A Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Updating WordPress Plugins Using FTP

Dealing with a failed automatic plugin update on your WordPress site can be incredibly frustrating. However, there is an effective alternative: updating plugins manually using FTP. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to update your plugins manually without causing any harm to your website.

Why Choose Manual Plugin Updates?

While WordPress offers an automatic update system for core software, themes, and plugins, there are instances where these updates may fail. This can happen due to various reasons, such as incorrect file permissions, version number mismatches, or server configuration issues. When an update fails, you may experience errors like a broken site, a “briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance” error, a syntax error, or an internal server error.

By manually updating WordPress plugins using FTP, you can resolve these errors and seamlessly use the latest plugin version. Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Get the Latest Plugin Version

To begin, you need to download the most recent version of the plugin you want to update. If it’s a free plugin, head to the WordPress.org plugin page. For premium plugins, visit the respective plugin’s website, log in to your account, and download the latest version to your computer. Make sure to extract the files as they will be in .zip format.

Step 2: Install an FTP Client

You’ll need an FTP client to establish a connection with your website via FTP. While FileZilla is used as an example in this guide, you can choose any FTP client you prefer. Install the FTP client on your computer and launch it.

Step 3: Connect to Your Website Through FTP

Launch the FTP client and enter your website’s name in the hostname field. Provide your FTP username and password as well. If you don’t have these details, refer to the email your WordPress hosting company sent you when you signed up. Alternatively, you can find the credentials in your hosting account dashboard or cPanel. For example, if you’re using Bluehost, log in to your hosting dashboard and access Advanced » FTP Accounts.

Step 4: Navigate to the Plugins Folder

Once connected to your website via FTP, you’ll need to navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/ folder. Inside, you’ll find several folders, each representing a plugin installed on your WordPress site.

Step 5: Rename the Plugin Folder

Identify the folder of the plugin you wish to update, right-click on it, and choose the ‘Rename’ option. Add the suffix “-old” to the folder’s name. For example, transform “wpforms” into “wpforms-old”. By renaming the folder, you’re creating a backup of the previous version.

Step 6: Download and Remove the Old Plugin

Download the renamed folder containing the old version of the plugin to your computer as a backup. After successfully downloading it, you can proceed to delete the old plugin from your website. Also, remember to deactivate the plugin in the WordPress database by logging into your WordPress admin area and accessing the plugins page.

Step 7: Install the Latest Plugin Version

Go back to your FTP client and locate the new plugin folder on your computer in the ‘Local’ section. Right-click on the folder and select ‘Upload’ from the FTP menu. Allow the FTP client to transfer the plugin folder from your computer to your website.

Step 8: Enable the Plugin

Once the upload is complete, log in to your WordPress admin area and go to the Plugins page. Find the newly installed plugin and click ‘Activate’ to enable it. Verify that the updated version of the plugin is working correctly.

Congratulations! You have successfully updated a WordPress plugin manually via FTP. Always remember that using the latest versions of WordPress, plugins, and themes is crucial for website security. If a plugin fails to work correctly after an update, you can revert to the previous version and report the issue to the plugin developer. However, it’s recommended to use up-to-date versions for optimal performance and security.

We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights on how to manually update WordPress plugins using FTP. For more WordPress tips and tutorials, subscribe to our YouTube Channel or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you encounter any common WordPress errors, refer to our list of troubleshooting solutions.