How To Update WordPress Themes

Learn how to easily update WordPress themes inside your dashboard …

Theme Management: How To Upgrade Themes In WordPressIf you are new to WordPress, make sure to read our introduction to WordPress themes. The comprehensive article explains what themes are and how themes can be cost-effective and time-saving for website owners.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to easily update your themes to the latest version inside the dashboard.

Upgrading WordPress Themes – Best Practices

Upgrading Themes - Best Practices Checklist

We recommend going through the “best practices” checklist below before attempting the upgrade process, to ensure that no theme settings or customizations are lost and that your update goes smoothly.

1. Back Up Everything

Backing up your site before making any changes to your site is vital. This way, if something goes wrong, you can always restore things back to their previous configuration.

If you don’t want to perform manual backups, there are a number of WordPress plugins you can use. You can read about a WordPress backup plugin that can automate your backup process here:

2. Check The Changelog

When WordPress upgrades its software to a new version, this can affect the functionality of certain themes. Depending on the theme you are using, there may be a changelog file accompanying an update which provides an overview of any new features, improvements, bug fixes or any other changes in the new theme version.

If the theme changes seem irrelevant or unimportant, you can skip the update. Otherwise, you should update.

3. Test The Theme

If you can, it’s a good idea to check the theme before installing it on your site.

Tip

Typically, web service providers will set up a test site where they can test the latest version of the theme, track any bugs and check if the new theme version doesn’t conflict with any existing plugins or settings before applying it to a live site.

If you manage your own website, you can set up a test WordPress site on a subdomain or a separate domain name using the same configuration settings (e.g. plugins) and test new theme versions on your test site before applying it to your main site.

4. Search Online

Before updating your theme, it’s a good idea to search online to see if anyone has reported any serious problems with the new theme version.

You can enter the theme name and version into Google, and search the theme developer’s support forum (many developers offer this for paid WordPress themes, and even for some free plugins).

5. Use Child Themes For Heavily Customized Themes

If you have made extensive changes to your existing WordPress theme files, upgrading your theme may result in your custom modifications being overwritten. To prevent losing your theme modifications, therefore, we recommend you learn how to create “child themes”.

A WordPress child theme is a theme that inherits the functionality of another theme, called the parent theme, and allows you to modify, or add to, the functionality of that parent theme. When you update the “parent theme”, your customizations are preserved through the “child theme.”

If you plan to customize your theme files, then we recommend becoming familiar with child themes, especially if you plan to use a theme that gets regularly updated. You can learn more about child themes by searching online, or visit the WordPress Codex child theme page here:

Tip

As you will see below, the actual process of updating a WordPress theme is very easy. What can feel slightly bothersome is the preparation involved prior to upgrading.

Many people don’t upgrade their WordPress themes regularly, while many upgrade without going through some or all of the steps listed in the section above. As mentioned earlier, the above are recommended “best practice” methods to help you avoid problems. Ultimately, it is solely your responsibility as a website owner to protect your digital properties.

Updating Themes In WordPress – Step-By-Step Tutorial

Updating your WordPress themes in your dashboard is simple.

Log into your WordPress admin area …

WordPress Theme Management: How To Upgrade Your Themes

Depending on the theme(s) you have installed on your website, you may receive an occasional notification in your WordPress Dashboard that your theme(s) need updating …

Upgrading Your Themes

Updating WordPress themes from your dashboard is a simple process. You can update your site’s theme via the “Themes” area, or the “Updates” area.

Updating Your Site Themes Using The “Themes” Page

You can see which themes need to be updated by going to your Themes area.

Choose Appearance > Themes from your WordPress dashboard menu …

Upgrading Your Theme

This opens up the “Themes” page …

Upgrading Your Theme

Themes that need updating display an “Update Available” message over their thumbnail image …

How To Upgrade Your WP Theme

Locate the theme you want to update and click on the “Update Available” notice.

When the theme details window opens up, click on update now

Upgrading A Theme In WordPress

WordPress automatically updates the theme in seconds …

WordPress Theme Management: How To Update WordPress Theme From Your Admin Dashboard

Your WordPress theme is now updated …

WordPress Theme Management: Updating Your Theme

Repeat the above to update all of your outdated themes, or use the method below to bulk update multiple themes at once.

Updating Your Theme Via The “Updates” Section

Update your WordPress themes via the “Updates” section as follows:

To view all themes installed on your website that need updating, click on Dashboard > Updates

Updating Your Theme

This brings up the Updates screen. Scroll down to the Themes section …

Upgrading Your Themes

Select all the themes you want to update and click on Update Themes to complete the bulk upgrade process …

Upgrading Your WordPress Theme

WordPress automatically updates all of your selected themes …

Upgrading A Theme In WordPress

Congratulations! Now you know how to upgrade your WordPress theme in your admin dashboard.

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Originally published as How To Update WordPress Themes.