How to Check and Upgrade WordPress Version Safely

#wordpress #webdev #php #tutorial

Let me be direct: if you’re running an outdated version of WordPress right now, your site is a liability. I’m not trying to sound dramatic, but I’ve seen what happens when a critical vulnerability is discovered while someone is still using an older WordPress release. It isn’t pretty, hacked redirects, injected malware, and SEO rankings disappearing overnight. That’s why it’s essential to upgrade WordPress version regularly. Keeping your site up to date is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect its security, performance, and stability.

The good news is that checking and upgrading your WordPress version is not complicated. There are multiple ways to do it, from a point-and-click dashboard to command-line tools for the automation-inclined. The method you choose doesn’t matter as much as the habit itself. What matters is that you actually do it.

This guide walks you through every way to check your current WordPress version and every way to upgrade it, including the ServerAvatar WordPress Toolkit for those who prefer not to touch code at all. I will also walk you through what to do before you upgrade, because skipping that step is the mistake most people make.

TL;DR

Why it matters: Outdated WordPress is the #1 entry point for site hacks
Check your version: Dashboard footer, source code, version.php file, WP-CLI, or ServerAvatar WordPress Toolkit
Upgrade options: One-click WordPress admin dashboard, WP-CLI, or ServerAvatar WordPress Toolkit
Never upgrade without a backup first
Test on staging before touching production

Why WordPress Version Updates Matter

WordPress ships major releases roughly three to four times a year, with security patches dropping even more frequently. Nowadays, the threat landscape has only intensified; automated exploit kits now actively scan for known vulnerabilities in outdated WordPress installations within hours of a patch being released. If you’re not updating, you’re leaving the door open.

But it’s not just about security. Newer WordPress versions bring meaningful performance improvements. WordPress 6.4 and 6.5 introduced significant query optimization and reduced database overhead. Staying current means your site runs faster without you having to do anything else. New block editor features, improved media handling, and accessibility improvements all stack up over time.

There’s also the compatibility angle. Plugin and theme developers follow WordPress core releases closely. The moment a popular plugin drops support for an older version, you either update WordPress or you lose access to that plugin’s updates, a forced choice nobody wants to make under pressure.

How to Check Your Current WordPress Version

You would think this is obvious, but I have worked with site owners who had no idea they were running WordPress 5.8 on a 2026 server. Here are the ways to check, from easiest to most technical.

1. Check from the WordPress Dashboard

This is the fastest method and requires no tools beyond your browser.

Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
Scroll to the Home section in the WordPress admin dashboard. You can see the version in the “At a Glance” widget.
It looks subtle, but that’s your answer.