Should You Enable Auto Updates for Core, Plugins and Themes on Your WordPress Site?
Keeping your WordPress site up-to-date is non-negotiable for maintaining security, stability, and performance. WordPress core, themes, and plugins are constantly evolving, with regular updates to add new features, fix bugs and patch vulnerabilities.
You have two main options for updates: manual updates on an ad-hoc basis or enabling auto updates in the background to keep your website up to date without constant intervention.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of enabling auto updates for your WordPress core, themes, and plugins, and how to do it safely.
Understanding WordPress Updates
Updates are vital for a secure and stable WordPress site but they are not all the same. Understanding the different types of updates, and how they are interconnected from each other is crucial.
Core Updates: Major vs. Minor
- Major Updates: Significant changes, new features, and potential breaking changes (e.g., 6.7 to 6.8). These require careful consideration.
- Minor Updates: Bug fixes, security patches, and minor improvements (e.g., 6.7.1 to 6.7.2). These are less disruptive and essential for security.
Plugins & Themes
Plugins and themes are equally important. Regular updates are critical because they don’t undergo the same scrutiny as core updates and can introduce bugs or security flaws more frequently.
Update Right Order
Plugins and themes rely on each other and on the WordPress core. Updating one without updating others can lead to compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. To minimize risks, follow the initialization process of WordPress in the reverse order, namely:
- Themes first
- Then regular plugins
- Followed by must-use plugins if any
- And finally WordPress core
This order helps prevent conflicts during the update process.
Pros and Cons of Enabling Auto Updates
Security
When a vulnerability is discovered, it’s a race against time to patch it before it’s exploited by malicious bots scanning the entire web. With auto updates, patches are applied as soon as available, significantly reducing the window of vulnerability.
Stability and Longevity
Regular updates help maintain the stability of your site. Outdated components can lead to compatibility issues and other problems that affect performance. When updates are automated, you’re more likely to stay on top of them, extending the lifespan of your site. This consistent upkeep helps prevent the accumulation of technical debt, making your site easier to manage in the long run.
Convenience and Time-Saving
Auto updates save you time and effort. You don’t have to manually check for updates or apply them. This convenience allows you to focus on creating valuable content or enjoying life rather than worrying about the technical aspects of website maintenance.
Cons
However, auto updates aren’t without risks. You might miss unexpected changes or conflicts that arise during the update process. If an update fails or causes an error, it may go unnoticed for a period, potentially causing problems for the website such as design glitches, non-working functionalities or, in worse cases, crashed websites.
Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate these risks, implement a few key strategies. Be sure to have a robust backup and recovery plan in place to quickly restore your site if something goes wrong. Regularly monitor your website’s performance to catch any issues early. If your website is crucial to your activity, consider subscribing to a maintenance plan to maintain and monitor your website.
These steps ensure that you can enjoy the benefits of auto updates while minimizing potential downsides.
Conclusion
Enabling auto updates for themes, plugins, and minor core updates is essential for a secure, stable site. While there are risks, the benefits of improved security and stability outweigh them.
Consider the burden of a hacked website in terms of restoration time and cost, the legal consequences of data leaks, and reputational damage to you or you brand versus some small design glitches than could appear once in a while.
To mitigate concerns, have a backup plan, monitor performance, and consider a maintenance plan. In today’s fast-paced online world, auto updates are a necessity, not a luxury. Enable them to safeguard your site, have peace of mind and focus on creating valuable content or just enjoy your time away from keyboard.