---
title: "WordPress Upgrade and Downgrade"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cms/wordpress/troubleshooting/wordpress-upgrade-and-downgrade/"
description: "Learn to upgrade/downgrade WordPress via WP-CLI, Softaculous, or Dashboard. Back up first & use troubleshooting tips for common update errors."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2025-05-28"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# WordPress Upgrade and Downgrade

### Overview

This guide covers how to upgrade or downgrade WordPress using various methods, including WP-CLI, Softaculous, and the WordPress Dashboard. It also includes troubleshooting tips for common update errors and how to enable verbose logging for debugging.

Important:Always create a full backup of your site files and database before performing an upgrade or downgrade.

### Methods to upgrade or downgrade WordPress

##### 1. WP-CLI (Recommended)

**Upgrade WordPress**

1. Log in to the server via SSH.
2. Switch to the user that owns the WordPress install:  
    `<strong>su - username</strong>`
3. Navigate to the WordPress root directory:  
    `cd /path/to/wordpress`
4. Run the following command:  
    `wp core update`

**Downgrade WordPress**

1. Log in to the server via SSH.
2. Switch to the user that owns the WordPress install:  
    `<strong>su - username</strong>`
3. Navigate to the WordPress root directory:  
    `cd /path/to/wordpress`
4. Specify the version you want to downgrade to:  
    `wp core update --version=x.x.x --force`   
    Replace x.x.x with required version, example: `wp core update --version=6.1.1 --force`

##### 2. Softaculous (If WordPress was installed via Softaculous)

**Upgrade WordPress**

1. Log into your cPanel account.
2. Go to **Softaculous Apps Installer**.
3. Select your WordPress installation.
4. If an update is available, click the blue update arrows.

![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/upgrade-1024x377-1.png)5\. Create a backup when prompted.

**Downgrade WordPress**

NoteDowngrading is not supported directly in Softaculous. Use WP-CLI or manual methods instead.

##### 3. WordPress dashboard

**Upgrade WordPress**

1. Log into your WordPress Admin area.
2. If an update is available, you will see a notification at the top.
3. Click **Please update now** to begin.
4. WordPress will download and install the update.

TipUpdate plugins and themes *before* performing the core update to minimize compatibility issues.

**Downgrade WordPress**

NoteDowngrading is not supported directly from WordPress dashboard. Use WP-CLI or manual methods instead.

### Troubleshooting common issues

##### General update errors

**Symptom:** “The update cannot be installed because we will be unable to copy some files.”

**Causes:**

- Incorrect file permissions
- Disk space issues

**Fixes:**

1. Check PHP handler:`/usr/local/cpanel/bin/rebuild_phpconf --current`
2. Ensure correct ownership and permissions: 
    - Files: `644`
    - Directories: `755`
    - Ownership: `user:user`
3. Check available disk space: `df -h`
4. Remove leftover `.maintenance` file from root if stuck in maintenance mode.

##### Download failed

**Symptom:** `Download failed. error:0D0890A1:asn1 encoding routines:func(137):reason(161)`

**Cause:** Old OpenSSL version unable to verify SHA-256 certificates.

**Solutions:**

- Move the site to a modern hosting environment.
- Manually update WordPress via FTP.

##### Fatal Error: Undefined function during update

**Symptom:** Corrupt files cause fatal errors post-update, especially blocking wp-admin access.

**Fix:**

1. Download the latest WordPress installation package from [wordpress.org](https://wordpress.org/download/).
2. Extract and replace core directories (`wp-admin`, `wp-includes`) via FTP.
3. Visit `/wp-admin` in a browser to trigger database updates.

TipAlways verify backup functionality before making any replacements.

##### Enable debug logging

To capture more detailed logs during updates:

1. Open `wp-config.php`
2. Add these lines near the top:

`define('WP_DEBUG', true);<br></br>define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);<br></br>define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true);<br></br>error_reporting(E_ALL);<br></br>ini_set('display_errors', 1);`

3\. Logs will be written to `wp-content/debug.log`

TipIf Apache can’t write to `debug.log`, create it manually with 666 permissions.

### Summary

Upgrading or downgrading WordPress is a critical task that requires care and preparation. WP-CLI is the most efficient tool for version management, while Softaculous and the dashboard offer convenient UI-based options. Always back up your site, check for compatibility, and troubleshoot carefully using this guide and also take assistance of your development team.