cPanel - Website Management Ops - Updating WordPress core, plugins, and themes (best practices)

Using the WordPress Manager by Softaculous in cPanel is one of the safest ways to manage updates because it allows you to perform "outside-in" maintenance. This means you can back up and update your site without even logging into the WordPress admin dashboard, which is helpful if a plugin update ever locks you out. 

Create a "Safety Net" Backup

Before touching any updates, use Softaculous to create a manual restore point.

Log in to cPanel and open WordPress Manager by Softaculous.

Locate your site and click the down arrow icon to expand the details.

Ensure both Backup Directory and Backup Database are checked.

Click Backup Installation.

Tip: If something breaks later, you can restore this in one click from the "Backups" tab in the top menu.

Recommended Manual Update Order

Softaculous allows you to update components individually, which is a best practice to avoid conflicts.

Plugins First: Click on Manage Plugins. Update them one at a time by clicking the circular arrow icon. If the site still loads, move to the next.

Themes Second: Click Manage Themes. Update your active theme.

Core Last: If a core update is available, you will see a blue "Upgrade Now" button next to the version number. Click this only after your plugins and themes are verified as current. 

You should leave the Auto Upgrade options as disabled for Plugins, Themes and Auto Upgrade WordPress Core and manually update each as needed.