A WordPress update brings you the newest features and the latest security fixes. It usually takes a minute or two, and WordPress does almost all of the work for you.

## Before you start

- An administrator account. Only administrators see the update buttons.
- A recent backup of your site. Most hosting companies can make one for you in a few clicks.
- A quiet moment. Your site shows visitors a short maintenance message while it updates.

## Steps

### Step 1: Open the Updates screen

Sign in to your site and look at the left-hand menu. Click **Dashboard**, then click **Updates**. When a new version is ready, you can also click **Please update now** in the notice at the top of your dashboard.

![Open the Updates screen](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA2MzYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--67548ba11981073fc69d4620090f90c934bf8f1e/block_open-updates-screen.png)

### Step 2: Check for a new version

The Updates screen tells you which version you're running and which one is ready to install. If it has been a while since the last check, click **Check again.** to ask for the newest release.

![Check for a new version](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA2MzMsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--9acf3052a7d1d7799d0c17dbe1786dbe70e608e3/block_check-for-updates.png)

### Step 3: Start the update

Click **Update to version 7.2** and WordPress takes it from there. It downloads the new version and installs it for you, so stay on the page until it finishes.

![Start the update](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA2MzgsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--8ca5dab50d4aff9a5d2765d2af80987a1e567517/step_2.png)

### Step 4: Let WordPress update itself

WordPress already installs security and maintenance releases on its own, so the small fixes reach you without you lifting a finger. To let it install every new version, major releases included, click **Enable automatic updates for all new versions of WordPress** on the Updates screen. You can change your mind whenever you like.

![Let WordPress update itself](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA2MzksInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--ca8ca94e53aa437fd776d50e96e9c6b96460d95a/step_3.png)

### Step 5: Wait for the update to finish

WordPress shows you each step as it works through the update. Once you see **WordPress updated successfully.**, the new version is live and your site is open again.

![Wait for the update to finish](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA2MzUsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--5d4a387cbaa8b4b3e4677d53e9d713521b96ac2f/block_wait-for-the-update.png)

## Tips

- The same screen lists updates for your themes, plugins and translations. Those install separately from WordPress itself.
- If your dashboard says **You have the latest version of WordPress.**, there's nothing to do — you're already up to date.
- Updating is safest right after a backup. If anything looks wrong afterwards, restore that backup and try again.

## Summary

That's the whole job — WordPress downloads the new version and installs it while you watch. Come back to Dashboard → Updates any time you want to check again.