Theme Updates & Maintenance

Updates matter

Theme updates fix bugs and — critically — security holes. An outdated theme is one of the most common ways a WordPress site gets hacked.

How to update

Dashboard → Updates → Themes\nSelect the themes → Update Themes\n# Or: Appearance → Themes → Update Now

Backup first

Before any update, make a backup of your site (files and database). Most hosts offer one-click backups, or use a plugin.

What about customised themes?

If you edited theme files directly, an update will overwrite your changes. That is exactly why child themes exist — learn about them later in this course.

Warning: Never edit a theme's own files for permanent changes. Use a child theme or the Customizer, otherwise updates wipe your work.