If your WordPress website hasn’t been updated in years, you’re not alone. Many site owners delay updates out of fear that something might break — and that’s a valid concern. However, outdated versions of WordPress, themes, and plugins can make your site slow, unstable, and vulnerable to hackers.
This guide will help you understand how to safely update a very old WordPress website, even if it hasn’t been touched in a long time.
1. Prepare Your Website for the Update
Create a Full Backup
Before making any changes, back up your entire website, including both files and database. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration, or BlogVault. Save your backup on a secure cloud storage platform (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) or download it to your computer.
Check Your Hosting Environment
Older websites often run on outdated PHP versions or old MySQL databases. Check your hosting control panel and make sure your server meets the minimum requirements for the latest version of WordPress (PHP 8.0 or higher, MySQL 5.7 or higher). If not, ask your hosting provider to upgrade it.
2. Disable Caching and Security Plugins
Before updating, temporarily disable all caching, optimization, and security plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or Wordfence. These plugins sometimes interfere with updates and can cause your site to malfunction during the process.
3. Update Step-by-Step — Not All at Once
Update WordPress Core Gradually
If your website is running a version that’s several years old (e.g., WordPress 4.x or 5.0), don’t jump straight to the latest release. Instead, update in small steps:
- Update to the next major version (for example, from 4.7 → 4.9 → 5.0 → 6.0).
- After each update, check your site functionality and make sure everything still works.
This step-by-step approach minimizes the risk of plugin or theme conflicts.
Update Plugins and Themes After the Core Update
Once WordPress itself is updated and stable, start updating your plugins and themes one by one.
- Delete any plugins or themes that are no longer supported.
- Replace outdated ones with modern, actively maintained alternatives.
- Avoid using nulled or pirated themes — they’re a major security risk.
4. Switch to a Modern Theme (If Necessary)
Old Themes May Break
If your site uses a theme that hasn’t been updated in years, it might not be compatible with modern WordPress versions or the Gutenberg block editor. Consider switching to a newer theme like GeneratePress, Astra, or Kadence, which are lightweight, SEO-friendly, and fully compatible with the latest WordPress releases.
Test on a Staging Site First
Before applying changes to your live website, create a staging site — a clone of your website where you can safely test updates. Many hosting providers like SiteGround, Kinsta, or WP Engine offer one-click staging environments.
5. Optimize and Secure After the Update
Clean Up Your Database
Use a plugin like WP-Optimize or Advanced Database Cleaner to remove old revisions, spam comments, and unused data that have built up over time. This helps speed up your site and reduce load times.
Install a Security and Backup Solution
Now that your site is up to date, keep it protected. Install reliable plugins such as Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri. Set up automatic daily backups and enable two-factor authentication for your admin account.
Need Help Updating Your Old WordPress Website?
If this process sounds too complex or risky, don’t worry — I can help. I offer professional WordPress maintenance and update services, ensuring your old website is safely upgraded without data loss or downtime.
Contact me today, and I’ll make sure your site runs fast, secure, and compatible with the latest version of WordPress.
