How to Downgrade WordPress Version [With / Without Plugin]

WordPress update comes with several new features and security patch updates for your device. It is important to update WordPress to the latest version to be secured and to avail of new functionalities. But at the same time, there will be some minor bugs that can cause trouble even in a stable version. If you are facing such bugs and issues on your site after a WordPress update, then it is most probably with the plugin or add-on trying to blend with WordPress’s latest version. In that case, it is best to downgrade/rollback your WordPress to the older version that you are good with an update later once the bugs are cleared.

Methods to Downgrade/Rollback WordPress

There are two possible ways to downgrade or rollback WordPress to any of the older versions released. They are

• With Plugin – The Simplest way
• Without Plugin – Complex yet possible

Also see How to RollBack WordPress Plugins & Themes

Steps to Downgrade WordPress using Plugin

[1] From the Plugin, add a new plugin named WP Downgrade.

[2] Install and Activate the WP Downgrade.

[3] Get back to Dashboard and choose Settings.

[4] Select WP Downgrade settings from the menu.

[5] In the WordPress target version, enter the exact version number of the WordPress you need to rollback.

[6] Click on Save changes and get back to the Dashboard.

[7] Choose Updates from Dashboard and click on Reinstall Now to downgrade WordPress to the version you need.

[8] That’s it now you have successfully rolled back your WordPress.

Steps to Rollback WordPress without Plugin

Before proceeding to rollback WordPress make sure of the following to avoid issues after rollbacking.

[1] Deactivate all your WordPress plugin (Dashboard >> Plugins >> Installed Plugins >> Deactivate).

[2] Back all your website data before performing a rollback.

Rollback WordPress without Plugin

[3]Go to https://wordpress.org/download/releases and download the WordPress version you opt for.

[4] Extract the downloaded WordPress version zip on your PC.

[5] Enter via FTP to your WordPress website and make a backup copy of the site files and data. See our detailed guide on how to backup a WordPress site easily.

[6] Once backed up, delete the wp-admin and wp-includes folder from your site FTP.

[7] After deleting, upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folder from the older version release file which you have extracted before.

Note: Make sure you do not make any changes wp-content folder, it holds all your site design and data.

[8] Once done, get back to Dashboard and click on Updtaes.

[9] Click on Re-install Now to install the updates

[10] Now you can successfully roll backed your WordPress.

Conclusion

If you are facing this issue every time during an update, then try not to update your WordPress instantly. Instead, wait and check the support forum about the review of the new update and then proceed with the update. Also, most importantly check whether all your plugins are compatible with the latest version of WordPress before updating. Hope this article helped you resolve your WordPress issue. For more updates and articles on WordPress, explore our blog.