How to Update WordPress Website by 4 Methods 2026

As the leading content management system, WordPress offers a wide range of features and regularly introduces new ones. Therefore, to stay on top of the game, it's a must to perform your WordPress update safely with minimal downtime!

In this guide, we'll show you how to update WordPress website to the latest version using the 4 methods below:

• Update WordPress manually FTP
• Use Command-Line Interface (CLI)
• Update manually in cPanel
• Work with LitExtension Experts 

Without further ado, let’s get the ball rolling!

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Why You Need A WordPress Update?

The most recent WordPress core update 2026 was  WordPress 7.0 “Armstrong”, launched on May 20, 2026.

As a rule of thumb, the WordPress team regularly releases updates throughout the year to improve the platform's features and performance. There are two types of WordPress upgrade to keep in mind – major and minor:

• Major updates, which come out every 4 to 6 months, introduce big changes to the platform (usually brand-new functionalities).
• Minor updates, on the other hand, focus mostly on fixing bugs and other small improvements.

Whether it's a major or minor change, keeping your WordPress site updated ensures that it stays secure, runs smoothly, and works well with the latest plugins. Plus, your business will also benefit from all the exciting new features that help boost customers' overall experience.

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How to Update WordPress Website in the Dashboad Automatically?

For sites using WordPress 3.7 or later, minor/security updates will happen automatically in the background, so you don't have to think too much about them.

However, for major updates that introduce new features, you'll still need to go to the dashboard, select “Updates,” and click the “Update to version…” button to start the process!

Note:

Sometimes, you might encounter a request for FTP credentials when trying to update WordPress automatically. This often results from a minor permission issue; let us tell you how to fix it quickly:

• Open the IIS Management Console, then find the application pool connected to your WordPress site.
• In “Advanced Settings” (under “Process Model”), change the Identity to LocalSystem.
• After that, go to “Sites,” locate your blog, right-click it, and choose “Edit Permissions”
• In the Security tab, add “Authenticated Users.”

Now, your WordPress update should occur automatically without asking for FTP credentials.

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How to Update WordPress Website Manually FTP?

Step 1. Download the WordPress latest version

First, go to the WordPress download page and click “Download” to get the latest version as a ZIP file. Once downloaded, extract the archive to access the WordPress folder containing the updated core files.

Step 2. Replace the WordPress core files

Here, launch an FTP client of your choice (though we highly recommend FileZilla), then connect to your website using your FTP credentials.

Before uploading the new files, it's a good idea to temporarily deactivate your plugins to reduce the risk of compatibility issues during the update. Next, locate your website's root directory (usually public_html or your domain folder) and replace the old WordPress core files with the new ones:

• Delete the existing wp-admin and wp-includes folders from your server.
• Upload the new wp-admin and wp-includes folders from the extracted WordPress package.
• Open the new wp-content folder and upload only its individual files to your existing wp-content directory, overwriting files when prompted.
• Upload the remaining loose files from the WordPress root directory (such as index.php and wp-login.php) to your site's root directory, replacing the existing versions if prompted.

If your previous automatic update failed and your site is stuck in maintenance mode, delete the .maintenance file from your WordPress root directory before continuing.

Step 3. Finish your WordPress update

Once all files have been uploaded, visit your WordPress Admin Dashboard (/wp-admin). If WordPress detects that your database needs updating, click “Upgrade WordPress Database” and follow the on-screen instructions.

After the update is complete, reactivate your plugins and clear your website cache (if caching is enabled). That way, visitors can immediately see the latest version of your site!

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How to Update WordPress Website using Command-Line Interface (CLI)?

Step 1. Check WP-CLI installation

First, you must ensure that WP-CLI is installed on your server. Many hosting providers include it in their setup. If it’s not installed, follow the instructions on the WP-CLI website to get started.

Step 2: Access your server via SSH

To use WP-CLI, you’ll need to connect to your server via SSH. Open a terminal (or command prompt) on your computer and log in using your credentials. For example: ssh [email protected]

Once logged in, navigate to your WordPress installation directory: cd /path/to/wordpress

Step 3. Update WordPress core

Now, you can start updating WordPress. To update to the latest version, simply run: wp core update

If you want to limit the update to minor releases (e.g., from version 6.3.1 to 6.3.2), you can add the –minor flag: wp core update –minor

Alternatively, if you need a specific version of WordPress, specify the version like this: wp core update –version=6.3.1

Step 4. Verify the update

After the update completes, it’s always a good idea to confirm the installed version: wp core version

This will display the version of WordPress currently running on your site.

Step 5. Update plugins and themes

While you’re at it, don't forget about updating WordPress plugins and themes as well. So, how to update WordPress plugins here?

• For all plugins, run: wp plugin update –all
• For themes, use: wp theme update –all

WP-CLI is particularly helpful for managing multiple WordPress sites or automating updates. It’s quick and efficient, and it avoids the potential pitfalls of browser timeouts or UI errors.

