How Often Should You Update WordPress Plugins?

If you’ve ever hesitated to hit “Update” on a WordPress plugin, you’re not alone. Many website owners delay updates out of fear something might break. But delaying too long can leave your site vulnerable to security threats and performance issues. So the question stands: how often should you update WordPress plugins?

While the immediate answer might be “as soon as an update is available,” a more nuanced, data-driven approach can help you optimize your workflow and minimize potential disruptions. Let’s dive into what the data suggests.

Let’s take a closer look—backed by data when possible, best practices, and our real-world experience from managing WordPress sites across Canada and beyond.

Why Update WordPress Plugins Matter

WordPress plugins extend the functionality of your site, from SEO tools to booking systems. But with great power comes great responsibility. Each plugin can also become a weak spot if it’s not regularly maintained.

According to Sucuri’s 2023 Website Threat Report, 13.97% of compromised websites had at least one vulnerable plugin or theme at the time of remediation. That stat alone should be a wake-up call for site owners.

Regular Manual Updates vs. Automatic Updates

When it comes to managing WordPress plugin updates, website owners typically face a trade-off between manual updates and automatic updates—each with its own pros and cons.

Manual updates give you full control over when and how updates are applied. This is particularly useful if your site includes custom development, unique theme integrations, or a complex stack of plugins that might conflict with one another. With manual updates, you have the opportunity to review changelogs, test updates on a staging site, and ensure everything continues to function as expected before applying changes to your live environment. The downside? It requires time, technical knowledge, and a consistent routine.

Automatic updates, on the other hand, are convenient and help ensure your plugins stay current without any action on your part. This is especially useful for small websites or non-technical users who might not log in regularly. However, the convenience comes with risks. If a plugin update contains a bug, a compatibility issue, or introduces a breaking change, it could cause part—or all—of your site to malfunction. You might not even notice the issue until users start reporting problems.

The Case for Immediate Updates: Security First

The most compelling reason for frequent updates is security. Plugin vulnerabilities are a common entry point for malicious actors. Developers regularly release updates to patch these security flaws.

In the 2022 vulnerability data study by Solid WP shows 23 core vulnerabilities represent 1% of the total number of vulnerabilities tracked (1,779) in 2022. That means plugins and themes are responsible for 99% (1,756) of all vulnerabilities.

The “Wait and See” Approach: Proceed with Caution

While immediate updates offer significant advantages, some users adopt a more cautious “wait and see” approach. Their reasoning often includes:

• Fear of Conflicts: Occasionally, a plugin update can introduce conflicts with other plugins or your theme, potentially breaking your site.
• Lack of Time for Immediate Testing: Thoroughly testing updates on a live site can be time-consuming.

Beyond Security: Performance and Compatibility

Updates aren’t just about security; they often include:

• Performance Improvements: Developers constantly refine their code for better efficiency. Updates can lead to faster loading times and reduced resource consumption.
• Bug Fixes: No software is perfect. Updates address bugs and glitches that can impact your site’s functionality and user experience.
• New Features and Compatibility: Updates ensure your plugins remain compatible with the latest WordPress core version and other plugins, and they might even introduce valuable new features.

Before you update any plugin, take a moment to read the release notes carefully. These notes—usually visible in your WordPress dashboard or on the plugin’s page—outline what has changed: bug fixes, new features, performance improvements, or major code changes. This is especially important when a major update (e.g., version 5.0 to 6.0) is released, as it may introduce significant changes that could affect your site’s functionality, custom code, or theme compatibility. In those cases, extra caution is advised—test on a staging site if possible before applying the update to your live site.

Finding Your Rhythm. A dynamic approach

Instead of a rigid schedule, consider a more dynamic approach based on the following:

1. Prioritize Security Updates: Security-related updates should be applied as soon as reasonably possible. Many plugins will clearly indicate if an update addresses a security vulnerability.
2. Regularly Monitor Plugin Changelogs: Pay attention to what each update includes. If it’s primarily bug fixes or new features that don’t directly impact your site, you might have a little more leeway.
3. Implement a Staging Environment: This is crucial. Before applying any updates to your live site, test them thoroughly in a staging environment that mirrors your production setup.
4. Establish a Regular Maintenance Schedule: Set aside dedicated time each week or month to review and apply plugin updates. This proactive approach prevents updates from piling up.
5. Consider Automatic Updates (with Caution): WordPress offers automatic updates for plugins. While convenient, especially for minor updates, it’s wise to enable this selectively and still monitor your site regularly. For major updates, manual testing in a staging environment is generally recommended.
6. Track Your Update History: Keep a record of when you updated which plugins. This can be helpful for troubleshooting if issues arise.

What If You Use Dozens of Plugins?

If your site has 20+ plugins (which is not uncommon), updating them all at once can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to manage it:

• Use a staging site to test updates before going live
• Prioritize security-related plugins (like firewalls or login protection)
• Remove any unused or inactive plugins—these are a risk even if not active
• Use a tool or service that automates backups and updates (like what we offer in our WordPress maintenance plans). At Accentio, we don’t just apply updates blindly – we follow a proven process that includes creating a full backup before any changes, and then testing your website after each plugin update to ensure everything continues to function smoothly. This proactive approach helps prevent downtime, broken layouts, or compatibility issues, so you can focus on your business with complete peace of mind.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Ignoring Updates and the Consequences. Many site owners delay updates, which makes their sites vulnerable. Data shows that outdated plugins are a common cause of security breaches. Regularly applying updates lowers this risk significantly.
• Over-Updating Without Testing. Updating too often without testing can break your site. It’s like fixing something that isn’t broken. Balance is key—test on staging before updating live.
• Not Backing Up Before Updates. Always back up your site first. If something goes wrong, backups let you restore quickly. Use reliable backup plugins and schedule regular backups to avoid data loss.

Don’t Let Fear Stop You

Outdated plugins are the most common entry point for hackers, but they’re also one of the easiest things to fix – if you’re proactive.

If you’re wondering how often should you update WordPress plugins, the short answer is: weekly. The long answer? It depends on your setup – but consistency is key.

Need help staying on top of updates? Let us do the heavy lifting. With Accentio’s WordPress care plans, plugin updates are part of your stress-free website management—complete with backups, reports, and peace of mind.

👉 Check out our plans now