How to Update the Carbon Theme

Updating your theme ensures enhanced security, introduces new functionality, adds flexible tools, fixes bugs, and improves code quality. Keeping your website updated ensures it meets the latest web standards and safety measures. Regular updates for both WordPress CMS and the Carbon theme are essential for site protection. We rigorously test new versions internally and collaborate with reliable beta testers to maximize our products’ performance. For detailed information about theme updates, please visit the Carbon changelog page.

Before you update the Carbon theme, please take a full website and database backup. This step ensures that you can easily revert to your previous version if something unexpected happens during the update.

1. Backup Files: Use an FTP client or your hosting provider’s file manager to download and save a copy of your website files.
2. Backup Database: Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or access your hosting provider’s control panel to create a database backup.

If you’re using the Carbon Child Theme, please ensure you back up the child theme as well.

Never rename the theme’s folder, as this might alter your website’s functionality.

How to Update the Carbon Theme

Learn how to update the Carbon theme to the newest version. There are two ways to update Carbon:

1. WordPress
2. Via FTP

Keeping your theme updated is crucial for enhanced security, new functionality, bug fixes, and improved code quality. Visit the Carbon changelog page for detailed information on the theme’s versions.

Update Carbon via WordPress:

• Download the latest version of the theme from the source (e.g., ThemeForest, official theme site).
• Go to Appearance > Themes and activate a temporary theme (like Twenty Twenty-One).
• Delete the old version of the theme.
• Click “Add New” and then “Upload Theme.” Choose the downloaded .zip file and install it.
• Activate the newly updated theme.

Update Carbon via FTP:

• Connect to Your Website via FTP
  • FTP Client: Open your preferred FTP client (e.g., FileZilla).
  • Connect: Enter your FTP credentials (host, username, password, port) to connect to your website server.
• Navigate to the Theme Directory
  • Directory: Navigate to /wp-content/themes/ on your server.
  • Locate Theme: Find the folder of the theme you want to update.
• Upload the New Theme Files
  • Rename Old Theme Folder (Optional but recommended): Rename the existing theme folder (e.g., from carbon to carbon-old). This serves as a backup in case something goes wrong.
  • Upload New Files: Upload the new theme folder from your local computer to the /wp-content/themes/ directory on your server.
• Activate the Updated Theme
  • Dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  • Themes: Go to Appearance > Themes.
  • Activate: Activate the updated theme. If you renamed the old theme folder, you’ll need to activate the new one.