Restore WordPress Site to Previous Date: 5 Easy Ways

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restore wordpress site to previous date

When your WordPress site crashes, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a full-blown crisis! Key pages go AWOL, essential content disappears, and this disruption sends shockwaves across your operation. Frustrated customers flood your inbox, and traffic and engagement take a nosedive.

Every minute your site remains down translates to lost opportunities and revenue. Anxiety mounts with each passing second, knowing a prolonged outage can tarnish your brand’s reputation. Loyal customers may lose trust, and new visitors might never return.

But what if you need to restore your site to a specific date, not just bring it back online? Maybe you’ve made changes that didn’t go as planned or updated plugins that wreaked havoc. Before restoring, it’s always good to check your WordPress version to ensure compatibility with any backups or plugins you plan to use.
Restoring to a particular date provides the ability to reset your site to a time before things went wrong.

Here’s the good news: it is easier than you might think. With a straightforward, step-by-step guide, you can quickly restore WordPress Site to Previous date.This ensures swift recovery of your content and functionality, giving you back control and keeping your visitors reassured.

TL;DR: Effortlessly restore your website to a previous date using BlogVault, an automated backup and restore solution. BlogVault makes WordPress site backups effortless, making recovery swift and easy.

Here are five easy ways to restore WordPress site to previous date:

A. Using a backup plugin (RECOMMENDED)

If you are a BlogVault customer, restoring your WordPress site is a walk in the park. With BlogVault, you can revert your site to a previous date with just a few clicks, minimizing downtime and hassle. Here’s how to get it done:

Step 1: Locate your backups 

Log in to your BlogVault dashboard and head over to the site overview section. Within the site overview, find the Backup card and click on the Restore button.

Login to BlogVault and Initiate the restore process

Step 2: Initiate the restore process

Once you’ve clicked on the Restore button, you’ll be prompted to select a backup and a PHP version. Make sure that the backup version you choose matches the date you want to restore your site to. Double-check this to ensure accuracy. Click on Continue, and in a few minutes, your site will be restored to a previous date.

Choose backup version and restore

The BlogVault advantage above all other methods in this article is the availability of backups for 90 days. The lowest tier has a minimum of 90 days, and it is also extendable to 365 days for good measure. Therefore, BlogVault gives you the maximum flexibility when you want to restore WordPress site to previous date.  

B. Using web host backups

Another effective way to recover your WordPress site is by using your web host’s backups. Many web hosts include site backups as part of their hosting packages, so if your host offers this feature, you can bring your site back from the brink.

For example, WP Engine backups are available for 60 days. After this period, backups are deleted. If you need access to a backup older than 60 days, you can contact WP Engine’s customer support, although there is no guarantee of a backup. 

Here’s how to use WP Engine’s backups to restore WordPress Site to Previous date:

Step 1: Access your backups

Access your backups from the Production panel of your WP Engine site dashboard. Find the backup you want to restore by browsing through the dates, and clicking on the three dots next to it. Then, click on the Restore button.

Access backups in WP Engine dashboard and select restore
Access backups in WP Engine dashboard and select restore

Step 2: Start the restore process

You will be prompted to select the type of restore you want to perform. If you need a complete restore, select Yes under the Restore with database option. If you only need your files restored, click No. Once you’ve made your selection, click on the Restore button. Your website will be restored, and you will receive a notification once the process is complete.

Select restore type and click Restore button to restore website

Just to be absolutely clear, unless your web host guarantees backups as a part of your hosting package, do not rely on web host backups as a rule. Even if they do backup their servers regularly as a part of their maintenance, retrieving your site’s specific backup may be challenging and time-consuming. Therefore, please always have a primary backup plan for your WordPress sites, apart from web host backups. 

C. Restore WordPress Site To Previous Date Manually

Restoring your WordPress site manually is also an option if you have a copy of your site’s files and database from a specific date or even an archive of your site. It is not a very practical option, because restoring WordPress sites manually is a fraught exercise, but it could well be the only avenue available. 

This process involves two main steps: restoring your files and your database separately using an FTP client and phpMyAdmin.

Note: Check with your web host for phpMyAdmin access. For example, you can find your phpMyAdmin account on WP Engine right next to the WP Admin button. Alternatively, you can find an icon via cPanel as well. 

1. Put the site into maintenance mode

Before restoring your site to a previous date, it is wise to put it into maintenance mode first. This serves two purposes: 

  1. Site users cannot make changes to the site while it is being restored. This minimizes the chances of errors during the restoration process. 
  2. As the site is being restored, things may change unpredictably on the site’s front end. This is a poor experience for visitors and easily avoided with a preemptive sign saying that the site is undergoing some maintenance work. 

2. Restore files

Step 1: Connect to your site using an FTP client

Connect the FTP client to your server using the login details from your hosting provider. For this article, we will be using Cyberduck.

Establish FTP Client Connection

Step 2: Replace the existing root folder

Navigate to your root folder (usually named public_html or www) and replace all existing files with your backup files by right-clicking and selecting Upload.

replace all existing files with your backup files by right-clicking and selecting 'Upload'

Note: You can also do this via cPanel’s File Manager by following the same steps if the option is made available to you by your hosting provider.

