Flash Sale:75% Off Hosting + Free DomainEnds in13h47m14sView Plans
Hostvento logoHostvento
Get Started

Go Back to an Older WordPress Version

This guide shows you how to downgrade WordPress, which means to go back to an older version.

WordPress2 min read18 steps5 screenshots

Why would you downgrade?

Sometimes an update breaks a plugin or a theme. Your site may look wrong or stop working. Going back to the older version can fix this for a while. Plan to update again once your plugins and theme are ready, because old versions may have security holes.

Warning: This can break your site or lose data. Take a full backup of your files and your database first. A database is where WordPress stores your posts and settings. If you can, test on a copy of the site.

Method 1: Use a plugin

A plugin is a small add-on program for WordPress. A plugin such as "WP Downgrade" can do the job.

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Click Plugins, then Add New.
  3. Search for "WP Downgrade".
  4. Click Install Now, then Activate.
  5. Open the plugin's settings page. It is under Settings.
    Screenshot: Open the plugin's settings page. It is under Settings .
  6. Type the version number you want, such as 6.4.3.
    Screenshot: Type the version number you want, such as 6.4.3 .
  7. Save the settings.
  8. Click Dashboard, then Updates.
  9. Click Re-install version.

Method 2: Do it by hand

You need FTP or the File Manager. FTP is a way to move files between your computer and your hosting account. Your details are in your welcome email.

  1. Download the older version as a ZIP file from the official WordPress release archive.
  2. Unzip it on your computer.
  3. Delete the wp-content folder from the unzipped files. This keeps your own themes, plugins and uploads safe.
  4. Delete the wp-config.php file from the unzipped files if it is there.
  5. Connect to your site with FTP.
    Screenshot: Connect to your site with FTP.
  6. Upload the remaining files and folders to your site folder.
  7. When asked, choose to overwrite the old files.
    Screenshot: When asked, choose to overwrite the old files.
  8. Open yourdomain.com/wp-admin in your browser.
  9. If a database message shows, click the update button and follow the screen.

Do not touch the wp-content folder. It holds your own content.

Stop auto updates

WordPress may update itself again. To stop this, open wp-config.php and add this line above the text "That's all, stop editing".

define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false);

This tells WordPress not to update its core files by itself.

Screenshot: This tells WordPress not to update its core files by itself.

Quick recap

  • Downgrade only if an update broke something.
  • Back up files and database first.
  • Use a plugin for the easy way, or upload old files by hand.
  • Do not replace the wp-content folder.
  • Update again when you can.