you’ve got a website built with WordPress and you’re excited about updates because they bring new features and improvements right? But what happens when a new version throws a wrench into your carefully crafted website? Maybe a theme or plugin doesn’t play nice with the new update or you’re suddenly staring at a bunch of broken elements and you’re like “Whoa hold up!” That’s where the magical (and maybe a little scary) world of WordPress downgrading comes in!

Feeling like you need to downgrade WordPress because of some theme or plugin issues? We’ve got you covered! Check out our post on how to gracefully downgrade WordPress without losing your sanity 🤯 Find the solution here!

Table of Contents

Why You Might Need to Downgrade

Downgrading WordPress isn’t your typical “best practice” it’s more like a troubleshooting tool a lifeline when you’re in a web design pickle.

It’s like having a backup plan for your website’s sanity.

But before we dive into the technical stuff remember that downgrading should be your last resort.

Imagine this: you’ve updated WordPress and BAM! A plugin suddenly stops working.

Before you panic and revert to a previous version try these things first:

The plugin is the culprit: Chances are it’s the plugin not WordPress itself. Check the plugin’s settings and documentation. Did a recent update cause issues?
The theme is the culprit: Just like plugins themes can cause trouble. Maybe your theme isn’t compatible with the new WordPress version. Try a different theme to see if that fixes the problem.
It’s a bug: Sometimes a bug pops up in a new WordPress version. Look for official WordPress forums or support channels to see if others are experiencing the same issue. There might already be a solution out there!

If you’ve exhausted those options then a WordPress downgrade might be your next move.

But remember it’s like hitting the “undo” button a temporary fix until you can get to the root of the problem.

Don’t Forget the Backups!

One golden rule before any WordPress adventure especially downgrading: back up your site! It’s like having a life preserver for your website in case things go wrong. There are lots of great backup plugins available like VaultPress which can save you a ton of headaches later.

Gutenberg: The Great Theme/Plugin Compatibility Challenge

Remember that time everyone was freaking out about Gutenberg? It was a major shift in the way people edited their WordPress content and well not everyone was ready for it! Plugins and themes had to adapt and some took their sweet time.

If you were caught in the middle of this you might have needed to roll back to an older WordPress version while you waited for the plugin or theme to get up to speed.

This is a perfect example of when downgrading can be a lifesaver.

Abandoned Themes and Plugins: When Things Go Quiet

Sometimes you’ll find yourself using a great free theme or plugin but suddenly the updates stop coming.

The developer might have moved on to other projects or maybe they just lost interest.

This is where the “last tested version” becomes your friend.

You’ll want to check the plugin or theme details on WordPress.org.

If it hasn’t been tested with the latest version you’ll see a warning.

The Warning Signs: A missing update or a “not compatible” warning for your theme or plugin is a red flag! It could mean you’re using outdated software that might be causing issues.
The Forum is Your Friend: Head over to the WordPress.org forums check the support section and see if other people are experiencing the same problems. You might find a solution or discover that you’re not alone!
Time to Move On: If the developer is silent and the forum isn’t offering any hope it’s time to find a new theme or plugin. There are thousands of great options out there!

The PHP Version: Another Compatibility Check

PHP is the language that WordPress runs on and it’s constantly being updated and improved.

Like a good friend who’s always striving to be better PHP gets newer versions but these updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues with older themes or plugins.

The 7.4 Rule: As of this writing WordPress recommends using at least PHP 7.4. If your hosting environment is running a lower version you might run into problems.
Upgrading is Usually the Answer: If you’re using a PHP version below 7.4 update it! It’s the easiest and most reliable way to ensure compatibility.
Downgrading as a Temporary Solution: If you can’t upgrade PHP immediately you might need to downgrade WordPress to a version that works with your current PHP setup. But it’s only a temporary fix!

The Manual Downgrade: A Technical Adventure

If you’re comfortable working with SFTP then a manual downgrade might be your jam.

Think of it like a little coding adventure!

But remember:

Backups Are Your Best Friends: Make sure you have a recent backup of your website before you start messing around. It’s like having an emergency stash of cookies for when things get complicated.
Staging Environments are Your Safe Space: If you’re feeling adventurous consider setting up a staging environment to test your changes before unleashing them on your live site. It’s like a practice session before a big performance!
Deactivating Plugins and Themes is Essential: Before downgrading deactivate all of your plugins and themes. This minimizes potential conflicts and makes your downgrade process smoother.

