Check for WordPress updates every week. Apply security fixes as soon as you can, ideally within a day or two. Batch routine plugin and theme updates weekly or fortnightly, and never leave them longer than a month. Hold big releases, like a new major WordPress version or a WooCommerce update that changes the database, until you’ve tested them.
Key takeaways
- Not every update is equal. Match the timing to the type of update, not to when you remember.
- Security fixes can’t wait: the most targeted WordPress flaws are attacked within hours of becoming known.
- Routine updates are safest in small, regular batches, with a backup taken first.
- Major versions of WordPress, WooCommerce and page builders deserve a test on a staging copy before they go live.
What’s the right update schedule for WordPress?
Use the type of update to set the timing:
| Update type | How to spot it | When to apply it |
|---|---|---|
| Security fix (core, plugin or theme) | Changelog or alert mentions security or a vulnerability | As soon as possible, within a week at most |
| Minor WordPress release | Third number changes, such as 6.8 to 6.8.1 | Installs automatically; confirm it ran |
| Routine plugin and theme updates | Bug fixes and small features | Weekly or fortnightly, monthly at the latest |
| Major WordPress release | Second number changes, such as 6.8 to 6.9 | After testing, usually within a few weeks |
| Big plugin releases (WooCommerce, page builders) | New version that runs a database update | Test on staging first, then update live |
Why do security updates need to go on straight away?
Because attackers move faster than most update routines. Patchstack found that for the most heavily targeted WordPress flaws, the median time to the first attack was 5 hours (Patchstack). A monthly routine leaves weeks of exposure.
WordPress already helps with core. Since version 3.7, existing sites install minor core releases, including security releases, automatically by default. Plugins and themes don’t, except in special cases (WordPress Developer Resources). Plugins are where the risk is, so that’s where your attention goes. Our article on why you should update WordPress sets out the numbers.
Why batch routine updates every week or two?
Small, regular batches are easier to manage than a big pile. If you update three plugins and something breaks, the cause is obvious. If you update thirty after six months, it isn’t.
Pick a regular time when the site is quiet and someone can check it afterwards. Avoid Friday afternoons and the day before a sale or campaign.
Why should major updates wait for testing?
Major releases change more, so they’re more likely to clash with a theme or plugin. Give developers a little time to release compatibility fixes, then test.
WooCommerce is a good example. It ships a new version roughly every five weeks, with patch releases for important bug fixes in between (WooCommerce Developer). Some of those releases update the database, which you can’t undo by rolling back plugin files.
Test these on a WordPress staging site before touching the live one. For a full major WordPress core update, use a before-and-after checklist.
What does a good update routine look like?
- Check for updates weekly. Look at Dashboard, then Updates, and note anything marked as a security fix.
- Back up first. Confirm a fresh off-site copy of files and database exists. Website backups you can restore turn a bad update into a quick rollback.
- Update in small groups. Security fixes first, then routine updates a few at a time.
- Test what earns you money. Load the home page, submit a form and run a test checkout if you sell online.
- Write it down. Record what you updated and when, so you can trace any problem later.
Should I just turn on auto-updates?
For a simple brochure site, auto-updates on trusted plugins can be a sensible safety net. For stores and page-builder sites, they can change things while nobody is watching. Our guide to WordPress auto-updates covers the safer middle ground.
Whatever you choose, someone still needs to check the site afterwards. An automatic update can’t tell whether your contact form still sends.
What if I don’t have time for this?
Most owners don’t, and that’s when updates slide. Our safe, tested WordPress updates are part of every website maintenance plan, with a firewall covering the gap between a flaw going public and the fix going on.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to update WordPress plugins once a month?
For routine updates on a simple site, monthly is the minimum. Security fixes shouldn’t wait for the monthly round, though. Check weekly, apply security fixes quickly and keep a firewall in place to cover the gap.
Should I update plugins or WordPress first?
Usually plugins and themes first, so they’re ready for the new WordPress version. Then update WordPress itself. For a major release, check that your key plugins list support for it before you start.
How long should I wait before installing a major update?
A few days to a few weeks gives plugin developers time to release compatibility fixes. Test on a staging copy, and if nothing breaks, update the live site. Don’t wait indefinitely, because older versions eventually stop getting fixes.
Do I need to update themes I’m not using?
Delete them instead. Inactive themes and plugins still sit on the server and can still be attacked. Keep your active theme and one default WordPress theme as a fallback, and keep both updated.
Sources
- State of WordPress Security in 2026, Patchstack
- Upgrading WordPress, WordPress Developer Resources
- Release schedule, WooCommerce Developer Docs