3. Restore database

The next step is to restore a backup of your site’s database.

Step 1: Access phpMyAdmin

Access your site’s phpMyAdmin dashboard directly from your browser or through your site’s dashboard on your web host.

Step 2: Drop the existing database

Navigate to the Databases tab and click on your site’s database. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Check all box. From the With selected: drop-down menu, select the option that says, Drop.

Login to phpmyadmin and select database
From the drop down menu select drop

Step 3: Start the import process

Navigate to the Import tab and upload your database file. Scroll down and set the Format to match your file type—this is usually SQL, which is the most common format. Next, click the Import button to restore your database.

Start the Import process
Select format SQL

Once both the files and the database are restored, your site should be back to the state it was in at the time of the backup. However,If you’ve lost individual pages along the way, you can also explore options to recover deleted pages to restore your site’s complete functionality.

D. Using the Wayback Machine

If any of the above options are unavailable to you, the Wayback Machine can be one of your final resorts. This archival tool captures snapshots of websites over time, giving you a chance to go back to your previous content. 

If you’re resorting to this method, it likely means you don’t have access to your website’s admin panel. So, you’ll need to start by creating a fresh WordPress installation and proceed from there. Make sure to install the correct version of WordPress for your site to make this process as successfully as possible.

Here are the steps to go about it:

Step 1: Search for your site 

Open the Wayback Machine website in your browser. Add your website’s URL to the search bar at the top of the page, then press Enter.

wayback machine home page

Note: Keep in mind that not all sites will be archived and, even if a site is archived, you may not find all the pages.

Wayback machine Error

Step 2: Select the timeline

If your site was archived, you’ll see a calendar view displaying the specific archival dates. Click on a particular date to view a snapshot of your site from that time. Next, browse the archived version of your site to find the content you need. 

wayback machine calendar timeline

Step 3: Copy and store content

Open each page and manually copy the visible textual content. Paste this copied text into a text editor or directly into your WordPress editor for safekeeping and further use. 

Step 4: Create a new post/page 

Log into your WordPress dashboard, go to Add New under Posts or Pages, and name it to match the original title. Insert the copied text into the content area of the new post or page.

Step 5: Recover and upload images

From the cached snapshot, save images to your device. Upload them to the new page or post on your website, arranging them in the same manner as they were originally.

Step 6: Reapply themes and plugins 

Manually search for the themes and plugins you previously used. Reinstall and activate them accordingly.

Note: Always take backups to avoid feeling like you’re trying to fix a shattered vase with tape. It’s much easier (and less stressful) to prevent a disaster in the first place!

E. Using search engine caches

If the Wayback Machine couldn’t save the day, don’t lose hope just yet. Search engine caches may just come to your rescue. Here’s how you can use Google web cache to restore WordPress site to previous date:

Step 1: Access the cached page 

Copy and paste this URL into your browser, replacing “https://user.com/” with your website’s URL:

`http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://user.com/`

search engine cache date

Step 3: Copy and store content

Manually copy the visible text from the cached page and paste it into a text editor or directly into your WordPress editor for safekeeping.

Step 4: Create a new post/page 

Log into your WordPress dashboard, go to Add New under Posts or Pages, and rename it to match the original title. Paste the recovered text into the content area of the new page or post and arrange it accordingly.

Step 5: Recover and upload images

Save images from the cached snapshot to your device. Then, upload them to the new page or post on your website, arranging them as they were originally.

Step 6: Reapply themes and plugins 

Manually search for the themes and plugins you were using, then reapply and activate them.

Why are regular backups essential?

Now that you’ve navigated the rollercoaster of restoring your WordPress site to a previous date—and possibly jumped through more hoops than you ever wanted to—you probably realize just how crucial daily backups are. But if you’re still on the fence, let’s break down why regular backups are indispensable:

Minimize downtime

Regular backups allow for quick restoration, minimizing the time your site spends offline. Faster recovery means less disruption to your business, better continuity, and a consistently functional website that keeps rolling. This builds and retains customer trust, demonstrating professionalism and a commitment to reliability.

Data security

Backups protect against data loss from potential hacking, malware, or ransomware attacks. They ensure that your content remains safe even if your site gets compromised.

Human error

“Oops” moments happen. Accidental deletions or changes can be reversed easily by restoring a recent backup. This is a lifesaver when mistakes happen during updates or content management.

Updates and changes

Regular backups safeguard against failed updates or compatibility issues with themes, plugins, or the WordPress core. They provide a fallback option when new installations or updates cause problems.

Peace of mind

Knowing you have a reliable backup reduces stress and anxiety about potential site issues. It’s like having a safety net below a tightrope. It gives you the confidence that you can recover quickly without losing content or data.

Efficiency in recovery

Backup plugins promise a faster, more efficient recovery process compared to piecing everything together manually. This avoids the need to scramble and piece content from various sources, saving you time and headaches.

Version control

Regular backups offer the luxury of reverting to previous versions if new changes go awry. They also keep a record of different site iterations for reference or rollback.

