Need to roll back an update in WordPress?

The times you may need to roll back an update are when the new version is not compatible with other components. The functionality or design of your website has been broken.

First, let me say that it is always important to keep a website up to date. Security must come first but not all updates are about security. But, in the long run, you can’t use an old version because you will miss future security updates.

Methods to reverse an update

There are several ways to rollback I usually use wp cli, but that’s because I’m used to managing web pages via the command prompt. If you don’t have that experience or knowledge, choose one of the other methods.

Method 1 – backup

The easiest way is to load a backup, but sometimes the latest backup is a bit old and then you are rarely so keen on it. In addition, restoring a backup is usually a slow process. And when the website looks strange, you want to fix it quickly. But, if you have a backup, it’s definitely a viable option.

Read here how to make a backup

Method 2 – wp cli

WP CLI is an interface to wordpress that runs via ssh on your web host. This is the fastest and easiest way, but it requires that you know how to log in via ssh on your web host and that you are comfortable with the command prompt.

To install a specific version of a plugin, simply use the command below and specify which plugin and version you want installed and activated.

wp plugin install contact-form-7 --version=5.0.5 --activate --force

The same type of command exists for themes and wordpress.

Method 3 – the rollback plugin

There is an excellent version switching plugin, https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-rollback/. This allows you to change the version of a plugin or theme inside the WordPress admin panel.

The disadvantage of this method is that it is not at all certain that it is possible to roll back. Usually it is possible, but it is not certain that the developer of the plugin/theme has tested the rollback I have on occasion caused a lot of problems this way.

Therefore, it is always safest to have a backup! In that case, if it did not work with a rollback, you have to load the backup instead!