How to restore an older version of WordPress

How to Restore a Previous Version of WordPress

Restoring a previous version of your WordPress site can be a critical necessity in various situations: after a failed update, the installation of an incompatible plugin or theme, a malware attack, or simply a human error that breaks the site's functionality. Fortunately, thanks to backup tools, this process is manageable. In this guide, we will explore how you can restore your WordPress to an earlier point using two popular methods: the UpdraftPlus plugin and cPanel backups, available to all PlatiniumHost clients.

Preparation Before Restoring

Before starting any restoration process, it is crucial to follow these steps to ensure a successful outcome and minimize risks:

• Diagnose the Problem: Try to identify the root cause of the problem. Was it an update? A new plugin? This will help you choose the correct restoration point and prevent the problem from recurring.
• Create a Current Backup: Even if your site is broken, it's good practice to create a backup of the current state. This provides an additional 'safety net' in case the restoration doesn't go as expected or if you need to access any files from the current state.
• Choose the Restoration Point: Select a date and time when you know your site was working correctly. Avoid restoring to a point that is too old if not necessary, so as not to lose recent content or settings that are not related to the current problem.

Method 1: Restore WordPress with UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular backup plugins for WordPress, allowing you to create complete backups of your site (files, database, plugins, themes, and uploads) and easily restore them from within the WordPress administration panel.

Steps to Restore with UpdraftPlus:

1. Access your WordPress Panel: Log in to your site's WordPress administration panel (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
2. Navigate to UpdraftPlus: In the WordPress sidebar menu, go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
3. Verify Your Existing Backups: In the 'Existing Backups' tab, you will see a list of all your backups. Each entry will show the date, time, and backed-up components (database, plugins, themes, uploads, others).
4. Start the Restoration Process: Locate the backup you wish to restore (the one corresponding to a time when your site was working correctly) and click the 'Restore' button next to it.
5. Select Components to Restore: UpdraftPlus will ask you which components of the backup you wish to restore. Generally, for a complete restoration of a broken site, you will want to select all: 'Plugins', 'Themes', 'Uploads', 'Other directories', and 'Database'.
6. Confirm Restoration: After selecting the components, click the 'Restore' button. The plugin will download the necessary files (if not already on your server) and begin the process. This may take several minutes depending on the size of your site and your connection speed.
Important: If your database prefix in the backup is different from the current one, UpdraftPlus will offer you the option to change it. Make sure it matches the prefix specified in your wp-config.php file if you have doubts, or let UpdraftPlus manage it if you are restoring an exact copy.
7. Finalize Restoration: Once the process is complete, UpdraftPlus will notify you of the restoration's success. You may be asked to delete old directories or redirect to your site's homepage.