While it’s true that updating WordPress plugins is crucial for security, doing it incorrectly can break the site or stop it from working altogether. Therefore, before you proceed to update any plugin on your WordPress site, make sure you are aware of the possible consequences and precautionary steps that you must take beforehand.
In this blog post, we have shared some common errors you may experience when updating your WordPress site’s plugins.
#1 White Screen of Death (WSOD)
This is the most common problem that most webmasters and web developers face when updating WordPress plugins. After updating the plugins, the site may go blank, a condition known as the White Screen of Death. This means you will see a blank white screen and nothing else when you open your site.
Why does it happen?
The WSOD error may happen when a plugin conflicts with another plugin or with your theme, causing a PHP error. Sometimes the update uses newer PHP functions or incompatible code.
What’s the solution?
- Enable debugging (in wp-config.php, set WP_DEBUG to true) to check error logs.
- Temporarily deactivate the problematic plugin via FTP or hosting file manager.
- Roll back to the previous plugin version (before the update) if possible.
- Always test updates on a staging site first.
#2 Plugin Conflict
Another common issue you may face when updating your WordPress site’s plugins is a plugin or theme conflict. After updating the plugins, some of them may stop supporting other plugins or the site’s theme. As a result, you may see some warnings on the website. Sometimes, this issue manifests as non-working features.
Why does this error happen?
Different plugins may use some hooks or CSS/JS that overlap with other plugins’ code. An update might introduce changes that conflict with others. Some themes also rely on specific plugins or plugin versions.
What’s the solution?
- Always use a staging or test environment before updating the live site. Every professional WordPress developer does this.
- Update one plugin at a time (rather than updating them all at once), then check critical functionality (forms, checkout, pages).
- Always keep a backup of your entire site (files + database) before each update so that you can revert easily, just in case.
#3 Data Loss
Many webmasters reported to us that when they updated their site’s plugins, either the database errors appeared, or parts of the site (posts, settings, data) disappeared or behaved unexpectedly.
Why does this happen?
Some plugin updates involve database schema changes, migrations, or modifications. If database operations fail mid-way for any reason, such as a server issue or intermittent internet problems, the data may be corrupted.
How to prevent data loss?
- Always back up your database and files before updating.
- Use reliable plugins and avoid “abandoned” or rarely maintained ones.
- If the update fails, restore the backup and report the issue to the plugin developer.
#4 Slow-loading Speed
Often, post-upgrade of plugins may also cause your WordPress site to load slowly. This is a prevalent performance-related issue that plugins can cause on your website.
Why does plugin update slow down your site?
The new plugin version may introduce heavy scripts, large CSS files, additional database queries, or other resource-intensive processes that could slow your website’s overall load speed.
What’s the solution?
- Always test plugin updates on staging and monitor performance.
- Use tools such as query monitors or performance profilers.
- Hire a web developer to repair your website if you notice a performance drop after updating your site’s plugins.
#5 Disappearance of features
This is another common problem that most website owners experience when they update their WordPress site’s plugins with a DIY approach.
Why does this happen?
Since some plugins may have extensive customizations by the web developer who built the site, updating the plugin may overwrite that custom code with the newer version. As a result, your website may not work as it did before the update.
What’s the solution?
- Always consult your WordPress developer before updating your site’s plugins.
- Always keep a complete backup so that you can restore it, just in case.
- Avoid updating those plugins that contain customized code.
Conclusion:
On one hand, updating the plugins of a WordPress website shouldn’t be delayed or ignored, and on the other hand, it’s crucial to take precautionary measures before updating them. Therefore, it’s always advisable to consult a professional website developer or an agency to help upgrade your website.