How to Manually Update a WooCommerce Plugin: A Beginner’s Guide
WooCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform, and its functionality is largely extended through plugins. Keeping these plugins up-to-date is crucial for security, bug fixes, and accessing new features. While automatic updates are convenient, sometimes you need to update a plugin manually. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, even if you’re a complete newbie.
Why Manually Update a Plugin?
You might be wondering, “Why bother with manual updates when I can just click a button?” Here are a few reasons why you might need to update a WooCommerce plugin manually:
- Compatibility Issues: An automatic update might break your site’s functionality if the new plugin version clashes with your theme or other plugins. Manual updates allow you to test the update on a staging site (more on that later!) before applying it to your live site. Imagine you have a shipping plugin that calculates rates. A bad update could lead to customers getting incorrect shipping costs, and that’s bad for business!
- Update Problems in WordPress: Sometimes, WordPress’s built-in updater might fail due to server configuration issues or conflicts.
- The plugin isn’t available in the WordPress repository: You may have purchased the plugin directly from a developer, and it’s not listed in the WordPress Plugin Directory.
- Why Backup? Imagine you are replacing the plumbing on the shower and by accident you break a pipe. If you don’t have a way to turn off the water the mess could be huge. A backup does that, prevent a huge mess!
- How to Backup: You can use a plugin like BackupBuddy, UpdraftPlus, or use your hosting provider’s backup tools. Most hosting providers offer backup solutions. Contact their support for assistance if you’re unsure.
- WordPress Plugin Directory: If the plugin is available on WordPress.org, you can download the latest version’s zip file from the plugin’s page. Just search for the plugin name and click “Download”.
- Third-Party Developer/Marketplace: If you purchased the plugin from a developer or a marketplace like CodeCanyon, log in to your account and download the latest version.
Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Updating Your WooCommerce Plugin
#### 1. Back Up Your Website (Seriously, Do It!)
This is the most important step. Before making any changes to your website, create a complete backup of your files and database. Think of it as an insurance policy. If something goes wrong, you can restore your site to its previous working state.
#### 2. Download the Latest Plugin Version
You’ll need the new version of the plugin you want to update. Where you get this depends on where you originally got the plugin:
#### 3. Deactivate the Old Plugin (But Don’t Delete!)
In your WordPress dashboard:
1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
2. Find the plugin you want to update.
3. Click Deactivate.
Important: Do not delete the plugin! Deactivating it is enough. Deleting it would remove all the plugin’s settings and data, which you’ll want to keep. It’s like taking the keys out of the car’s ignition, you don’t want to wreck the car.
#### 4. Upload and Replace the Plugin Files
There are two main ways to do this:
Option 1: Via WordPress Dashboard (Easier)
1. Go to Plugins > Add New.
2. Click Upload Plugin.
3. Click Choose File and select the zip file you downloaded in Step 2.
4. Click Install Now.
5. WordPress will detect that the plugin is already installed and ask if you want to replace it with the uploaded version. Click Replace current with uploaded.
Option 2: Via FTP/File Manager (More Technical)
1. Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting provider’s file manager.
2. Connect to your website’s server.
3. Navigate to the `wp-content/plugins/` directory.
4. Rename the old plugin’s folder (e.g., from `my-plugin` to `my-plugin-old`). This is an extra safety measure.
5. Upload the extracted folder of the new plugin version to the `wp-content/plugins/` directory.
// Example: Renaming the plugin folder via command line (if you have SSH access) mv wp-content/plugins/old-plugin wp-content/plugins/old-plugin-backup
#### 5. Activate the New Plugin Version
Go back to Plugins > Installed Plugins in your WordPress dashboard and click Activate on the updated plugin.
#### 6. Test the Plugin
Crucially, thoroughly test the plugin to ensure it’s working correctly. Check all the features and functionalities it provides. Look for any errors or unexpected behavior.
- Example: If it’s a payment gateway plugin, process a test transaction. If it’s a shipping calculator, calculate shipping rates for different products and locations.
- Be like a detective: Examine if all the features are working and have the correct behavior.
#### 7. Clean Up (If Necessary)
- If you renamed the old plugin folder in step 4, and everything is working, you can now delete it. (e.g. the `my-plugin-old` folder). This keeps your server tidy.
- If you found the old plugin not working correctly, try reinstalling the previous version you renamed to `-old`. If works, contact the plugin developer team to solve the problem.
Staging Site: The Pro Approach
For critical plugins, it’s highly recommended to use a staging site. A staging site is a clone of your live website where you can test updates and changes without affecting your visitors.
1. Create a Staging Site: Many hosting providers offer a one-click staging environment.
2. Update the Plugin on the Staging Site: Follow the steps above on your staging site.
3. Thoroughly Test: Test everything on the staging site.
4. If All is Well, Apply to Live Site: Once you’re confident the update is stable, you can apply it to your live website.
Important Considerations:
- Check Compatibility: Before updating, check the plugin developer’s website or changelog to see if the new version is compatible with your version of WooCommerce and WordPress.
- Read the Changelog: Understand what’s changed in the new version. This helps you anticipate potential issues and test the relevant features.
- Don’t Update All Plugins at Once: Update plugins one at a time. This makes it easier to identify the source of any problems.
- Seek Support if Needed: If you encounter problems, don’t hesitate to contact the plugin developer for support.
Conclusion
Manually updating a WooCommerce plugin might seem daunting at first, but it’s a valuable skill to have. By following these steps and taking precautions like backing up your site and using a staging environment, you can keep your WooCommerce store running smoothly and securely. Remember, a little preparation can save you a lot of headaches down the road!