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How to Update WordPress Website Manually in cPanel?

Step 1. Log in to cPanel

Start by logging into your hosting provider’s cPanel dashboard. Once inside, locate the File Manager tool, which you’ll use to manage your WordPress installation files.

Step 2. Enable automatic updates

To ensure WordPress updates itself automatically, you can make a small change to your site’s configuration file:

Navigate to your WordPress installation directory (usually under public_html or a subfolder like example.com). Find the wp-config.php file and click Edit.

Add the following line of code to enable automatic updates for all WordPress core releases: define(‘WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true);

If you prefer to enable updates only for minor versions (security and maintenance releases), modify the line as follows: define(‘WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', ‘minor');

Then, save your changes and close the editor. Once this is set, WordPress will handle future updates automatically, saving you time and effort.

Step 3. Perform a manual update (Optional)

If you’d like to manually update WordPress via cPanel instead of waiting for automatic updates, here’s how:

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. In cPanel, go to File Manager and upload the .zip file containing the latest WordPress version to your website’s root directory.
3. Extract the contents of the .zip file, overwriting the existing core files. This process will not affect your existing content, themes, or plugins.
4. Visit your WordPress dashboard to confirm that the update was successful.

Important Note:

Updating WordPress this way may be quick, but it can impact your data and previous SEO results. Don’t worry! If you want to update WordPress without losing data and keeping your SEO intact, LitExtension's WordPress Update service is here to help. Learn more about it in the section below.

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How to Upgrade WordPress with LitExtension Experts

Our Personal Assistant will keep you up-to-date on every step of the WordPress update process and take care of possible problems. Before going any further, here are the overall steps to help you visualize the process:

• Step 1: Technical Consultation
• Step 2: Target Cart Installation
• Step 3: Migration Configuration
• Step 4: Demo Migration
• Step 5: Full Migration
• Step 6: Migration Result Testing
• Step 7: Successful Migration

1. Technical Consultation

To begin with, schedule a call with our LitExtension Experts. Here, you will have a private meeting to discuss your WordPress updates and any questions or concerns you may have, such as the use of custom fields, unique requirements, etc.

Then, leave us your contact information, including your First Name, Last Name, and Email Address. Once the two parties have agreed on the terms and conditions for your WordPress update, we'll proceed to the payment step.

Currently, the price for LitExtension's All-in-One migration service starts from $139 based on the number of entities you would like to migrate. If you are satisfied with our offer, check out this detailed instruction to complete the payment.

2. Target Store Installation

Now, the experts will set up your WordPress store to ensure that it fulfills the platform's requirements before updating to the new version. This way, you are relieved knowing that there won't be any data corruption happening due to the platform's structure.

3. Migration Configuration

With the store has been modified, select the entities you wish to bring to the new WordPress version. These could be Products, Customers, Orders, or even Blog Posts, etc. You can even specify the exact amount with our experts before the update.

Furthermore, we also provide Additional Options to assist you in increasing the migration scope. Some of the best options are SEO URLs Migration & 301 Redirects, Migrate Customer Passwords, Migrate Images from Products, Categories and Blog Post Descriptions, etc.

These advanced features are available as part of the Basic Migration package for an additional $19 to $39. However, when you use our All-in-One service, you won't have to pay a dime for any of them.

The configuration process also includes tailoring your store's appearance. This, however, depends on the capabilities of the WordPress structure. Data that is not standard or that was developed by third-party modules, and extensions WILL NOT be migrated.

4. Demo Migration

LitExtension experts will run the Demo Migration service with a subset of your entities so you can see how it works before committing to the full migration.

5. Full Migration

Here comes the thrilling climax! LitExtension experts will finally perform the WordPress update. The LitExtension Smart Controller will detect malfunctions, and our staff will fix them immediately.

6. Migration Result Testing

To ensure that everything goes smoothly, our experts will double-check your WordPress upgrade result by going through all the data beforehand.

While you're updating your WordPress store, the old one will continue to function normally and receive new items.Hence, it is crucial that any new entities and changes be migrated to your new WordPress version. Our post-migration services will help you:

• Recent Data Migration: this will move all new orders and consumers from your old business to your new store without disrupting service.
• Re-Migration: redo the update process in case it hasn't met your needs yet.
• Smart Update: this allows you to migrate new records into your Source Store and update existing entries that have already been migrated.

There will be no restrictions on the frequency with which these services may be used. However, only 10% of the total data amount is allowed to migrate with these services. Additionally, our professionals will provide these services at no cost within the first three months after the complete update.

Check out how our Recent Data Migration works in the video below:

7. Successful Migration

When everything has fallen into its place, our experts will deliver you the final WordPress site being successfully updated. You are good to go!

