Imagine this: you just updated WordPress on your site, but now your homepage looks broken and some of your plugins aren’t working properly. Frustrating, right?
WordPress updates are crucial for maintaining security and performance, but sometimes they can lead to compatibility issues with your theme, plugins or custom features.
In situations like this, rolling back WordPress version to previous version is the only temporary solution to restore stability until a more permanent solution is found. At Bluehost, we make this process simple and stress-free with our regular updates, automated backups, easy-to-use dashboard and expert support to guide you every step of the way.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through why rolling back the WordPress version may be necessary and how to do it safely without affecting your site’s data.
Why would you need to rollback WordPress version?
WordPress updates are designed to improve security, performance and features, but they don’t always go smoothly. For example, certain updates have led to compatibility issues with themes or plugins, causing site errors or unexpected behavior. In such cases, rolling back to a stable version becomes a practical solution to maintain site functionality. Here are a few reasons why rolling back to a previous version might be necessary:
Plugin or theme conflicts
Not all premium plugins and theme versions are immediately compatible with the latest version of the WordPress update. A new update might cause site errors, broken layouts or missing functionality, especially if a WordPress theme or plugin hasn’t been updated to support it.
Performance drops
After the newest release, you might notice slower load times, lagging pages or issues with your WordPress site’s responsiveness. If performance takes a hit, reverting to an earlier version can be a temporary fix while waiting for plugin or theme developers to release patches.
Security concerns
While the latest version of WordPress is meant to fix vulnerabilities, they can sometimes introduce new ones. If a recent update has caused potential risks for security patches, rolling back may be necessary until a safer version is available.
New feature bugs
Not all new WordPress features work seamlessly across all websites. If a new update causes incompatibilities or unexpected bugs, switching to an older WordPress version can help. This ensures site stability while developers work on improvements.
Also read: October WordPress Update 2024
Precautions before downgrading WordPress version
Before rolling back to the previous WordPress version, it’s important to take the right precautions to avoid data loss or further site issues. We provide different ways to make this process smooth and risk-free. Here’s what you should do before proceeding:
Backup your website first
Before making any major changes, it’s essential to take the backup of your site first to prevent data loss. At Bluehost, we allow you to create a copy of your site and restore backups in just a few clicks. Here’s how you can do it:
If we are your hosting provider, you can take advantage of our automated and manual backup options.
Step 1: Log in to your Bluehost account.
Step 2: Navigate to Websites from the right panel.
Step 3: Choose a website and click on Settings.
Step 4: Move to the Backups.
Step 5: You’ll see a list of available automated backups. If you want to create a new one, click Create Backup.
Pro tip: Bluehost’s CodeGuard Basic (included in some hosting plans) automatically creates daily backups, making it easy to restore previous versions.
Also read: How to Back up Your WordPress Website?
Use a staging environment
A staging environment lets you test updates before applying them to your live site. We offer staging sites that allow you to safely experiment with different WordPress versions, themes or plugins without affecting your visitors. If rolling back fixes the issue in staging, you can confidently downgrade your WordPress installation to your live site.
Check plugin & theme compatibility
Before deciding to rollback WordPress version, check if the issue is caused by a plugin or theme. Sometimes, simply updating or replacing an outdated plugin or theme can resolve the problem without needing a full rollback. You can check compatibility by:
- Visiting the WordPress Plugin Repository to see if updates are available.
- Testing your plugins one by one in Bluehost’s staging environment.
- Reviewing plugin and theme documentation for any known issues.
By taking these steps, you can minimize risks and ensure that rolling back WordPress to the target version is truly necessary before making changes. We make this process easier with one-click backups, staging environments and expert support to guide you through every step.
Methods to downgrade WordPress version safely
If a WordPress update is causing issues, rolling back to a previous version can restore site stability. Here are three ways to perform WordPress version rollback, depending on your situation.
Restore a backup (Best for Bluehost users – recommended method)
The easiest and safest way to rollback WordPress version is by restoring a backup. At Bluehost, we provide daily, weekly and monthly backups, so you can quickly revert to a stable version.
Once you see every version of WordPress core on the screen choose the one you want to restore.
Click “Restore” and wait for the process to complete.
