How to Downgrade a WordPress Plugin to a Previous Version

Sometimes, after updating a plugin to the latest version, you may experience an unexpected error or compatibility issue.

In this situation, you can temporarily downgrade the plugin to a previous stable version until the issue is resolved.

Before you downgrade the plugin

Before making any changes:

1. Take a complete backup of your website.
2. Note the currently installed plugin version.
3. Deactivate any website caching.
4. Test the downgrade on a staging website when possible.

Download a previous plugin version

Follow these steps to download an older version from your account:

1. Log in to your plugin account.
2. Go to My Account.
3. Open My Dashboard.
4. Select Downloads.
5. Find the required plugin.
6. Choose the previous stable version from the available versions.
7. Download the plugin ZIP file to your computer.

Replace the current plugin version

Once you have downloaded the older version:

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Find the plugin you want to downgrade.
4. Deactivate the plugin.
5. Delete the currently installed plugin.

Deleting the plugin files normally does not remove the plugin settings or saved data. However, creating a backup is strongly recommended.

Install the previous version

1. Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
2. Click Upload Plugin.
3. Select the downloaded ZIP file.
4. Click Install Now.
5. Activate the plugin after installation.

Verify the plugin version

After activating the plugin:

1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
2. Confirm that the previous version is installed.
3. Test the plugin’s main features.
4. Check whether the original error is resolved.

Prevent automatic updates

If automatic updates are enabled, WordPress may update the plugin again.

Temporarily disable automatic updates for the plugin until the compatibility issue is fixed.

Important note

Downgrading should usually be a temporary solution. Older plugin versions may not include the latest security fixes, compatibility updates, or improvements.

Contact the plugin support team and share the error details so they can investigate the issue before you update again.