WordPress makes updating a website look deceptively simple. A new version of WordPress, a theme update, or a plugin release appears in the dashboard, and in many cases all it takes is one click to install it.
Most updates complete without any problems. But when something does go wrong, the consequences can range from a broken layout to an inaccessible website, plugin conflicts, missing functionality, or database errors.
That is why creating a backup before making significant changes should be part of routine WordPress maintenance rather than something you think about only after a problem occurs.
You do not necessarily need a complicated backup setup to get started. Even website owners managing a small site can use a free WordPress backup plugin to create an independent recovery copy before installing an important update.
The important part is making sure that the backup contains what you would actually need to restore the website if the update fails.
Why WordPress Updates Can Sometimes Break a Website
WordPress websites are rarely made up of WordPress alone.
A typical installation may contain:
- WordPress core
- A theme
- Multiple plugins
- Custom code
- Page builders
- Tracking scripts
- Ecommerce functionality
- Hosting-specific configuration
All of these components interact with one another.
An update can therefore introduce a problem even when there is nothing inherently wrong with the update itself. A plugin may depend on functionality that changed in a newer WordPress release. A theme may not yet be compatible with the latest version of a page builder. Two plugins may begin conflicting after one of them changes how a particular function works.
PHP versions, server configuration and custom modifications can add even more variables.
This is why “it worked before the update” is such a common WordPress troubleshooting scenario.
What Can Go Wrong During an Update?
Not every failed update results in a completely inaccessible website. Problems can appear in several different ways.
Plugin conflicts.
A newly updated plugin may conflict with another plugin or with the active theme.
The website may continue loading, but important functionality such as contact forms, checkout pages, search, navigation or login features may stop working correctly.
Theme problems.
Theme updates can introduce layout or compatibility issues, particularly on websites with extensive customisations.
Custom changes made directly to theme files can also be overwritten if they were not implemented through a child theme or another safe method.
WordPress core compatibility issues.
Major WordPress releases can include changes that affect older themes, plugins or custom functionality.
Developers usually have time to prepare their software for new releases, but websites running outdated or abandoned plugins can still encounter compatibility problems.
Interrupted updates.
An update can also fail because of a timeout, server resource limitation or interrupted connection.
If files are only partially replaced, WordPress may be left in an inconsistent state.
Database changes.
Some plugins update database tables or stored configuration as part of the update process.
This is particularly important because simply replacing plugin files with an older version may not reverse changes already made to the database.
A working backup therefore needs to protect more than just your WordPress files.
What Should a Pre-Update WordPress Backup Include?
For reliable recovery, a full WordPress backup should normally include both the website files and the WordPress database.
WordPress database.
The database contains much of the information that makes your website unique, including:
- Posts and pages
- User information
- Comments
- Website settings
- Plugin settings
- Menu configuration
- WooCommerce orders and customer data
- Other dynamic website content
A database backup is especially important for websites that change frequently.
WordPress files.
Your files include:
- Themes
- Plugins
- Media uploads
- Configuration files
- Custom code
- Other files required by the website
Backing up only the database is therefore not the same as creating a complete WordPress backup.
Likewise, saving only the files will not preserve all of the content and configuration stored in the database.
For full website recovery, you generally need both.
Why the Backup Location Matters
Creating a backup is only part of the process. Where that backup is stored matters too.
One common mistake is keeping the only backup copy on the same server as the live WordPress website.
This may help if you simply need to reverse a plugin update, but it creates a shared point of failure.
If the hosting account becomes inaccessible, the server experiences data loss, or the website is compromised, you may lose access to both the website and its backup.
For this reason, it is useful to keep at least one backup outside the live hosting environment.
This is commonly referred to as an offsite backup.
Offsite backups may be stored in dedicated cloud backup infrastructure.
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