How to do manual WordPress update?

Posted on by Habibie

To manually update WordPress using File Manager (like in cPanel or a hosting control panel) — not from the WordPress dashboard — follow these steps carefully. This method is useful when the auto-update doesn’t work or you’re locked out of the dashboard.

⚠️ Before You Begin:

  • Backup your entire website (files + database).
  • Make sure your File Manager allows ZIP uploads/extractions (like in cPanel).

✅ Steps to Manually Update WordPress via File Manager:

1. Download the latest WordPress

2. Extract the ZIP on your computer

  • You’ll get a folder named wordpress containing all core files.

3. Open your File Manager and go to your WordPress root directory

  • Usually this is:
    public_html or a subfolder if your WP is installed in a directory.

4. Upload the extracted files (except wp-content)

From the wordpress folder, upload all contents to your site’s root folder but skip:

  • wp-content/ folder (this contains your themes, plugins, uploads – don’t overwrite it)
  • wp-config.php (contains DB config – don’t overwrite this either)

You can safely overwrite:

  • wp-includes/
  • wp-admin/
  • All root PHP files like index.php, wp-login.php, etc.

5. Delete or avoid uploading these (if present):

  • wp-content folder (to avoid overwriting your themes/plugins)
  • wp-config-sample.php (not necessary)
  • license.txt, readme.html (optional)

6. Run the upgrade script (if needed)

After uploading is complete, go to:

https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php

This will trigger any required database updates.

✅ Done!

Your WordPress is now updated manually.

💡 Tips:

  • If you’re using a custom theme or have edited core files (not recommended), make backups before replacing anything.
  • Double-check file permissions after upload — WordPress files usually need 644, and folders 755.

Let me know if you want a script version or if you’re using a specific hosting panel like CyberPanel, DirectAdmin, or Plesk.

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