How to Manually Update WordPress Plugins via FTP (A Complete 2022 Guide)

As an experienced WordPress developer with over 15 years building sites, one issue I see users struggle with is updating plugins manually via FTP.

The automated one-click updates are convenient. But when they fail, they can completely break your site.

That‘s why learning how to manually update plugins through FTP is an essential WordPress skill.

In this complete guide, I‘ll share everything I‘ve learned from managing hundreds of sites and walk you through the entire manual plugin update process step-by-step.

By the end, you‘ll have the confidence to troubleshoot and fix failed updates to keep your site running smoothly.

Why Do WordPress Plugins Fail to Update Automatically?

Before we dive into the steps, let‘s look at why plugin updates fail in the first place. Understanding the potential causes will help avoid issues down the road.

Based on my experience, here are the most common reasons for auto-update failures:

1. Incorrect File Permissions

WordPress needs proper read/write access to plugin folders in order to modify the files during an update. If permissions are too restrictive, it will fail.

This is one of the most common issues I see with auto-updates. Often a file or folder gets changed to 644 permissions instead of the required 755 value.

One wrong permission can block the entire update.

2. Plugin Version Number Mismatch

WordPress tracks the plugin version numbers in the database. If the actual files have a different version than what‘s stored in the DB, it confuses the auto-update script.

This can happen if you manually change plugin code or import a site from a different environment. The quickest fix is to make the version numbers match again.

3. Insufficient PHP Settings

Auto-updates require higher PHP memory, time limits, and other resources to run smoothly. If your server has conservative PHP configs, it can cause timeouts.

For example, cPanel‘s default PHP memory limit is only 128MB. Many updates need 256MB or higher to fully process.

4. Mod_Security Rules

This Apache module blocks what it thinks are suspicious requests. Unfortunately, that can include WordPress POST requests to run updates.

Excluding the WordPress core, plugins, and themes from mod_security rules prevents this issue.

5. Plugin & Theme Conflicts

With all the interdependent code in WordPress, sometimes one plugin or theme will conflict with another and cause issues.

I‘ve seen cases where simply deactivating one plugin allows another to update properly.

6. Custom Code Modifications

Any custom code added to your plugins or themes can potentially disrupt the update process in subtle ways.

Keep customizations in child themes and custom plugins when possible to avoid interference.

According to WordPress stats, over 79 million websites have used WordPress. With so many sites, these kinds of auto-update failures are inevitable.

The good news is that you can fix them manually…

How to Update a WordPress Plugin Manually in 5 Steps

When an automated update fails, your site remains stuck on an old plugin version full of bugs and security issues.

The only way to fix it is to manually update the plugin files through FTP.

Follow these 5 steps:

Step 1: Download the Latest Plugin Version

First, download the newest plugin version from WordPress.org or the plugin company‘s website. It will be in ZIP format.

Be sure to extract the entire plugin folder on your computer to have access to all files.

Step 2: Connect to Your Site via FTP

You‘ll need an FTP client like FileZilla and your hosting account‘s FTP credentials.

Enter the FTP address, username, and password to access your website files and folders.

Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/. This is where all WordPress plugins reside.

Step 3: Locate and Remove the Current Plugin Folder

Find the problem plugin folder that failed to update.

Rename it by adding -old or something similar to deactivate it.

Download the renamed folder as a backup.

Delete the renamed folder from the server.

This removes the old plugin files but keeps them as a backup.

Step 4: Upload the New Plugin Version

Return to your FTP client and locate the new plugin version you downloaded earlier.

Upload this folder into the same location you deleted the old version from.

Allow the transfer to complete fully.

Step 5: Activate the Plugin in WordPress

Log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the Plugins page.

Find the new plugin you just uploaded and click Activate to enable it.

Visit your site to make sure the plugin is working again!

And that‘s it…by following those steps you can manually force a plugin update via FTP anytime the auto-update fails.

When to Rollback a Manual Plugin Update

In some cases, the new plugin version also doesn‘t function properly on your site. This is typically due to a compatibility issue or the plugin having its own bugs.

If that happens:

1. Deactivate the problematic plugin in your WordPress dashboard.

2. Use FTP to delete the new plugin folder and re-upload the old version you backed up.

3. Activate the previous working version of the plugin in WordPress.

This rolls back your site to the earlier plugin files. You can then investigate the ongoing issues and contact support if needed.

