How to Reinstall WordPress Core

Reinstalling the WordPress core can help resolve various issues, including corrupted files or problems after updates. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to safely reinstall WordPress core files:

Method 1: Using the WordPress Admin Dashboard

1. Backup Your Site:

• Before making any changes, back up your entire WordPress site, including files and the database. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy for this.

1. Log in to Your WordPress Admin:

• Go to your WordPress admin dashboard by navigating to yourwebsite.com/wp-admin.

1. Go to the Updates Page:

• In the left sidebar, click on Dashboard > Updates.

1. Reinstall Now:

• On the Updates page, you will see the option to reinstall WordPress. Click the Reinstall Now button.
• WordPress will download the latest version and replace the core files while preserving your themes, plugins, and content.

1. Check Your Site:

• Once the reinstallation is complete, visit your site to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Method 2: Manual Reinstallation via FTP

If you cannot access your admin dashboard or prefer a manual method, you can reinstall WordPress using FTP:

1. Backup Your Site:

• Again, ensure you back up your site before proceeding.

1. Download WordPress:

• Go to the WordPress.org download page and download the latest version of WordPress.

1. Extract the Zip File:

• Extract the downloaded ZIP file to your computer. You will have a folder named wordpress containing all the core files.

1. Connect to Your Website via FTP:

• Use an FTP client like FileZilla to connect to your web server. You will need your FTP credentials, which you can usually find in your hosting account.

1. Upload the Files:

• Navigate to the directory where WordPress is installed (usually the root directory, often named public_html).
• Upload the contents of the extracted wordpress folder to your server. Make sure not to upload the wordpress folder itself, but rather its contents (like wp-admin, wp-includes, and other files).

1. Overwrite Existing Files:

• When prompted, choose to overwrite existing files. This will replace the core WordPress files while keeping your themes, plugins, and media intact.

1. Check File Permissions:

• Ensure that the file permissions for your wp-content directory remain intact to avoid issues with uploads and plugin functionality.

1. Visit Your Site:

• After the upload is complete, go to your website and check if everything is working properly.

9. Check for Errors:

• If you encounter any issues, check your site’s error logs (if enabled) or review the wp-config.php file for any misconfigurations.

Conclusion

Reinstalling the WordPress core is generally a safe process that should not affect your content or settings. However, always ensure you have a complete backup before proceeding. If you experience further issues after reinstallation, consider checking plugin conflicts or server configurations.