- \n
- Update WordPress manually FTP<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Use Command-Line Interface (CLI)<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Update manually in cPanel<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Work with LitExtension Experts\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Without further ado, let\u2019s get the ball rolling!<\/p>\n
\nWhy You Need A WordPress Update?<\/h2>\n
The most recent WordPress core update 2026 was \u00a0WordPress 7.0 “Armstrong”<\/a>, launched on May 20, 2026.<\/p>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image8.webp\" "\\"how")
Keeping track of WP\u00a0core update<\/span> ensures it stays secure and runs smoothly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n 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:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Major updates, which come out every 4 to 6 months, introduce big changes to the platform (usually brand-new functionalities).<\/li>\n
- Minor updates, on the other hand, focus mostly on fixing bugs and other small improvements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\n\nMigrate or Update WordPress Store?<\/h2>\n
LitExtension provides a well-optimized All-in-One migration service for your data transfer!<\/p>\n
FREE DEMO NOW<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-08-1.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nHow to Update WordPress Website in the Dashboad Automatically?<\/h2>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2026” button to start the process!<\/p>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image2.webp\" "\\"how")
You can also update WordPress automatically.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open the IIS Management Console, then find the application pool connected to your WordPress site.<\/li>\n
- In “Advanced Settings” (under “Process Model”), change the Identity to LocalSystem.<\/li>\n
- After that, go to “Sites,” locate your blog, right-click it, and choose “Edit Permissions”<\/li>\n
- In the Security tab, add “Authenticated Users.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Now, your WordPress update should occur automatically without asking for FTP credentials.<\/p>\n
\nHow to Update WordPress Website Manually FTP?<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Download the WordPress latest version<\/h3>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image3.webp\" "\\"how")
Step 1. Download the zip file of the latest version<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n First, go to the WordPress download page<\/a> and click “Download<\/strong>” to get the latest version as a ZIP file. Once downloaded, extract the archive to access the WordPress folder containing the updated core files.<\/p>\n
Step 2. Replace the WordPress core files<\/h3>\n
Here, launch an FTP client of your choice (though we highly recommend FileZilla), then connect to your website using your FTP credentials.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Delete the existing wp-admin and wp-includes folders from your server.<\/li>\n
- Upload the new wp-admin and wp-includes folders from the extracted WordPress package.<\/li>\n
- Open the new wp-content folder and upload only its individual files to your existing wp-content directory, overwriting files when prompted.<\/li>\n
- 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image5.webp\" "\\"how")
Step 2a. Select all files from the local “wordpress” folder, then right-click and choose “Upload.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n If your previous automatic update failed and your site is stuck in maintenance mode, delete the .maintenance<\/strong> file from your WordPress root directory before continuing.<\/p>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image7.webp\" "\\"how")
Step 2b. Select “Overwrite'” if prompted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Step 3. Finish your WordPress update<\/h3>\n
Once all files have been uploaded, visit your WordPress Admin Dashboard (\/wp-admin<\/strong>). If WordPress detects that your database needs updating, click “Upgrade WordPress Database” and follow the on-screen instructions.<\/p>\n
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!<\/p>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image4.webp\" "\\"how")
Step 3. Update WordPress database<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\nHow to Update WordPress Website using Command-Line Interface (CLI)?<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Check WP-CLI installation<\/h3>\n
First, you must ensure that WP-CLI is installed on your server. Many hosting providers include it in their setup. If it\u2019s not installed, follow the instructions on the WP-CLI website<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Access your server via SSH<\/h3>\n
To use WP-CLI, you\u2019ll 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 username@yourwebsite.com<\/p>\n
Once logged in, navigate to your WordPress installation directory: cd \/path\/to\/wordpress<\/p>\n
Step 3. Update WordPress core<\/h3>\n
Now, you can start updating WordPress. To update to the latest version, simply run: wp core update<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Alternatively, if you need a specific version of WordPress, specify the version like this: wp core update –version=6.3.1<\/p>\n
Step 4. Verify the update<\/h3>\n
