How to downgrade WordPress? (Plugin, FTP, wp-CLI)

You click “Update”, wait a moment, and suddenly see the “White Screen of Death” or a critical PHP error. Your site is down, and the client is calling.

Don’t panic. In WordPress, you can almost always revert changes. In this guide, I’ll show you three methods for a Downgrade, ranging from easiest to most advanced.

Method 1: Wp rollback plugin (if admin works)

If you still have access to the Dashboard (wp-admin), you are saved. The best tool for reverting plugins and themes is the free WP Rollback plugin.

1. Install and activate WP Rollback.
2. Go to the plugins list (Plugins -> Installed).
3. A new link “Rollback” will appear next to each plugin.
4. Click it and choose the version you want to return to (e.g., from 5.4 to 5.3).
5. Confirm. Done!

Note: WP Rollback (free version) usually doesn’t revert WordPress Core itself, only plugins and themes. For Core, you need another plugin: Core Rollback.

Method 2: Wp-CLI (for professionals)

If you have SSH access (see our SSH guide), this is the fastest and safest method.

To downgrade WordPress Core:

wp core update --version=6.4.3 --force

The --force parameter forces installation even if you have a newer version.

To downgrade a plugin (e.g., WooCommerce):

wp plugin update woocommerce --version=8.5.0 --force

Method 3: Manual file replacement (FTP)

If you have no access to the panel or SSH, only “open heart surgery” via FTP remains.

This is risky. Backup your database before starting!

1. Go to WordPress.org Releases and download the older WP version (zip).
2. Unzip it on your computer.
3. DELETE the wp-content folder and wp-config-sample.php file from the unzipped folder.
   • Why? So you don’t accidentally overwrite your photos, themes, and configuration!
4. Connect via FTP (FileZilla).
5. Upload the remaining files (wp-admin, wp-includes, root files) to the server, choosing “Overwrite”.

After uploading, try accessing wp-admin. WordPress might ask for a “Database Update” - agree to it.

When is backup the only salvation?

Sometimes downgrading files isn’t enough. Example: WooCommerce 9.0 changed the database structure. If you revert files to 8.9 but only keep the database in the new structure, the store will break.

In such a case, the only option is to restore a full backup (Files + Database) from yesterday.

How to avoid problems?

1. Staging: Never update “live”. Test on a copy.
2. Automated Backups: Set up hosting backups every 24h.

Remember: Updates are important for security, but stability is more important for business.