Shop updates carry more risk than ordinary site updates, because breakage costs sales.
BEFORE UPDATING
Take a full backup, files and database Check the changelog for anything marked as a breaking change Note which extensions you run and whether they support the new version Avoid updating during your busiest hours
THE ORDER
- Back up.
- Update WooCommerce extensions first.
- Update WooCommerce itself.
- Update the theme.
- Run the database update if prompted.
AFTER UPDATING
Test the full journey: browse, add to cart, checkout, pay, and confirm the emails arrive. Do not assume; a broken checkout can go unnoticed for a day and cost every sale in it.
Check WooCommerce > Status for warnings.
MAJOR VERSIONS
Test on a staging copy first. Softaculous can clone the site to a subdomain, and an hour of testing is cheaper than a broken checkout.
IF SOMETHING BREAKS
Restore the backup, or deactivate the extension that caused it by renaming its folder in File Manager.