After the update completes, it\u2019s always a good idea to confirm the installed version: wp core version<\/p>\n
This will display the version of WordPress currently running on your site.<\/p>\n
Step 5. Update plugins and themes<\/h3>\n
While you\u2019re at it, don't forget about updating WordPress plugins and themes as well. So, how to update WordPress plugins here?<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- For all plugins, run: wp plugin update –all<\/li>\n
- For themes, use: wp theme update –all<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
WP-CLI is particularly helpful for managing multiple WordPress sites or automating updates. It\u2019s quick and efficient, and it avoids the potential pitfalls of browser timeouts or UI errors.<\/p>\n
\nHow to Update WordPress Website Manually in cPanel?<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Log in to cPanel<\/h3>\n
Start by logging into your hosting provider\u2019s cPanel dashboard. Once inside, locate the File Manager tool, which you\u2019ll use to manage your WordPress installation files.<\/p>\n
Step 2. Enable automatic updates<\/h3>\n
To ensure WordPress updates itself automatically, you can make a small change to your site\u2019s configuration file:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Add the following line of code to enable automatic updates for all WordPress core releases: define(‘WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true);<\/p>\n
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');<\/p>\n
Then, save your changes and close the editor. Once this is set, WordPress will handle future updates automatically, saving you time and effort.<\/p>\n
Step 3. Perform a manual update (Optional)<\/h3>\n
If you\u2019d like to manually update WordPress via cPanel instead of waiting for automatic updates, here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org.<\/li>\n
- In cPanel, go to File Manager and upload the .zip file containing the latest WordPress version to your website\u2019s root directory.<\/li>\n
- Extract the contents of the .zip file, overwriting the existing core files. This process will not affect your existing content, themes, or plugins.<\/li>\n
- Visit your WordPress dashboard to confirm that the update was successful.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Important Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Updating WordPress this way may be quick, but it can impact your data and previous SEO results. Don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\nHow to Upgrade WordPress with LitExtension Experts<\/h2>\n
Our Personal Assistant will keep you up-to-date on every step of the WordPress update<\/a> process and take care of possible problems. Before going any further, here are the overall steps to help you visualize the process:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Step 1:<\/strong> Technical Consultation<\/li>\n
- Step 2:<\/strong> Target Cart Installation<\/li>\n
- Step 3:<\/strong> Migration Configuration<\/li>\n
- Step 4:<\/strong> Demo Migration<\/li>\n
- Step 5:<\/strong> Full Migration<\/li>\n
- Step 6:<\/strong> Migration Result Testing<\/li>\n
- Step 7:<\/strong> Successful Migration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1. Technical Consultation<\/h4>\n
To begin with, schedule a call <\/a><\/strong>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.<\/p>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Schedule-your-meeting-1.webp\" "\\"how")
Schedule your meeting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n 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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> to complete the payment.<\/p>\n
2. Target Store Installation<\/h4>\n
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.<\/p>\n
3. Migration Configuration<\/h4>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, we also provide Additional Options<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
![\"additional](\"https:\/\/litextension.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/additional-customization-requirement.webp\" "\\"additional")
Additional customization<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n 4. Demo Migration<\/h4>\n
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.<\/p>\n
5. Full Migration<\/h4>\n
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.<\/p>\n
6. Migration Result Testing<\/h4>\n
To ensure that everything goes smoothly, our experts will double-check your WordPress upgrade result by going through all the data beforehand.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Recent Data Migration:<\/a> <\/strong>this will move all new orders and consumers from your old business to your new store without disrupting service.<\/li>\n
- Re-Migration<\/a>:<\/strong> redo the update process in case it hasn't met your needs yet.<\/li>\n
- Smart Update<\/a>:<\/strong> this allows you to migrate new records into your Source Store and update existing entries that have already been migrated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Check out how our Recent Data Migration works in the video below:<\/p>\n
- Re-Migration<\/a>:<\/strong> redo the update process in case it hasn't met your needs yet.<\/li>\n
- Step 2:<\/strong> Target Cart Installation<\/li>\n
- Step 1:<\/strong> Technical Consultation<\/li>\n
- Use Command-Line Interface (CLI)<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n