“Stop Struggling with WordPress Plugin Updates: Here’s How to Undo Them Like a Pro!”
How to Revert Plugin Update in WordPress
As a WordPress user, you may have encountered situations where updating a plugin results in issues on your website. This could be due to conflicts with other plugins or themes, or it may cause errors that are hard to troubleshoot. Reverting plugin updates in WordPress can be frustrating, which is why we have created this guide to help you through the process.
Why Revert Plugin Update in WordPress?
Before we dive into the methods of reverting plugin updates, it’s essential to understand why you would want to do so. Here are the common reasons for downgrading a plugin version:
- Compatibility issues
- Bugs
- User interface changes
- Personal preference
Methods to Revert Plugin Update in WordPress
There are different methods to revert plugin updates in WordPress, depending on the situation at hand. Here are the methods you can use:
Method 1: Manually Reinstalling a Previous Version
If you are comfortable with FTP and can access your website’s file manager, you can revert the plugin by manually reinstalling the previous version. Here’s how:
- Search for the plugin you want to downgrade in the WordPress repository.
- Select the previous version you want to install and download the plugin’s zip file.
- Connect to your website’s file manager using an FTP client like FileZilla.
- Locate the directory where the plugin is installed, mostly found under /wp-content/plugins.
- Rename the plugin directory to deactivate it.
- Unzip the downloaded file and upload the previous version to the plugins directory.
- Rename the plugin’s directory name to its original name.
- Reactivate the plugin in the WordPress dashboard, and you should be back to the previous version.
Method 2: Use WP Rollback Plugin
If you are not comfortable with accessing your website’s file manager or FTP, you can use WP Rollback – a plugin that allows you to revert plugin updates with just a few clicks. Here’s how to go about it:
- Install and activate the WP Rollback plugin.
- Access the plugins page on your WordPress dashboard.
- Choose the plugin you want to revert and click on the ‘Rollback’ option below it.
- Select the version you want to roll back to
- Click the ‘Rollback’ button to confirm your selection.
- The Plugin Rollback feature will restore your previous version to your website.
Method 3: Use WP Downgrade Plugin
WP Downgrade is an alternative plugin to rollback your website to a previous version. It offers a simpler and straightforward approach than WP Rollback. Here’s how to do it:
- Install and activate the WP Downgrade plugin.
- Identify the plugin you want to downgrade and take note of its last working version.
- Access the plugins tab under the WordPress dashboard.
- Click on the ‘Select target version’ button.
- Input the version number you noted earlier and click the ‘Save’ button.
- The plugin will downgrade to your targeted version.
Method 4: Rollback Changes via Hosting Provider
If your host provider uses a cPanel and provides regular backups, you can restore your website to a previous version, including rolling back an updated plugin in a few steps. Here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your host provider’s cPanel.
- Look for the Files section and click on Backup Wizard.
- Click on the Restore button.
- Select the backup’s date and time that you want to restore.
- Select the directory where the plugin you want to downgrade is installed.
- Reactivate the plugin, and your website should be back to the previous version.
Wrap up
Reverting plugin updates in WordPress may sound complicated, but it is a straightforward process. Whichever method you choose, be sure to carefully follow the steps outlined to avoid mistakes that may cause further damage. Always remember to back up your website and database before executing any updates and to ask for help if you are not certain of what you are doing.