What to Do If Your Theme Breaks After an Update
It’s frustrating when your site suddenly looks “off” or broken after updating a theme. This is a common issue but usually easy to fix:
1. Clear Your Cache
- Caching plugins or browser cache may load an old version.
- Clear your site cache (via plugin or host), and refresh the page.
2. Restore a Backup
- Always keep a backup before updates. If you have one, restore it via your hosting panel or backup plugin (like UpdraftPlus).
3. Use the WP Rollback Plugin
- If the new theme update caused issues, install WP Rollback.
- This lets you revert to an earlier version of the theme in a click.
4. Switch to a Default Theme Temporarily
- Go to Appearance > Themes and activate a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four).
- If your site looks fine, the issue is likely with the theme you updated.
5. Contact the Theme Developer
- Check the theme’s official support page or forum.
- Developers often release hotfixes or provide guidance for compatibility issues.
Final Tips
- Use a staging site for testing updates before applying them on your live site.
- Keep plugins and WordPress core updated, as outdated elements often clash with theme updates.
- If you rely heavily on design, consider switching to a well-supported theme like Astra, GeneratePress, or Kadence.