Regular updates are vital for security, bug fixes, and new features. Never update without taking precautions.
The Safe Update Process
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Full Backup: Before updating anything, use your Koelhost backup tool (Client Area or cPanel) or a reliable backup plugin (like UpdraftPlus) to create a complete backup of your files and database. Store this backup off-site.
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Clear Caching: If you use a caching plugin (e.g., LiteSpeed Cache, WP Rocket), clear the cache and temporarily deactivate it. Caching can present visitors with an old, broken version of the site during or after an update.
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Update Order (The safest way):
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Plugins: Update plugins first, one by one. After each plugin update, check a few pages of your live site to ensure nothing is broken.
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Themes: Update your active theme (if you use a Child Theme, the parent theme update will be safe). Check the site again.
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Core: Finally, update the WordPress core version (e.g., 6.4 to 6.5) via the Dashboard Updates screen.
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Final Checks:
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Clear all caching again.
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Verify your site's main pages, forms, and shopping cart (if applicable).
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If any issue occurs, immediately restore the backup you made in Step 1.
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Pro Tip: Use a Staging Environment (if offered by Koelhost). A staging site is a clone of your live site where you can test updates without affecting your visitors.
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