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How to Forcefully Update Plugins in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

Keeping your WordPress plugins updated is crucial for maintaining site security, functionality, and performance. While WordPress typically makes updating plugins straightforward, there are instances where a plugin update may fail due to various reasons. This guide will take you through the steps to forcefully update plugins in WordPress, ensuring that your site remains current and secure.

Why Update Plugins?

Before diving into the tutorial, it’s essential to understand why keeping plugins updated is vital:

1. **Security**: Outdated plugins can expose your site to vulnerabilities. Regular updates often include security patches.
2. **Compatibility**: As WordPress evolves, older plugins may not function correctly with the latest version, causing potential site issues.
3. **New Features**: Updates may introduce new features and enhancements that improve your site’s functionality and user experience.

Step 1: Log into Your WordPress Dashboard

1. **Open Your Browser**: Start by launching your preferred web browser.
2. **Navigate to Login**: Go to your WordPress login page, typically found at `yourdomain.com/wp-admin`.
3. **Enter Your Credentials**: Input your username and password, then click the “Log In” button to access your dashboard.

Step 2: Check for Available Updates

1. **Locate the Dashboard Updates Section**: In the left sidebar, look for the **Dashboard** option. Under it, click on **Updates**.
2. **View Plugin Updates**: Scroll down to the **Plugins** section. Here, you will see a list of plugins that require updating.

Step 3: Attempt a Standard Update

1. **Select Plugins**: Check the box next to the plugins you wish to update.
2. **Click Update Plugins**: If you haven’t done so already, click the **Update Plugins** button to initiate the standard update process.
3. **Verify Success**: Once the update completes, verify that the plugins are functioning correctly.

Step 4: Forcefully Update Plugins Manually

If the standard update fails, you can force an update manually:

Method 1: Using the WordPress Dashboard

1. **Deactivate the Plugin**: Navigate back to **Plugins** in the left sidebar. Find the plugin you want to update, hover over it, and click **Deactivate**.
2. **Delete the Plugin**: After deactivation, click **Delete** to remove the plugin from your site.
3. **Reinstall the Plugin**: Go to **Plugins > Add New**. Search for the plugin by name and click **Install Now**. After installation, click **Activate**.

Method 2: Using FTP or File Manager

If the manual update via the dashboard doesn’t work, you can use FTP:

1. **Download the Latest Plugin Version**: Go to the plugin’s page in the WordPress Plugin Directory or the developer’s website and download the latest version (usually in ZIP format).
2. **Connect to Your Site via FTP**: Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to connect to your web server. You will need your FTP credentials, usually provided by your hosting provider.
3. **Navigate to the Plugins Directory**: In your FTP client, navigate to `/wp-content/plugins/`.
4. **Locate the Existing Plugin Folder**: Find the folder for the plugin you want to update and delete it.
5. **Upload the New Version**: Extract the ZIP file you downloaded earlier and upload the new plugin folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory.
6. **Activate the Plugin**: Return to your WordPress dashboard, go to the **Plugins** section, and activate the updated plugin.

Step 5: Verify Plugin Functionality

1. **Check Your Site**: After updating, navigate your site to ensure the plugin is functioning as expected.
2. **Review Settings**: If the plugin has specific settings, review them to ensure they haven’t reverted to defaults.

Best Practices for Plugin Management

1. **Regular Updates**: Set a schedule to regularly check for plugin updates. Keeping your plugins up to date is vital for security.
2. **Backup Your Site**: Before making significant changes, including updates, always back up your site. This ensures you can restore it if anything goes wrong.
3. **Limit Plugin Usage**: Only use essential plugins. Too many plugins can slow down your site and increase the risk of conflicts.
4. **Monitor Performance**: After updating plugins, monitor your site’s performance to ensure it remains fast and responsive.
5. **Read Change Logs**: Before updating, read the plugin’s change log to understand what changes are being made. This can help anticipate any issues.
6. **Use Quality Plugins**: Choose plugins from reputable sources. High-quality plugins are more likely to be regularly updated and well-supported.

Conclusion

Forcefully updating plugins in WordPress can seem daunting, but following this guide will make the process smooth and manageable. By keeping your plugins up to date, you ensure your site remains secure and functional. Regularly review your plugins and follow best practices to maintain an optimised WordPress experience.

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