How to Update WordPress With FTP

We all know the importance of running your website with the latest version of WordPress. WordPress releases bring major updates on security and new features to the platform. And though the Content Management Systems (CMS) allows you to update to the latest version by clicking the button. You can also update it manually through FTP.

In this guide, we’ll guide you on how to update your WordPress using FTP. But first, we’ll help you understand why you’d update your WordPress manually using FTP.

Why Update Manually Using FTP

There are different updates that WordPress make - minor and major. Sometimes minor updates happen even without your input. But, for major updates, a website admin has to initiate and approve the update process and complete from the WordPress back-end.

But what happens if you can’t access your WordPress admin page?

The option you can do now is updating your WordPress manually using FTP access. This alternative way may due to you being locked out from your WordPress admin page. And updating manually can save your websites from being hacked. FTP can allow you to manage your files and core settings on your website.

What is FTP? FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, which is a set of standardised rules. That enables you to manage website files from your Hosting Manager. It is a client-server protocol that involves two programs (a client and a server). To process and implement requests over a network such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet.

So how do you update your WordPress using FTP? Read on to learn how.

How to Update WordPress With FTP

Important: We recommend to back up your website files. Before following instructions of this guide to update your WordPress using FTP.

After backup, you can update WordPress using FTP client by following the steps below.

Download the latest version of WordPress to your computer.
Double-click the zip file downloaded and Extract it.
Access your FTP Client, and provide the following on the necessary fields:
Once you have logged in to your FTP Client, upload all the files to the public_html directory for the main domain.
If it is for an Add-on domain or a Subdomain, upload it to the corresponding folder given for such domain.
Note: If you don't want to create a new subdirectory for your WordPress site, upload the contents inside the downloaded file (latest version of WordPress), NOT the folder itself.
While the FTP client uploads the files, a message will prompt stating “Target file already exists” or similar to (depending on the FTP client you use). From here, do the following:
1. Select Overwrite as an action.
2. To avoid receiving the same message repeatedly, select Always use this action or similar to.
Important Note: Buttons or actions may vary depending on the FTP client you use. Basically, you just need to allow the FTP client to overwrite or replace all existing files throughout the process.
Go to WordPress dashboard to check if database update is required. Enter YourWordPressSiteDomainName/wp-admin on a browser.
On the Dashboard menu, look for a message that reads, “Database Update Required".
If message displays, click Update WordPess Database to proceed. Disregard if none.

Congratulations! You have updated WordPress using FTP. Please let us know if you need any further assistance, or if you have any questions. We'd love to help!

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