The Steps of a Manual Downgrade:

Download the Older Version: Head over to the WordPress.org website and download the specific version you want to downgrade to. You’ll get a ZIP file. Unzip it to a safe location.
Clean Up the Files: Inside the downloaded WordPress folder delete the wp-content directory and the wp-config.php file. You’ll need to keep these files from your existing WordPress installation.
SFTP Time!: Use your favorite SFTP client (like FileZilla) to connect to your website’s server.
Navigate to the Root Directory: Find the main directory of your website. It’s often called public_html www or the name of your website.
Overwrite the Core Files: Drag the core WordPress files from your computer (the unzipped folder you downloaded) to your server’s root directory. Make sure to overwrite the existing core files.
The Database Update: After uploading the older WordPress files you might be prompted to update your database. Follow the prompts to complete this step.
Reactivate Your Plugins and Themes: Now it’s time to bring back your plugins and themes. If you deactivated them from your WordPress dashboard you can activate them the same way. If you deactivated them manually via SFTP you’ll need to rename the plugin and theme folders back to their original names.
Disable Automatic Updates: It’s a good idea to temporarily disable automatic updates until you’re confident that everything is working smoothly. You can do this by adding a line to your wp-config.php file.

Using Jetpack Backup for a Smooth Rollback:

If you’re already using Jetpack Backup downgrading WordPress becomes a breeze.

Jetpack Backup allows you to restore your entire website to a previous point in time effectively reversing any changes.

This is a super-easy and safe way to go back to an older version.

Downgrading Plugins or Themes

Sometimes the problem isn’t WordPress itself but a rogue theme or plugin.

You might have updated a plugin and suddenly things start going haywire.

Don’t despair! You can also downgrade individual themes and plugins.

Restoring with Jetpack Backup:

If you’re using Jetpack Backup you can easily restore your theme or plugin to a previous version.

Jetpack keeps a history of your changes allowing you to go back in time.

Manually Downgrading Themes:

Deactivate the Theme: Use SFTP to deactivate the theme by renaming its folder.
Upload the Older Theme: Download a previous version of the theme from the developer’s website (if available). Upload the older version to the themes folder on your server.
Reactivate the Theme: In your WordPress dashboard reactivate the older version of the theme.

Manually Downgrading Plugins:

Deactivate the Plugin: Use SFTP to deactivate the plugin by renaming its folder.
Upload the Older Plugin: Download a previous version of the plugin from the developer’s website (if available). Upload the older version to the plugins folder on your server.
Reactivate the Plugin: In your WordPress dashboard reactivate the older version of the plugin.

The WP Rollback Plugin: Your Downgrade Buddy:

If you want a plugin to help you downgrade themes and plugins WP Rollback is a handy option.

It allows you to select a specific plugin or theme and revert it to an earlier version.

But keep in mind:

Backups Are Still Essential: Even with WP Rollback it’s always good to have a backup of your website before you start rolling back.
Focus on WordPress.org Plugins: WP Rollback works best with plugins from WordPress.org. If you’re using a premium or self-hosted plugin you’ll need to manually downgrade it.

Downgrading Your PHP Version: A Rare Move

Downgrading your PHP version isn’t as common as downgrading WordPress themes or plugins.

But there might be times when you need to go back to an older PHP version if a plugin or theme isn’t compatible with the newer PHP.

The Risks of Downgrading PHP: Be cautious! Downgrading your PHP version can potentially introduce security vulnerabilities as older versions might have security flaws that have been patched in newer releases.
The PHP 7.4 Minimum: Remember WordPress recommends using PHP 7.4 or newer. If you’re using an older version you’re putting your website at risk.
Always Check with Your Hosting Provider: Before making any changes to your PHP version check with your hosting provider. They can advise you on the best course of action and might be able to help with the process.

Backups Backups Backups!

Let’s recap because backups are like the breadcrumb trail that helps you find your way back home after a website adventure:

Regular Backups Are Key: Back up your website regularly even if you’re not planning any major changes. It’s like having a safety net for your website.
Offsite Backups: Consider using a backup service that stores your backups offsite. This way if your server has a problem your backups are safe.
Jetpack Backup: A great option! It offers secure offsite backups and easy one-click restores. It’s like having a magical wand to undo any website mishap.

In Conclusion: Downgrading is a Tool Not a Permanent Fix

Downgrading WordPress can be a lifesaver when things go wrong but it’s not a permanent solution.

Use it as a temporary measure to get your website back on track then dive into troubleshooting to identify and fix the underlying problem.

Always remember to back up your site before making any changes and to test them on a staging environment if possible.

With a little caution and the right tools you can confidently navigate the world of WordPress downgrades and keep your website running smoothly!

How to Downgrade WordPress & Roll Back to a Previous Version