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Knowledge / Website Maintenance

How Often Should I Update WordPress Plugins?

Answered by Arslan Ijaz, Survyc
Updated November 11, 2026
1 min read
Short answer

Install plugin updates that fix security problems as soon as you have tested them, and other plugin updates once a month. Always take a backup first and, for a business site, test updates on a staging copy, because an untested update is the most common way a working WordPress site breaks.

Should I turn on automatic updates?

Since WordPress 5.5 you can turn on auto-updates plugin by plugin. It suits small, simple plugins. For page builders, WooCommerce, and payment or booking plugins, auto-updates can break the site without anyone noticing, so update those by hand after testing.

What is a safe update routine?

  1. Take a full backup.
  2. Update on a staging copy first.
  3. Check the homepage, forms, and checkout.
  4. Update the live site, then check the same pages again.

What if a plugin has no updates?

A plugin with no updates for a year or more may be abandoned. Abandoned plugins stop getting security fixes, so replace them with a maintained alternative.

Recommended services

WordPress maintenanceUpdates tested on staging, restore-tested backups, and monitoring.Learn more →Monthly website maintenance packagesEssential Care at $99 or Growth Care at $299 a month, or build your own package.Learn more →WordPress bug fixesErrors, white screens, and conflicts found and fixed on staging.Learn more →

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