From time to time, WordPress plugin developers release new versions of their plugins. These new versions may be released to fix problems with the plugin, add new functionality, or make use of new features in the latest version of WordPress. Whatever the reason, you can expect to upgrade at least a couple of your plugins over the course of using WordPress.
You can upgrade plugins two easy ways: automatically and manually. Additionally, WordPress tells you which plugins need upgrading, as shown in Figure 2-8.
In the latest version of WordPress, upgrading plugins is easier than ever before. On the Dashboard, a new WordPress Updates page (DashboardUpdates) shows all available updates and includes an Update Plugins button for upgrading plugins with one click, as shown in Figure 2-9.
Here's how to upgrade your plugins automatically:
If plugin upgrades are available, a number in a dark circle appears on the Plugins menu, as shown in Figure 2-10.
After the upgrade, the “Plugin Reactivated Successfully” message displays.
If you see anything other than a successful message, you need to follow the support instructions on the Plugin page found in the WordPress Plugin Directory (on the Plugins page, find the plugin you need support for and then click the Visit plugin site link — that will take you directly to the plugin page in the WordPress Plugins Directory). This may include a FAQ tab or a Support link. Always make note of any error messages you see.
The steps to upgrade a plugin manually are similar to upgrading a plugin automatically, requiring FTP access to the server where your WordPress installation is hosted.
You should see a folder with the same name as the plugin you want to upgrade.
Any memorable name, such as plugin-old should suffice.
If you made any changes to the configuration files of your plugin before your upgrade, you need to make those changes again after the upgrade. If you need to back out of the upgrade, you can just delete the new plugin directory and rename the folder from plugin-old to plugin.