Table of contents
Why downgrade WordPress?How to downgrade WordPress manuallyHow to downgrade by restoring from a backupHow to downgrade WordPress with a pluginHow to downgrade WordPress themesHow to downgrade WordPress pluginsHow to downgrade PHP versionsNext stepsAdditional resources
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WordPress Guide → Admin → Downgrade

Downgrade WordPress: How to revert to an earlier version

A man looking thoughtfully at a laptop screen.

WordPress updates usually improve performance and security—but not always. If something breaks after an update, you might need to roll things back. Here’s how to downgrade WordPress safely and when it actually makes sense.

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Why downgrade WordPress?

Sometimes the latest version of WordPress causes more problems than it solves, especially if your site relies on outdated themes or plugins. Here are some common scenarios where downgrading is the right move:

  • Theme or plugin incompatibility – After updating WordPress, you might find that a theme or plugin no longer works correctly. If the developer hasn’t released a fix yet, reverting WordPress gives you time to wait it out without downtime.
  • PHP compatibility issues – Some versions of WordPress introduce stricter PHP requirements. If your hosting environment doesn’t meet them, you could run into errors or a broken admin panel.
  • Site speed or performance dips – Although rare, some updates may affect load times or resource usage, especially on shared hosting.
  • Custom code conflicts – If you’ve customized your theme or plugins with your own PHP or JavaScript, updates can cause functionality to break or behave unpredictably.
  • Testing or staging purposes – You might need to replicate a client’s environment using an older WordPress version before applying updates or changes.

If you’re unsure whether to downgrade, try using a staging environment first. 

How to downgrade WordPress manually

Manual downgrades give you the most control, but they require careful handling. You’ll be replacing WordPress core files, so take a full backup first.

Here’s how:

  1. Back up your site.
  2. Download the older WordPress version. Head to the WordPress release archive and download the version you want.
  3. Deactivate all plugins. Log in to your WordPress admin and deactivate your plugins under Plugins > Installed Plugins. This reduces the chance of compatibility issues during the downgrade.
  4. Replace WordPress core files
    • Unzip the version you downloaded.
    • Delete the wp-admin and wp-includes folders from your site via FTP or File Manager in cPanel.
    • Upload the same folders from the old version you downloaded.
    • Replace all loose files from the root folder (except wp-content and wp-config.php) with the ones from the older version.
  5. Run the database upgrade script. Visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php and follow the prompt.
  6. Reactivate plugins and test the site. Go back into your admin panel and re-enable each plugin. Test your site to confirm everything is working.

How to downgrade by restoring from a backup

If you’ve made a recent full-site backup, restoring it is the fastest way to downgrade WordPress—along with your themes, plugins, and content. Here’s what to do:

  1. Log in to your hosting panel or backup plugin
  2. Locate a restore point before the WordPress update
  3. Restore both the files and database
  4. Clear your site cache and browser cache before checking the front end

This method is especially useful if your backup was taken just before the update. 

How to downgrade WordPress with a plugin

If you’re not comfortable with FTP or database changes, use a plugin to handle the downgrade. Two good options:

Core Rollback

Core Rollback lets you roll back to a previous version of WordPress right from the admin dashboard—no file uploads or manual edits required.

To use it:

  • Install and activate the plugin
  • Go to Dashboard > Updates
  • Scroll down and click “Rollback WordPress”
  • Choose your desired version from the dropdown
  • Click “Rollback” and follow the prompts

The plugin replaces WordPress core files with the selected version and handles the downgrade cleanly, without affecting your content, themes, or plugins.

WP Rollback (for themes and plugins)

WP Rollback doesn’t downgrade WordPress core, but it lets you easily revert plugins or themes to earlier versions—more on that below.

How to downgrade WordPress themes

If a theme update breaks your layout or removes a feature you need, rolling back to an earlier version can fix things temporarily.

You’ve got two options:

Use WP Rollback

  1. Go to Appearance > Themes
  2. Click on the theme
  3. If rollback is supported, you’ll see a “Rollback” button
  4. Select the version you want and confirm

Manually reinstall the old version

  1. Download the previous theme version from the developer’s site or WordPress.org
  2. Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme
  3. Choose the ZIP file and upload it
  4. When prompted, click “Replace current with uploaded”

Make sure to test the site after switching back, especially on mobile.

How to downgrade WordPress plugins

If a plugin update introduces bugs, removes features, or breaks your layout, downgrading to a previous version can fix the issue quickly.

You have two ways to do it:

WP Rollback

Download WP Rollback

  • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
  • Click “Rollback” under the plugin you want to revert
  • Choose the version you want and confirm

This only works with plugins hosted on WordPress.org.

Downgrade a plugin manually

If the plugin isn’t supported by WP Rollback (like most premium plugins), you’ll need to do it by hand:

  • Download the previous plugin version
    • For free plugins: Visit the plugin’s page on WordPress.org
    • For premium plugins: Log into the developer’s website and download the older version from your account
  • Deactivate and delete the plugin
    • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
    • Deactivate the plugin
    • Click “Delete” (don’t worry—your settings are usually stored in the database and won’t be erased)
  • Install the older version
    • Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin
    • Upload the ZIP file of the older version and click Install Now
    • Activate the plugin once the upload is complete
  • Test your site. Make sure everything works as expected and check for compatibility with other plugins or themes.

Downgrading plugins manually takes a little more time but gives you full control—especially useful if you’re dealing with non-WordPress.org plugins or debugging complex issues.

How to downgrade PHP versions

WordPress core and some plugins require specific PHP versions to run properly. If a newer PHP version causes issues, you may need to downgrade temporarily.

Here’s how to downgrade PHP:

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel. Most hosts use cPanel or a custom dashboard.
  2. Find the PHP Version Selector. Look for MultiPHP Manager, PHP Settings, or PHP Selector.
  3. Choose your domain. Select the domain where WordPress is installed.
  4. Select an older PHP version. For example, switch from PHP 8.2 back to 8.0 or 7.4.
  5. Apply changes and test your site

Additional resources

How to use your WordPress admin login page →

How to find, use, and troubleshoot your admin page

WP-content: uploads and more (A beginner’s guide) →

Access and manage your WordPress media files efficiently through Liquid Web’s admin uploads directory.

Easy WordPress website maintenance tips →

7 simple steps to keep on regular rotation