Updating WordPress and its components (Plugins, Themes) from the WordPress Dashboard
Important: Use this procedure if you have installed WordPress from scratch on your HIS hosting account.
Wordpress and its Theme and Plugins need to be kept updated as vulnerabilities are discovered on a regular basis, and hackers are scanning the internet for vulnerable web sites to exploit.
You will fin a good write up about Upgrading WordPress on the WordPress Codex:
https://codex.wordpress.org/Upgrading_WordPress_-_Extended_Instructions
Here the procedure we recommend for Updating WordPress and its components (Plugins, Themes) from the WordPress Dashboard.
It is best to pick a time when the web site activity is low and allow plenty of time to do it.
A- Login to your Plesk Control Panel
Using the Control Panel Administrator login information provided when the account was created.
The panel address is at https://psaXXX.his.com:8443/
The exact server name was provided when your account was created.
Once logged-in, you will see the Websites & Domains page of your Panel.
There is always a risk that some plugins incompatibilities might break the site so the first step is:
B- Make a backup of your web site
-
Click on Backup Manager, then click Back Up to create a new backup.
-
Check Backup -- Domain configuration and content-> All configuration and content except mail
-
If you don't mind your web site being offline for a the time of the backup,
Check the option "Suspend the domain until the backup task is completed". -
Click OK to proceed with the Backup
-
Wait until the backup is complete.
It may take several minutes depending of the size of your web site.
Once the Backup is done, you will see it in the local repository. You can then proceed with Upgrading Wordpress
C- Upgrading WordPress
-
Go to the WordPress Admin Login page, usually http://domain.com/wp-login.php
-
Login using the WordPress Admin username and password.
If updates are available for the Wordpress you will see a banner at the top of your WordPress Administrator page.
- Review the list of Plugins and Themes and remove the inactive ones as they can be hacked.
- Deactivate ALL your plugins
Ensure these first steps are completed. Do not attempt the upgrade unless you have completed the previous steps.
- Update in this order, checking after each part is updated that the web site is still working:
- Wordpress
- Theme
- Plugins (Update them one-by-one, checking the web site after each one).
D- Check how your Updated Site is Working.
Go back to your web site page and go through a few pages, and test the forms to make sure they are working as expected.
E- Backup your Updated site to have a fresh copy in case you need it.
-
Go back to your Plesk Panel Websites & Domains page.
-
Click on Backup Manager, then click Back Up to create a new backup.
-
Check Backup -- Domain configuration and content-> All configuration and content except mail
If you don't mind your web site being offline for a the time of the backup:
-Check Suspend the domain until the backup task is completed.
-
Click OK to proceed with the Backup
-
Wait until the backup is complete.
It may take several minutes depending of the size of your web site.
Once the Backup is done, you will see it in the local repository.
