Have you ever felt like WordPress is the love-hate relationship of your life? On the one hand, it’s a powerful tool that lets you easily create stunning websites. On the other hand, it can sometimes feel like a never-ending headache, especially when updating your theme. But fear not, my friend! With patience and know-how, updating your WordPress theme can be a breeze. So let’s take a deep breath and get ready to tackle the most straightforward WordPress Theme update guide!
Step 0 – Install WP Rollback in case something breaks
We all know that feeling of nervousness before making any significant change to our website. What if something goes wrong? Will our entire website crumble and disappear into the abyss? Fear not, my friend! Taking a backup of your website is like having a safety net, so you can always return to a previous version if needed. And in the case of updating your WordPress theme, it’s a must-do step before hitting that update button.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Check the current version of your WordPress theme and write it down.
- Install the WP Rollback plugin from the WordPress repository.
- Go to the “Plugins” section in your WordPress dashboard and activate the WP Rollback plugin.
- Done!
Bonus tips: It’s always a good idea to back up your website before making any significant changes, even if you use a plugin like WP Rollback to revert to a previous version.
Step 1 – Update Your WordPress Theme from WP-Admin
The moment has finally arrived! It’s time to update your WordPress theme and bask in its latest and greatest features. But before you hit that update button, make sure you’ve taken a backup of your site (just in case!). And now, it’s time for the main event. Get ready to experience the thrill of updating your theme from the comfort of your own WordPress dashboard. Hold onto your hats, folks, because this is their easiest step. All you have to do is push a button and wait… but boy, can that wait feel like an eternity!
Step 2 – Testing the Updated Theme
After updating your WordPress theme, thoroughly testing your website’s new version is essential. Check all pages and posts for design or functional issues, and ensure that all your plugins and customizations are still working as expected. It’s a good idea to test your website on different devices and browsers to ensure it’s fully compatible. If everything looks good, you’re ready to enjoy your new theme’s latest and greatest features.
Step 3 – You did it!
It is done! Your website is running the latest theme version, and everything is working smoothly. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy your life. Until the next update is due, of course.
Alternative Step 3 – IT BROKE
Oh no! Your website has broken after updating your theme. Don’t worry; you’re one step ahead of the game by installing WP Rollback and writing down the previous theme version. All you need to do is open WP Rollback and select the previous version of your theme. Within minutes, your website will return to its old, familiar, and functioning self.
- Go to your WordPress dashboard’s “Plugins” section and select “Rollback”
- Select the desired theme version you want to revert to.
- Click “Rollback” to restore the previous theme version.
- Once the Rollback is complete, test your website to ensure everything is working correctly.
Well done for being prepared and taking the necessary precautions.
Alternative Step 1- Update Your WordPress Theme with FTP
Updating your WordPress theme directly from your server can be an excellent option for those who prefer the hands-on approach. It’s more tech involved than updating from the WordPress dashboard, but it’s still pretty straightforward.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for updating your WordPress theme from the server using FTP:
- Connect to your website’s server using an FTP client such as FileZilla.
- Navigate to the “wp-content/themes” folder within your WordPress installation.
- Download a backup of your current theme to your local computer.
- Change the name on the old theme folder from your server’s “wp-content/themes” directory. The name can be whatever you want.
- Upload the new theme folder to your server’s “wp-content/themes” directory.
- Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to “Appearance > Themes” to verify that the new theme is now available.
- Activate the new theme by clicking on its thumbnail and the “Activate” button.
- Test your website to make sure everything is working as expected.
Note: If something isn’t working, you can delete the newly uploaded ones and change the name on the old theme folder.
And there you have it, a step-by-step guide on updating your WordPress theme. From the excitement of updating to the thrill of a successfully functioning website. But now, you’re armed with the knowledge and skills to confidently tackle future theme updates. So, go forth and update your themes, my friend! And remember, always have WP Rollback on hand and keep a written record of your previous theme version, just in case.