Cost-effectiveness

Backups help prevent potential financial losses associated with prolonged downtime or data loss. Investing in a good backup solution like BlogVault can save money by averting the need for costly recovery services.

Disaster preparedness

Backups ensure your site data is safe in case of physical damage to your server or hosting environment. They help you recover from natural disasters, hardware failures, or other unforeseen events.

By now, you’ve probably seen firsthand why having a regular backup routine isn’t just advisable—it’s essential. Not having to scramble for cached pages or rely on outdated archives can make all the difference in keeping your website running smoothly and keeping your sanity intact. 

Preventing future site issues

With the chaos of restoring your WordPress site behind you, let’s make sure you don’t have to go through that again. Preventing future issues is crucial for maintaining a smooth, reliable, and secure website. By adopting best practices for site maintenance and being aware of common pitfalls, you can keep your site running like a well-oiled machine.

Regular updates

Stay ahead of the curve! Keeping WordPress, themes, and plugins updated to the latest versions is a must. Enable automatic updates where possible, so you don’t miss out on critical patches. Regular updates improve functionality and patch security holes, keeping your site safe and sound.

Scheduled backups

Don’t let your backup routine slack. Implement automatic daily backups with BlogVault to ensure you always have a recent version to restore. Store these backups in multiple locations, such as cloud storage and local drives, so you’re never caught off guard.

Security measures

Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and implement two-factor authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security. Install security plugins to guard against malware and attacks.

Monitor site performance

Keep an eye on your site’s vitals. Regularly check speed and performance metrics using tools like Google Analytics and GTmetrix. Monitoring your site helps you catch potential issues early, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Test updates in a staging environment

Avoid the heartache of a botched update. Before applying any updates to your live site, test them in a staging environment to catch any issues early. If you’re a BlogVault customer, each update undergoes a visual regression test to ensure nothing breaks.

Taking these preventive steps will save you a lot of headaches down the road. By maintaining regular updates, backups, and security measures, you can ensure your WordPress site remains functional, secure, and efficient.

Avoid common pitfalls

Maintaining your WordPress site isn’t just about keeping it up and running. It’s also about sidestepping the landmines which can lead to issues down the road. Here are some tips to help you dodge potential problems and keep your site secure and efficient.

Avoid downloading from untrusted sources

The first rule of the internet: don’t trust everything you click! Only download themes and plugins from reputable sources to avoid malicious code. It’s like only accepting candy from a trusted neighbor, not a suspicious stranger.

Regularly review plugins

Think of plugins like apps on your phone. Deactivate and delete the ones you’re not using to reduce potential vulnerabilities. Regularly review active plugins to ensure they are still necessary and performing well. Less clutter means fewer chances for something to go wrong.

Maintain a backup plan

Never put all your eggs in one basket. Always have a backup plan in place, even if your web host provides backup services. Test your backups periodically to ensure they are complete and functional. And don’t forget to store them in multiple locations—think of it as a backup for your backup.

Custom code caution

Custom code can be a double-edged sword. Be cautious when adding it and always back up files before making changes. For example, consider using a child theme for theme customizations to prevent issues during theme updates. This keeps the main theme intact while you experiment.

Regularly check for broken links

Broken links are like potholes on your website’s journey. Regularly use tools to identify and fix broken links. This keeps your site’s navigation smooth and ensures search engines aren’t docking points from you.

Parting thoughts

Restoring your WordPress site to a previous date is a breeze if you use BlogVault. However, keeping your site in top shape takes more than just the occasional fix. Regular maintenance and updates are essential. 

Make it a habit to schedule routine check-ups for backups, updates, and security scans. By staying current with the latest WordPress releases, plugins, and security alerts, you ensure your site runs smoothly and securely. Don’t forget to have a disaster recovery plan in place so you’re always prepared for any unpleasant surprises.

FAQs

What should I do if my WordPress site crashes?

First, don’t panic. Assess the situation and determine the extent of the issue. If you have backups, restoring your site to a previous date is an easy fix. Use a reliable service like BlogVault to streamline the process. If you don’t have a backup, you may have recourse to other options such as web host backups, search engine caches, or the Wayback Machine.

Can I restore my WordPress site without a backup plugin?

Yes, but it can be a bit confusing for new users. You can use web host backups, search engine caches, or manually restore your site if you have downloaded copies of your site’s files and database. These methods require more effort and familiarity with tools like FTP clients and phpMyAdmin.

What are the best backup plugins for WordPress?

BlogVault is one of the best backup plugins for WordPress. It offers comprehensive features, an easy-to-use interface, and reliable backup and restoration capabilities to keep your site safe.

How do I test if my backup is working properly?

To test your backup, restore it to a staging environment rather than your live site. This allows you to check if the backup contains all necessary files and is functioning correctly without disrupting your live site. BlogVault offers you a feature to test your restores to ensure everything is in order.

Is it possible to restore only specific parts of my site, like posts or pages?

Yes, some backup plugins allow you to restore specific parts of your site, such as posts, pages, or individual files. Check your backup plugin’s documentation to understand how selective restoration works. For example, BlogVault provides options to restore specific components, giving you flexibility in your recovery process.

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