How to Update WordPress Plugins

In the world of WordPress, plugins are like secret sauce ingredients—they add flavor, functionality, and finesse to your website. From SEO boosters to contact forms, they help your site work smarter, not harder. But here’s the catch: if you don’t keep them updated, that same secret sauce can quickly turn sour.

So, whether you’re managing a blog, an online store, or a full-fledged business site, knowing how to update WordPress plugins the right way is crucial—not just for performance, but for peace of mind.

Let’s break down the safe, smart, and slightly humorous way to do it.

Why Updating Plugins Matters More Than You Think

Think of WordPress plugins like smartphone apps. Would you keep using an outdated version of your banking app? Of course not. The same logic applies to plugins. Updates not only introduce new features but also patch security holes and fix bugs.

Failing to update them can lead to:

• Security vulnerabilities
• Website crashes or weird errors
• Poor compatibility with WordPress core updates
• Missing out on helpful features

In other words, don’t wait until your website starts acting like it’s possessed. Update your plugins before it turns into a haunted homepage.

Before You Update: A Pre-Flight Checklist

Now, before you rush off clicking “Update Now” like it’s Black Friday, pause. Updating without preparation can break your site faster than you can say “error 500.”

Here’s your safety checklist:

• Backup your site – This is your digital insurance policy. Use plugins like Duplicator or UpdraftPlus to make backups painless.
• Review the changelog – Those tiny update notes tell you if it’s a minor tweak or a full makeover.
• Wait a few days – For non-critical updates, give developers time to squash unexpected bugs.
• Use a staging site – Test updates in a safe sandbox environment, especially if you run an eCommerce or high-traffic site.

Remember: updating blindly is like changing a car engine while driving on the freeway. Not a great idea.

How to Update WordPress Plugins Manually (The Safe Way)

Once you’ve backed up and checked the changelog, here’s how to update WordPress plugins manually:

1. Go to Dashboard → Updates in your WordPress admin.
2. Find the list of plugins that need updating.
3. Click “Update Plugins” or go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
4. Click “Update Now” under each plugin—one at a time.

Why one at a time? Because if something goes wrong, you’ll know exactly which plugin caused it. It’s the digital version of not putting all your eggs in one basket.

How to Update Plugins in Bulk (If You’re Feeling Brave)

Bulk updates are tempting—especially if you’re short on time—but they come with risks. If something breaks, you won’t know which plugin is the culprit.

Still want to go the fast route? Here’s how:

1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins → Update Available.
2. Select the plugins you want to update.
3. Choose Bulk Actions → Update, then click Apply.

Pro tip: only bulk-update plugins you fully trust. If your site is mission-critical, stick to manual updates.

Uh-Oh, Something Broke! Here’s How to Undo a Plugin Update

Even the best updates can go rogue. Maybe a feature vanished or your homepage layout crumbled.

If that happens:

1. Deactivate the problematic plugin via the admin dashboard.
2. Install the WP Rollback plugin to revert to a previous version.
3. If you can’t access the dashboard at all, use FTP or your hosting panel to deactivate the plugin.

WP Rollback is your site’s time machine—without the complicated physics.

Automating Plugin Updates: A Blessing (If Done Right)

Updating plugins manually every week? That’s a one-way ticket to burnout. If you want to save time, WordPress now allows you to automate plugin updates.

From the Dashboard (WordPress 5.5 and up):

• Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
• Click “Enable Auto-updates” next to the plugins you trust.
• Want to do it in bulk? Select multiple plugins and apply the bulk auto-update action.

Using Code (for Developers and Brave Souls):

Add this to your functions.php file or use the WPCode plugin:

add_filter( ‘auto_update_plugin’, ‘__return_true’ );

Using Plugins Like Easy Updates Manager:

Install the Easy Updates Manager plugin to:

• Enable or disable plugin, theme, and core updates
• Schedule updates
• Get update logs and rollback options

Automation is wonderful—until it isn’t. So be selective about what gets updated automatically.

Long-Term Plugin Management Tips

To keep your WordPress site running like a well-oiled machine:

• Set up automated backups (daily or weekly)
• Enable notifications to know when plugins update
• Avoid auto-updating mission-critical plugins like WooCommerce or page builders
• Test updates on staging sites first if possible

If all this sounds like too much, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Plenty of site owners hand off plugin management to the pros—because stressing over updates shouldn’t be part of your job description.

Conclusion: Update Smart, Not Hard

Learning how to update WordPress plugins is one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do for your website’s health and security. Just like you wouldn’t leave your car unlocked in a sketchy neighborhood, you shouldn’t leave your plugins outdated and exposed.

Back up. Update one at a time. Automate smartly. And if it still feels overwhelming?

Let Us Handle It For You

As a leading Digital Marketing Company in Chandigarh, we don’t just build websites—we maintain them like they’re our own. From regular plugin updates to complete site security and optimization, we ensure your WordPress website runs fast, safe, and worry-free.

Need expert help? Let us take plugin updates off your plate—so you can focus on growing your business, not fixing broken buttons.