# How to Update the Theme

Before processing any update, make sure to take a full site and database backup. That will ensure you’re able to revert to a working point in your site if anything unexpected happens.

It’s also **very important that you ensure your server limits are at least at the required minimums** for the update/theme install to complete seamlessly.

#### **Backup Your WordPress Website** <a href="#backup-your-wordpress-website" id="backup-your-wordpress-website"></a>

* **Install a Backup Plugin**
  * Navigate to **Plugins** → **Add New**.
  * Search for **UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, or BackupBuddy**.
  * Click **Install Now** → **Activate**.

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* **Create a Backup**
  * Go to **Settings** → **UpdraftPlus Backups**.
  * Click **Backup Now** and select **Files + Database**.
  * Once completed, download the backup for extra safety.

#### Before proceeding with the update: <a href="#before-proceeding-with-the-update" id="before-proceeding-with-the-update"></a>

* **Kindly deactivate the required theme plugins** **(e.g., Thatha&#x20;*****Plus,*****&#x20;Thatha&#x20;*****Pro,*****&#x20;Thatha Shop,&#x20;*****Wedesigntech Elementor Addon, Wedesigntech Portfolio Addon*****).**
* Log in to your ThemeForest account.
* Navigate to the **Downloads** section and locate your purchased theme.
* Click **Download** and select **“Installable WordPress file only”** (this will download a `.zip` file).

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/dpNOzQyK5S9izuyBm1D9/blobs/bmPXFzr5I5s3SUHOwL0M/update-01.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Update via WordPress Dashboard** <a href="#update-via-wordpress-dashboard" id="update-via-wordpress-dashboard"></a>

* Log in to your **WordPress Dashboard**.
* Navigate to **Appearance → Themes**.
* Temporarily activate a default WordPress theme (e.g., **Twenty Twenty-Five**).
* Upload the new theme folder from the extracted `.zip` file.
* When prompted, click **“Replace current with uploaded”** to install the latest version.
* Once uploaded, **activate the theme** and begin installing the required plugins.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/dpNOzQyK5S9izuyBm1D9/blobs/Em2UDJNVtXN1CHPQkMkw/2.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/dpNOzQyK5S9izuyBm1D9/blobs/gveP95azfapwFJ4xG7ek/1.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Update via FTP (Manual Method)** <a href="#update-via-ftp-manual-method" id="update-via-ftp-manual-method"></a>

* Download the latest version of the theme from ThemeForest.
* Connect to your website using **FTP (FileZilla or cPanel File Manager)**.
* Navigate to **/wp-content/themes/**.
* Delete or rename the existing theme folder.
* Upload the new theme folder from the extracted folder
* Log in to WordPress dashboard > Appearance > Themes
* Activate the Concho theme and begin installing the theme's required plugins

#### **Important Notes Before Updating** <a href="#important-notes-before-updating" id="important-notes-before-updating"></a>

* **Backup Your Website** (Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or manually export the database and files).
* **Check Changelog & Compatibility** (Review release notes for major changes).
* **Clear Cache** (After updating, clear cache if using caching plugins).

#### **Important Steps After Updating Your WordPress Theme** <a href="#important-steps-after-updating-your-wordpress-theme" id="important-steps-after-updating-your-wordpress-theme"></a>

After updating your WordPress theme, follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition without issues:

**1. Remove Older Copies of the Theme**

* **Do not keep older theme versions in the WP theme folder.**
* **Completely delete the old theme folder** before uploading the updated version.
* **Avoid renaming the theme folder** before updating, as WordPress stores settings like menus and widgets by folder path.

**2. Reset Cache (Browser, Server & Plugin Cache)**

* **Browser Cache:** Clear your browser cache (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
* **Plugin Cache:** If you use caching plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or WP Super Cache, clear their caches.
* **Server Cache:** Some hosting providers have server-side caching (e.g., Cloudflare, Google PageSpeed, SiteGround Optimizer). If updates do not reflect, ask your host to clear the server cache.

**3. Update Child Theme (If Applicable)**

* If you use a **child theme**, switch back to the **parent theme** to check if issues exist there.
* If the parent theme works fine, update any outdated template files in your child theme.

**4. Update Required & Recommended Plugins**

* WordPress will notify you if required plugins need updating.
* Install and update all recommended plugins to maintain theme functionality.
* Always ensure you are using the latest versions.