WordPress handles minor updates automatically and notifies you for major ones with a one-click option. But if the admin dashboard won't cooperate, manually updating via FTP is a proven fix. As experienced WordPress users, we've relied on this method countless times. Follow our clear steps below.
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Before any update, create a full WordPress backup. No admin access? Backup manually anyway.
Download the latest WordPress from WordPress.org to your desktop, unzip it, and find the wordpress folder.
No FTP client yet? Install FileZilla—it's free, reliable, and works on Windows or Mac.
Connect to your site with your FTP client. See our guide on how to use FTP to upload files to WordPress.
In your site's root directory, upload everything from the desktop wordpress folder.
Your FTP client will prompt for existing files: select Overwrite and check Always use this action.
New releases often need database tweaks. After files upload, head to your admin area. You'll see a database update notice.
Click Update WordPress Database to finish. You'll get a success message.
Done! Your site now runs the latest WordPress.
Regular updates keep things secure and feature-rich. Questions? Comment below.
