Manual WordPress update (version 3/4 to 5.7.2)

Instructions: Manual WordPress update (version 3/4 to 5.7.2)

The WordPress software has had an integrated update function for a long time. Nevertheless, it happens that an automatic WordPress update is not possible. Because some providers also offer customized versions in which the update function has been removed – as in my case.

For the first time I installed version 3.1.4 of my blog via the Strato assistant in the customer area – there is no update function in the WordPress software. The allegedly integrated upgrade function does not work either. Strato’s help is misleading, I should use the integrated update function – or carry out the upgrade in the customer login. But I was only offered the new installation. Therefore, I carried out the update manually, as explained here step by step.

Instructions: Perform WordPress update manually

1. Backup: Back up files and database

• Create a backup of your WordPress database. I use the WordPress Database Backup plugin for this.
• Perform a full backup of the WordPress files on the server using an FTP program such as Transmit (Mac OS X), FileZilla (Mac OS X, Windows) or a browser addon like FireFTP (Firefox).
• The most important folders are “wp-admin”, “wp-content” and “wp-includes”.

2. Disable WordPress plugins

• Log into the WordPress admin area (e.g. www.DEINEDOMAIN.de/blog/wp-admin/).
• Now switch to the Plugins tab and disable all WordPress plugins.
• Then log out of the WordPress admin area (top right).

3. Download the latest WordPress version

• Download the latest WordPress version: http://wpde.org/download/
• Then unpack the downloaded ZIP archive into a folder.

4. Delete the WordPress files on the FTP server

• Connect to your server using an FTP program.
• delete now the folderswp-admin” and “wp-includes‘ from the WordPress installation directory.
• and delete also the WordPress files how “wp-cron.php“, “wp-login.php” Etc.
• Important: Do not delete the file “wp-config.php’ (configuration and database settings for WordPress) and ‘.htaccess“ (includes settings for your web server such as rewrites).

5. Upload current WordPress version

• Now load the folders ” from the folder with the unzipped files of the current WordPress versionwp-admin” and “wp-includes” to the FTP server.
• so also transfer all files from the WordPress root directory. Important: Do not load the file named “config.php“ on the FTP server, otherwise all important access data will be overwritten and WordPress can no longer connect to the database. The existing .htaccess file must also not be overwritten or replaced.

6. Final Steps for Manual WordPress Update

• Now call up the address http://www.DEINEDOMAIN.de/blog/wp-admin/upgrade.php in your browser – adjust the URL if necessary.
• Log into the WordPress admin area
• Then follow the instructions on the screen – I now saw the message/action “Update the WordPress database”.
• WordPress is now up to date!
• In order for all plugins to run again, you should activate them all again.
• Sometimes you will now be offered updates to the plugins, install them.
• If certain plugins no longer work properly, it is better to deactivate them.
• That’s it – done!