How To Update WordPress Manually Easily
There are two methods for updating - the easiest is the one-click update, which will work for most people. If it doesn't work, or you just prefer to be more hands-on, you can follow the manual update process.
You should always update WordPress to the latest version. When a new version of WordPress is available you will receive an update message in your WordPress Admin Screens. To update WordPress, click the link in this message
Back up WordPress
Before you get started, it's a good idea to back up your website. This means if there are any issues you can restore your website. Complete instructions to make a backup can be found in the WordPress Backups section of the Codex..
Automatic Background Updates
For WordPress 3.7+, you don’t have to lift a finger to apply minor and security updates. Most sites are now able to automatically apply these updates in the background. If your site is capable of one-click updates without entering FTP credentials, then your site should be able to update from 3.7 to 3.7.1, 3.7.2, etc. (You’ll still need to click “Update Now” for major feature releases.)
Manual Update
These are the short instructions, if you want more check out the extended upgrade instructions. If you experience problems with the Three Step Update, you may want to review the more detailed upgrade instructions
Step 1: Replace WordPress files
- Get the latest version of WordPress zip file
- Unpack the zip file that you downloaded
- Deactivate plugins
- Delete the wp-includes and wp-admin directories on your web host (through your FTP or shell access).
- Using FTP or your shell access, upload the wp-includes and wp-admin directories to your web host, in place of the previously deleted directories.
- Upload the individual files from the new wp-content folder to your existing wp-content folder, overwriting existing files. Do NOT delete your existing wp-content folder. Do NOT delete any files or folders in your existing
wp-content directory (except for the one being overwritten by new files).
wp-content directory (except for the one being overwritten by new files).