JQuery and WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide to Updating

JQuery is a well-known and widely used JavaScript library that makes HTML DOM traversal and manipulation, event handling, as well as Ajax a breeze. WordPress websites are not an exception since they come preloaded with the most recent version that corresponds to WordPress core updates. However, sometimes a theme or plugin may require a newer version of JQuery. So, the question is, how can you update JQuery in WordPress?

Step 1: Check the Current Version of JQuery

Before you update JQuery in WordPress, you need to determine the version currently in use by your WordPress site. This will help you understand if an update is necessary in the first place. To check which version of JQuery your WordPress site is using, open up the developer console on your browser. Once you have done this, click on the “Console” tab and paste the following command:

“`javascript
jQuery.fn.jquery;
“`

If the version you see is older than the latest JQuery release, then it’s time to update the JQuery version in your WordPress site.

Step 2: Backup Your WordPress Site

Remember that updating your WordPress site is risky, so backing it up is a vital pre-caution. This way, you’ll have a copy that you can always restore if something goes wrong in the process of updating your JQuery. There are several backup plugins you can use on WordPress like UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, or BackupBuddy.

Step 3: Search Your Theme or Plugin for Compatibility

You may find that a theme or plugin you’re currently using is not compatible with a newer version of JQuery. Therefore, it’s critical to check compatibility with the updated version of JQuery and your current theme or plugins before making any updates. If they’re not compatible, issues may arise on your site. For example, a plugin using an older version of JQuery could conflict with the latest version that you intend to install. If this occurs, you may have to switch to a different plugin that uses the most recent JQuery version.

Step 4: Replace WordPress Default JQuery with The Latest Version

Once you’ve completed the necessary preliminary steps, the next step is updating the JQuery version on your WordPress site. The easiest way to get started is to use a single command on your WordPress installation’s functions.php file. Go to your WordPress installation’s “wp-content/themes” directory and select the theme in use. Inside the theme folder, locate the functions.php file and open it using a text editor. Then add the following code to the top section before any PHP tag:

“`PHP
if(!is_admin()) {
add_action(“wp_enqueue_scripts”, function () {
wp_deregister_script(“jquery”);
wp_enqueue_script(“jquery”, “https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.6.0/jquery.min.js”, array(), null, false);
}, 11);
}
“`

This code will remove the pre-installed version of JQuery on WordPress and install the latest Google-hosted version of JQuery. Note that the new Google-hosted version of JQuery will be pulled from an external website, and your device needs to be connected to the internet for the update to take effect.

Step 5: Verify Your JQuery Update

After updating JQuery in WordPress, you need to make sure that it’s working correctly. To verify the update, go back to the developer console and paste the below command:

“`javascript
jQuery.fn.jquery;
“`

Press “Enter” to confirm that the JQuery version has updated to the newest release. Then, check if all the different functions on your site are still running correctly. Navigate through the site, hover over buttons, and click links to confirm that everything is running seamlessly.

Step 6: Test Your Site for Compatibility

It is crucial to test your website thoroughly to confirm that all the third-party themes and plugins are compatible with the new JQuery version. If there are compatibility issues, disable your plugins and activate them one by one to pinpoint the source of the problem. If compatibility issues persist, try using the jQuery Migrate plugin to resolve the problem temporarily while searching for a long-lasting solution.

Conclusion

Updating JQuery on WordPress is an easy but necessary task that can significantly enhance the performance of your site. Remember to take all the necessary precautions, such as backing up your site and testing compatibility, to avoid damaging your site and ensure everything runs smoothly. Follow these six simple steps, and you’ll have the latest version of JQuery installed on your WordPress site, making it even more modern, faster, and more user-friendly.