How to restore a previous version of a plugin? – a step-by-step guide

Sometimes new versions of plugins can cause unexpected problems, such as conflicts with other plugins, display errors, or even completely block access to your site. In such situations, quickly restoring a previous version of the plugin may be essential to regain your site’s functionality.

If you are struggling with issues after a plugin update and are looking for effective solutions, this article is for you. Thanks to our tips, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently restore a previous version of the plugin, minimizing disruptions to your site’s performance.

Potential problems due to a malfunctioning plugin

Plugins are an integral part of the WordPress system, adding new features and capabilities to websites. However, like any software component, plugins can sometimes cause issues that may significantly disrupt the operation of your website. Below are some potential problems that may arise from a malfunctioning plugin:

• Error 500: A malfunctioning plugin may cause a 500 Internal Server Error, which prevents access to your website.
• Conflicts with other plugins or themes: Updating a plugin may lead to conflicts with other installed plugins or themes.
• Website slowdown: Improper functioning of a plugin can lead to a slowdown of the website.
• Display errors: A plugin may affect the proper display of content on the page or introduce unwanted changes to the site layout.
• Loss of access to the admin panel: Some plugin errors can prevent access to the WordPress admin panel, making website management difficult.
• Security risks: A damaged or malfunctioning plugin may pose a potential security threat to the website, leaving it vulnerable to attacks or unauthorized access.
• Drop in search engine rankings: Improper plugin operation may cause your website’s ranking in search results to drop, negatively affecting its online visibility.

Locating the malfunctioning plugin

Verifying changes on the site

One of the first steps in identifying the malfunctioning plugin is to check whether the recent changes on the site introduced the problem. This may include updates to plugins, themes, or the addition of new content. This method works only if you make changes to the site one at a time.

1. Check if the problem appeared after the last plugin update. Compare the date of the issue with the date of the last plugin update.
2. Review error logs (if available) in your hosting panel to identify potential causes of the problem.

Disabling plugins one by one

If you recently installed several plugins at once, you might need to use a different method. You can try disabling the plugins one by one to identify the one causing the errors.

1. Go to the WordPress admin panel and navigate to the “Plugins” section.
2. Find the first plugin in the list and click “Deactivate”.
3. Visit your site and check if the problem persists.
4. If the problem is resolved, it means that the recently deactivated plugin was the cause.
5. If the issue persists, repeat the process for the other plugins until you identify the problematic one.

Note: Make sure to only deactivate the plugins, not delete them from the site!

Site backup

Once you have identified the problematic plugin, remember to create a backup of your site before making any permanent changes. This will help you avoid the risk of data loss and compromising your website’s security.

You can read about how to perform a backup in our article:

Effective backup of your WordPress – how to do it?

Hacker attacks, deleted data, or perhaps a server failure? A backup is the guarantee that you can restore all the data of your WordPress website at any time.

read more

Restoring the previous plugin version

Rollback plugins

One of the simplest ways to restore a previous version of a plugin is to use dedicated rollback plugins. These tools allow you to quickly and easily restore the last functioning version of a plugin without manually deleting and reinstalling files.

1. Install the appropriate plugin: Before starting the process, install a suitable plugin, such as WP Rollback. Search the WordPress plugin repository to find the appropriate tool.
2. Go to the “Plugins” section: After installing and activating the plugin, go to the WordPress admin panel and open the “Plugins” section.
3. Select the plugin to restore: Find the plugin you want to revert on the list of installed plugins.
4. Select the restore option: Next to the plugin’s name, a new option should appear, allowing you to quickly restore the previous version. Click on this option.
5. Select the previous version of the plugin: A new window will display the available versions of the plugin. Choose the version you want to restore.
6. Confirm and execute the restoration: After selecting the appropriate version, confirm your decision and proceed with the restoration. The plugin will automatically downgrade to the chosen version.

Keep in mind that this solution only works for plugins available in the WordPress repository!

Plugin replacement

If you are using the WordPress repository, you can relatively easily restore a previous version of a plugin by replacing it.

1. Find the plugin: Go to the WordPress plugin repository and locate the plugin you are interested in. Then click to view the plugin details.
2. Switch to the advanced view: In the plugin preview, find and click the “Advanced View” option, which will allow you to select a specific version of the plugin.
3. Select the previous version: Choose the previously installed version of the plugin—the one that did not cause issues on your site. Then install the plugin in the version you have chosen.
4. Log in to the admin panel: Go to your WordPress admin panel and log in to your administrator account.
5. Navigate to the “Plugins” section: Click “Plugins” in the menu on the left side.
6. Add the plugin: Then click “Add New” and the “Upload Plugin” button. Choose the downloaded zip file containing the plugin from your computer.
7. Replace the files: WordPress will notify you that the plugin is already installed in a different version and ask if you want to replace it. Confirm the replacement and you’re done!

You can also perform the replacement using an FTP server.

Testing

After restoring the previous version of the plugin, it is important to test your site to ensure that the problem has been resolved and that the site is functioning correctly. How to conduct tests:

• Check various functions of the site, such as contact forms, ordering processes, or comment submissions.
• Test the site on different devices and browsers to ensure that it looks and works correctly.
• Monitor error logs and user reports for any potential issues that may arise.
• Ask testers (they could even be your friends 😛) to also test the site and report any issues.

Summary

Restoring a previous version of a plugin in WordPress can sometimes be necessary to resolve issues related to updates, incompatibility, or other undesirable side effects. It is worth knowing various restoration methods to quickly and efficiently regain your site’s stability and functionality. Ultimately, maintaining a functional and secure website requires constant attention and taking appropriate measures in case of problems.