshooting
Even with perfect preparation, updates will break your site – it’s not a matter of if, but when.
Here’s what you’ll face and how to fix it:
White Screen of Death happens when your PHP version can’t handle updated themes.
Modern themes need PHP 7.4+ or 8.0+. Plugin conflicts also trigger white screens during updates.
Plugin incompatibilities emerge after WordPress core updates.
Your site behaves strangely or breaks entirely. Deactivate all plugins systematically to identify the culprit.
Incomplete file uploads occur when updates stop mid-process due to connection issues or server problems.
You’ll see missing plugins highlighted in red on your dashboard.
Failed auto-updates create blank screens when WordPress can’t connect properly.
Manual SFTP replacement becomes your lifeline for corrupted files.
Creating an Effective Update Schedule
When your WordPress site gets hacked because you haven’t updated plugins in six months, you’ll wish you’d created a proper update schedule.
A compromised website from neglected updates is an expensive lesson in the importance of consistent maintenance schedules.
Don’t let update backlog become your security nightmare.
Here’s your foolproof scheduling strategy:
- Weekly maintenance windows: Schedule updates during off-peak hours when traffic’s lowest, giving yourself troubleshooting time if things go awry.
- Staged progression approach: Update plugins first in small batches, then themes, finally WordPress core. Never bulk update everything simultaneously.
- Monthly thorough reviews: Document update dates, version numbers, and issues whilst clearing out unused plugins that create unnecessary maintenance overhead.
WordPress 5.5’s auto-update features help, but you still need intentional scheduling.
Create staging environments for testing significant updates before going live. Your future self will thank you when everything runs smoothly.
Remember that WordPress plugins provide essential features like contact forms, SEO, and security, making their regular updates critical for maintaining website functionality and protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know Which Plugins Are Safe to Update?
Check plugin update dates, read changelogs, verify WordPress compatibility, review developer activity, and test in staging environments. You’ll know plugins are safe when they’re actively maintained with recent updates and positive user feedback.
Can I Roll Back Updates if Something Goes Wrong?
Yes, you can roll back updates using the WP Rollback plugin, WP-CLI commands, or WordPress’s built-in rollback features. These methods work for repository plugins and themes, allowing you to restore previous versions immediately.
Do Updates Affect My Website’s Loading Speed?
Yes, updates affect your website’s loading speed. Security plugins can slow loading by 21.50%, while ecommerce plugins impact performance by 31.10%. However, keeping everything updated ensures optimal performance and compatibility.
Should I Update Plugins During High Traffic Periods?
No, you shouldn’t update plugins during high traffic periods. Updates can introduce bugs, compatibility issues, or crashes when your site’s most vulnerable. Schedule updates during low-traffic times for safer testing and troubleshooting.
How Long Do Updates Typically Take to Complete?
Plugin updates typically take a few minutes to complete manually, whilst auto-updates can take up to 12 hours. You’ll experience faster timing with good server performance and stable internet connections.