Should i update wordpress core or plugins first

Which do i update first, WordPress core or plugins? If the plugins are from the same company, Automattic Inc, you can update either one first, else we recommend update WordPress core first.

Automattic Inc own WordPress.

Other plugins contribute by Automattic Inc:

Long list, pretty cool right? This giant company also contribute to other open source projects, for example

Table of Contents

Why update WordPress core first?

WordPress core is the foundation of your website. If not up to date, you are opening a door to hackers or malware. WordPress is an open source CMS. You have freedom to modify the core files. The disadvantages of open source is everyone can see the source codes and some funny people may try to hack this CMS. That’s why WordPress team keep on updating the core files to make it secure.

Whenever WordPress release a major update, WordPress plugins author will follow, tweak the plugin and release a compatible version.

If WordPress is the king of blogging CMS, plugins are the coffee shops.

Major WordPress core update, you will get a warning message in dashboard to ask you backup your website first. If you do not see that message, the update is minor.

What should i do before upgrade WordPress core?

We always recommend take a full backup first. You can use UpdraftPlus

How often should you update wordpress plugins?

If the plugins are from automattic, you should update immediately.

WordPress 5.5 and above, you can tick then Enable auto-updates link next to each plugin if you want to automatically update plugin whenever the plugin have new version. I strongly enable auto-updates for all plugins contributed by automattic.

How often should you update wordpress plugins

Other paid plugins, we also recommend you put your API key to enable auto-update. Paid plugin developers earn big cash from their plugins. They will do the job really well. Sometimes the update is to give you some extra functions.

How about free plugins? If the plugin have more than 100k downloads, i will also update as soon as possible. Not popular plugins, i will wait.

Is it safe to update WordPress plugins?

Well-known plugins, yes. Rare plugins, sometimes after update, your website may crash. Please make sure you read the changelog file first and then decide from there.

How often should you update wordpress core?

We recommend update as soon as possible to ensure your website protected. If your website use not popular plugins and you are worry about compatibility, please use the following code into your wp-config.php. This will only enable minor WordPress core update

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', 'minor' );

If you are confidence your chosen plugin author did a good job and want to enable minor and major update, you can use the following code.

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true );

You can also do this in your dashboard, /wp-admin/update-core.php

If you click switch to automatic updates for maintenance and security only, your WordPress website will only receive automatic security and maintenance releases update only, not new version of WordPress updates

Is it recommended to update plugins first or themes in wordpress?

Plugin first. Plugin is an “add on” tool to add the extra functions that you need to your website while theme only control the layout.

WordPress core upgrade will not break your theme. If your theme already break, you will immediately upgrade the theme and won’t ask should i update theme first or theme, right?

Just imagine it this way. When you go to fishing, fishing rod is important or clothes?

Bonus:

Type /wp-admin/site-health.php at the end of your domain, you will see this.

If you have inactive plugins, we recommend you delete them.