downgrade from 3.9 to 3.8.3

Download the 3.8.3 files and overlay them.

I have looked at https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Updating_WordPress#Manual_Update and the process outlined in the reference pages seems very complicated.

It’s not really. We’re talking this:

1) Download the zip
2) Unzip
3) FTP the files to your server, overlaying them atop the ones you have

That’s it ?? Same as you would to downgrade.

Yes, you can deactivate plugins.

1. Via FTP or your host’s file manager, navigate to the wp-contents folder (directory)
2, Via FTP or your host’s file manager, rename the folder “plugins” to “plugins.hold” or whatever
3. Login to your WordPress administration (/wp-admin)
4. Via FTP or your host’s file manager, rename the folder “plugins.hold” (or whatever) back to “plugins”
5. Reactivate plugins one by one and observe that everything works in between

To reinstall you should delete all files and folders except wp-config.php and the folder wp-content (VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE!)

Then download WP 3.8.3, unpack it to local folder, an upload it all to your web root.

Or see this codex page: https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Upgrading_WordPress#Manual_Update

I will give it a go in the morning with a fresh start.

It does also say to:

1. Deactivate plugins, which I cannot do.
2. Delete the old wp-includes and wp-admin directories.
3. Upload the new wp-includes and wp-admin directories (this is from the unzipped files?)
4. Upload the individual files from the new wp-content folder to your existing wp-content folder, overwriting existing files (this is from the unzipped files?)
5. Upload all new loose files from the root directory of the new version to your existing WordPress root directory.(this is from the unzipped files?)

Any idea why this upgrade failed? Have you seen this kind of error before? Blank admin screen? I got no error messages during or after the upgrade. Just couldn’t access admin areas (posts, pages, plugins, appearance, etc).

Kurt:

Saw this response after I finished mine. Will try in the morning. Thank you!

Yes, you can deactivate plugins.

1. Via FTP or your host’s file manager, navigate to the wp-contents folder (directory)
2, Via FTP or your host’s file manager, rename the folder “plugins” to “plugins.hold” or whatever
3. Login to your WordPress administration (/wp-admin)
4. Via FTP or your host’s file manager, rename the folder “plugins.hold” (or whatever) back to “plugins”
5. Reactivate plugins one by one and observe that everything works in between

Hey mate,

i would suggest reading this through as i did this and worked a treat:
https://etuts.org/manually-downgrade-wordpress/

Hope this helps mate,
Tobias

I had the same problem – I called Bluehost and they downgraded my WP from 3.9 back to 3.8.3 and it restored all of my settings.

If you are using the iThemes Security ( aka Better WP Security) plugin, it gives just the word ‘error’ when your site is locked out.

Once the lockout time has expired and you can again login, be sure to add your IP to the Whitelist so you won’t get this again.

Oh, and be sure you upgrade to the latest version – there were bugs in this function in earlier ones.

Wanted to report all worked out.

And yes, iThemes Security did lock me out. It was a pain until I figured out it was my IP that was the problem and I did add it to the whitelist.

Thanks all!