With Bluehost’s automated backup system, you always have a recent restore point available, ensuring a smooth WordPress version rollback without data loss.
Manually downgrading WordPress
If you don’t have a backup or need to install a specific WordPress version, you can manually downgrade WordPress version by replacing core files.
Steps to manually downgrade WordPress version:
Step 1: Download an older version from the WordPress Release Archive.
Step 2: Disable all plugins and themes to prevent conflicts.
Step 3: Upload WordPress core files via Bluehost’s File Manager in cPanel or an FTP client like FileZilla.
Step 4: Run the WordPress database update script (WordPress will prompt this upon login).
Step 5: Reactivate plugins and themes one by one to ensure compatibility.
Out of all the troubleshooting methods, this one requires more manual work but is effective when you need to install a specific WordPress version.
Using a WordPress rollback plugin
Check if the issue is caused by a new version of the plugin or theme update rather than WordPress itself. As it will allow you to rollback individual plugin or theme to downgrade WordPress version without affecting the entire WordPress installation.
Popular rollback plugins:
WP Roll back – Lets you downgrade specific plugins or themes to previous versions.
WP Downgrade – Allows you to set a target WordPress version and install it safely.
How Bluehost supports plugin-based rollbacks:
Our WordPress hosting ensures plugin compatibility, smooth rollbacks and minimal downtime. Our 24/7 support team is also available to assist if any rollback issues arise.
Which method should you choose?
- If you’re a Bluehost user → Restoring a backup is the safest and easiest option to downgrade WordPress version.
- If you don’t have a backup → Manual downgrade is the best alternative to rollback WordPress version.
- If the issue is plugin or theme-related → Use a rollback plugin for a quick fix.
By following these methods, you can safely restore your site and keep it running without disruptions. We provide the tools and support you need to manage WordPress versions with confidence.
How to prevent future rollbacks with Bluehost’s features
While rolling back WordPress can help fix issues, preventing the need for rollbacks is even better.
Enable automatic backups
Backups of your site are your safety net. If an update causes issues, having a recent backup allows you to restore your site instantly.
- Web hosting plans of Bluehost include automatic daily, weekly and monthly backups.
- You can access backups in Bluehost Dashboard → My Sites → Manage Site → Backups.
- With one-click restores, you can quickly revert to a working version if needed.
Pro tip: Consider upgrading to Bluehost’s CodeGuard Basic for real-time backups and extra security.
Use a staging site for safe testing
Applying automatic updates directly to a live site can be risky. Instead, use Bluehost’s staging feature to test updates in a safe, private environment before making them live.
Bluehost’s staging site feature allows you to test WordPress updates, plugin changes and theme modifications without affecting your live site.
If everything runs smoothly on the staging site, you can push updates live with confidence.
Also read: What is a Staging Website?
Keep plugins & themes updated
Many site issues come from outdated or incompatible plugins and themes. We simplify WordPress management with:
- One-click plugin and theme updates directly from your Bluehost dashboard.
- WordPress auto-updates (optional) to keep your site secure without manual effort.
- Compatibility checks to ensure plugins work with the latest WordPress version.
Best practice: Always check plugin and theme changelogs before updating and use the staging site to test updates safely.
Final thoughts
Rolling back WordPress should always be a last resort and having regular backups ensures a smooth recovery. The safest rollback method is restoring a Bluehost backup, followed by manual downgrades or plugin-based solutions.
At Bluehost, we offer automated backups, a staging environment and expert support to keep your site running smoothly.
Get a WordPress hosting plan with Bluehost for hassle-free updates, easy rollbacks and top-tier support—so you can focus on growing your website with confidence.
FAQs
Rolling back WordPress is needed when an update causes plugin conflicts, theme issues, performance drops or security problems.
Go to Bluehost Dashboard → My Sites → Manage Site → Backups, select a previous version and click Restore for a quick rollback.
Yes, by downloading an older WordPress version, replacing files via FTP or Bluehost’s File Manager and updating the database.
Yes, plugins like WP Downgrade or WP Rollback help revert WordPress safely, but always backup your site first.
Enable automatic backups, use a staging site and check plugin compatibility before updating. Bluehost offers these features for safety.