How Often Do WordPress Plugins Really Need to Be Updated?

With so many plugins to maintain, it‘s reasonable to ask:

How frequently do I need to update my WordPress plugins?

My rule of thumb is to check core and all plugins at least once per month.

Here‘s why monthly updates are important:

• The WordPress core gets updated once per month with security and bug fixes. Keeping it updated prevents exploits.

• Popular plugins like Yoast SEO and WooCommerce average 8-10 releases per month. Waiting longer than a month risks multiple missed fixes.

• According to Wordfence, over 97% of infected WordPress sites are running outdated software. Monthly updates significantly reduce your exposure to hacks.

• Code libraries like jQuery embedded in plugins go stale quickly. A single outdated library can create vulnerabilities.

• By industry best practices, sites should run the latest stable software releases. Monthly checks help you comply.

So while it may seem tedious, taking a few minutes each month to update WordPress and your plugins is time very well spent. It keeps your site secure and stable.

Tips to Avoid Needing Manual Plugin Updates

While I‘ve provided this guide to successfully update plugins manually, the truth is most sites should rarely need to.

Here are my top tips to avoid manual updates based on my experience:

Choose a Managed WordPress Host

Hosts like WP Engine and Kinsta optimize their infrastructure specifically for WordPress. This includes:

• High PHP memory limits and timeouts well above normal needs.
• Integrated staging environments to test updates.
• Auto-exclusion of WordPress paths from mod_security.
• Proactive monitoring and resolution of file permission issues.

With the technical challenges removed, managed WordPress hosts have auto-update success rates of over 99%.

Limit Your Active Plugins

The more plugins you install, the more likely they have conflicts and compatibility issues.

Audit which plugins you actually need and remove any bloat or unnecessary ones. Typical sites only regularly use 10-20 plugins max.

Also watch out for "zombie plugins" that are abandoned but still installed. Remove them!

Avoid Extensive Plugin Customizations

Resist the urge to directly modify plugin code when possible. Instead, use available hooks, filters, and extension capabilities the developer built in.

For major changes, extend plugins in your own custom plugin or child theme. This avoids potential auto-update conflicts.

Use a Staging Site

Push plugin updates to a staging site first to test everything before deploying live.

Many hosts provide free staging environments. You can also use a plugin like WP StageCoach.

This catches any issues with updates before they block your production site.

Communicate Issues to Your Developer

If a particular plugin repeatedly fails automatic updates, inform your developer ASAP.

We can dig into server logs and troubleshoot why it‘s failing. There may be fixes like adjusting PHP settings or permissions.

With a proactive approach, you should be able to stick with smooth, reliable automated updates 99% of the time.

But when you do need to update a plugin manually, just follow this guide!

Frequently Asked Questions About Manual Plugin Updates

Let‘s review some common questions about manually updating plugins via FTP:

Do I need FTP software to update WordPress plugins manually?

Yes, you need an FTP client like FileZilla to access your site‘s files and update plugins through FTP.

What‘s the easiest way to get FTP access to my site?

Most managed WordPress hosts like WP Engine provide FTP credentials directly in your dashboard. Check there first.

Can I damage my site updating WordPress plugins manually?

There is a small risk of issues. So always backup your site and plugins before updating manually just in case.

What do I do if my site breaks after manually updating a plugin?

First deactivate the problematic plugin. If that doesn‘t fix it, restore your site and plugin backups via FTP to roll back the changes.

Is there a plugin for updating WordPress plugins manually?

Yes, there are some plugins like WP Rollback that simplify the manual update process. But you still need FTP access.

Is it better to update all plugins at once or individually?

I recommend updating one plugin at a time, testing it fully before moving to the next. This helps isolate any issues with a particular plugin.

Final Thoughts on Updating Plugins Manually

As you can see, manually updating WordPress plugins via FTP is a straightforward process.

While not ideal, it‘s a good skill to have when those stubborn automated updates fail.

By following this guide, you can overcome common auto-update issues and force plugins to upgrade easily.

The key steps are:

1. Download the newest plugin version
2. Access your site via FTP
3. Remove the old plugin folder
4. Upload the new plugin folder
5. Activate in WordPress

A bit tedious, but it works!

I hope these tips help you keep your plugins updated and your site running smoothly. Let me know if you have any other questions!