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Troubleshooting Errors When Updating WordPress

Most WordPress updates finish without any issues. However, if something goes wrong, it's usually caused by incomplete file replacement, plugin or theme conflicts, or server caching. Let’s discuss what causes these errors and how to fix them:

Stuck in maintenance mode

After updating WordPress, some users see the message “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.” even though the update has already finished. This issue is likely to happen when an automatic update is interrupted before WordPress can remove its temporary maintenance file.

To fix it, you can:

• Connect to your website using FTP or your hosting File Manager
• Delete the .maintenance file located in your WordPress root directory
• Refresh your website.

Also, if the update was interrupted before completion, verify that all WordPress core files have been uploaded successfully before putting your site back into production.

White screen or critical error after updating

If your site suddenly displays a blank white page or a “There has been a critical error on this website” message after an update, the most likely cause is a compatibility issue between the new WordPress version and an outdated plugin, theme, or custom code.

The solution: disabling all plugins.

• If your website becomes accessible again, reactivate each plugin one at a time until you identify the incompatible one.
• If the problem persists, temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme to determine whether the issue comes from your theme instead.

Note: Updating your plugins and themes before upgrading WordPress can significantly reduce the chance of encountering this error.

Changes don’t appear after updating

Even though WordPress reports that the update completed successfully, your website still looks exactly the same. In most cases, the update itself was successful; the old version is simply being served from your browser, WordPress caching plugin, server cache, or CDN cache.

So, how can you fix this issue?

• Clear your browser cache and refresh the page.
• Purge any caching plugin you're using
• Clear your hosting server cache and CDN cache if applicable.

After all caches have been cleared, revisit your WordPress dashboard and confirm that the new version number is displayed under Dashboard > Updates or in the At a Glance section.

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What to Do After the WordPress Update Process?

Now your WordPress upgrade has been finished, it’s a good idea to browse around to make sure everything is in order.

First things first, go back to the Admin Dashboard and look under the At A Glance module. Your site is now supposed to be running on the latest version of WordPress.

Remember you disabled the caching before updating? It’s time to reactivate it! Also, you might want to take a look at your posts, media, and pages to make sure everything is well displayed.

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Extra Tips for Your WordPress Update

Our team has outlined two different approaches to your WordPress update. To help you smooth out the process even easier, keep these three extra tips in mind:

1. Check your current WordPress version

Before you upgrade WordPress, it's a good idea to quickly check the version currently running on your site. After all, if you're already using the latest version, there's no need for an update!

And fortunately, checking the WordPress version is simple. Here's what to do:

• Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
• Look for the “At a Glance” section in the top left corner of your dashboard. This area displays important site details, including your current WordPress version.
• If your site isn't up to date, you'll see a notification above this section prompting you to update.

But what if the “At a Glance” section isn't visible? No worries; you can still check your version! Just scroll down to the bottom of the dashboard, and you'll find the WordPress version listed in the footer.

2. Backup your WordPress site

Before updating your WordPress site, consider backing it up. This step is crucial since you can easily restore your site with minimal downtime if something goes wrong during the WordPress update!

Also, a good practice is to keep at least three copies of your backup in different places (e.g., CDs/DVDs, thumb drives, web disks, or even emails). That way, if one copy gets corrupted or damaged, you still have other backups to rely on and ensure the data stays safe.

Further Readings:

• How to Export WordPress Database by 5 Methods: A 2025 Guide
• How to Perform WordPress Import Database: A 2025 Tutorial

3. Avoid automatic updates for plugins

Lastly, we suggest avoiding the “Automatic update all plugins” button during the update. That's because these plugins might conflict with each other (especially if they offer similar functions) and end up causing issues on your site.

Instead, take the time to go through each plugin's changelog so you can see what's changing between versions. If you notice any major updates or changes, it's a good idea to back up your site first! Also, from our experience, updating plugins one by one makes it much easier to figure out which plugin is the problem, saving you from having to troubleshoot several at once.

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Bonus: Minor vs Major WordPress Updates: What's the Difference?

As mentioned above, not all WordPress updates are the same. Before clicking Update Now, you should understand whether you're installing a minor or major release, as each serves a different purpose and carries a different level of risk.

In general, you should install minor updates as soon as they're available, since they often include important security fixes and stability improvements with minimal risk.

On the other hand, for major updates, it's best to create a backup first and ensure your plugins and themes are compatible with the new release. If your website relies heavily on custom code or business-critical functionality, consider testing the update in a staging environment before deploying it to your live site.

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How to Update WordPress Website: FAQs

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Final Words

Our guide has outlined two different approaches of how to update WordPress website. With major and minor updates rolling out on a regular basis, WordPress only grows stronger over time and remains the most favored content management system globally to date!

Given such popularity, many eCommerce users undoubtedly want to migrate their websites to WordPress for sustainable growth. If you’re also considering this move, let LitExtension help you here! With over 12 years of experience and 200,000 satisfied customers across 100+ countries, we’re confident we can make your WordPress Update just as smooth and pleasant.

For more information, join our Facebook Community or schedule a call with us.