There may be times when a WordPress update introduces bugs or conflicts with your themes and plugins. In such cases, downgrading to a previous version can be a quick fix until a compatible update is released. This article will walk you through how to safely downgrade your WordPress version using a plugin — without breaking your site.

Let’s get started.

🔍 Step 1: Check Your Current WordPress Version

Before downgrading, it’s essential to know which version you’re currently using.

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to Tools → Site Health.
3. Click the “Info” tab.
4. Scroll to the WordPress section to find your current version (e.g., 6.6.2).

🔧 Step 2: Install the “WP Downgrade” Plugin

To downgrade safely, we’ll use a plugin called WP Downgrade | Specific Core Version.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
2. In the search bar, type “WP Downgrade”.
3. Look for the plugin named:
   • WP Downgrade | Specific Core Version by Reisetiger
4. Click Install and then Activate the plugin.

📥 Step 3: Configure the Downgrade Settings

Once the plugin is activated:

1. Go to Settings → WP Downgrade.
2. You’ll be taken to the plugin’s configuration screen.
3. In the Current WordPress Version field, you’ll see your installed version (e.g., 6.6.2).
4. To downgrade, you need the version number you want to switch to.
   • Click the link labeled “WP Releases” to access the full list of available WordPress versions:
     https://wordpress.org/download/releases/
   • Find your desired version (e.g., 6.5.5), then copy that version number.
5. Paste the copied version number into the Target Version box in the plugin settings.
6. Click Save Changes.

⬇️ Step 4: Start the Downgrade Process

Once the target version is saved:

1. Click “Downgrade Core”.
2. Then, click “Re-install” when prompted.

WordPress will now begin reinstalling the selected version. This may take a few moments.

✅ Step 5: Verify the Downgrade

Once the installation completes:

1. Go back to Tools → Site Health → Info → WordPress.
2. Confirm that your site now shows the new (older) version (e.g., 6.5.5).
3. Visit the front end of your site to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

🔒 Important: Always Back Up First

Before performing any core update or downgrade, it’s strongly recommended to back up your full WordPress website — including your database and files — using tools like:

• UpdraftPlus
• All-in-One WP Migration
• Duplicator

This gives you a fallback option in case anything goes wrong during the downgrade.

🎉 Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve now successfully downgraded your WordPress version without any risk to your site. This method is simple, safe, and ideal when you encounter plugin/theme compatibility issues after an update.

If you’re troubleshooting bugs or regressions introduced by a newer version of WordPress, this technique can buy you time until a stable fix or update becomes available.

Tags: WordPress, WP downgrade, WordPress downgrade tutorial, WordPress version control, WP core, plugin tutorial, website maintenance, WordPress troubleshooting
Hashtags: #WordPress #WPDowngrade #WordPressTips #WebsiteMaintenance #WPPlugin #TechTutorial #WPHelp #WebsiteTroubleshooting

Rakesh Bhardwaj

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a seasoned editor and designer with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He specializes in crafting visually compelling and professionally polished content, blending precision with creativity. Whether refining written work or designing impactful visuals, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of layout, typography, and narrative flow to every project he undertakes.

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