Updating WordPress without FTP access is achievable through a couple of primary methods:
1. WordPress Admin Dashboard (Automatic Updates):
This is the simplest and most common method. When a new WordPress core version, plugin, or theme update is available, a notification will typically appear in your WordPress admin dashboard (e.g., in the “Updates” section or a banner at the top of the dashboard).
- Core Updates:Navigate to Dashboard > Updates. If a new WordPress version is available, you will see an “Update Now” button. Clicking this button initiates the automatic update process. Your site might enter maintenance mode briefly during the update.
- Plugin & Theme Updates:In the same “Updates” section, you can select individual plugins or themes that have available updates and click the “Update” button to update them.
2. Modifying wp-config.php for Direct File System Access:
If WordPress consistently prompts for FTP credentials during updates or installations, even when using the dashboard, it often indicates a file permissions issue or a setting that prevents direct file system access. You can address this by adding a line to your wp-config.php file:
- Access
wp-config.php:You will need to access your site’s files through your hosting provider’s control panel (e.g., cPanel’s File Manager) as you cannot use FTP. - Add the Code:Locate the
wp-config.phpfile in the root directory of your WordPress installation. Open it for editing and add the following line of code:
Code
define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');Place this line before the /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ line.
- Save and Upload: Save the changes to
wp-config.phpand upload it back to your server (or save directly if editing in a file manager).
This setting tells WordPress to use direct file system methods for updates and installations, bypassing the need for FTP credentials. Ensure your file and folder permissions are correctly set (typically folders to 755 and files to 644) for this method to work effectively.
