Plugin disappeared after uploading backups and database

Can you post the restoration log from the wp-content/updraft directory of the restored site using a tool such as pastebin.com?

Well, I’ve posted something as a guest on Pastebin, but I don’t have a clue how it works… The title I gave was something like Backup Updraft one… I just tried to post one of the 5 backup restoration files…

Are you able to see it?

Hi there,

Here’s the link to your PasteBin https://pastebin.com/6wNuSgFg

The log file indicates that you only restored the database. Themes, plugins and uploads were not included in the restore job. You would need to include these files to have a complete restoration.

In your other support thread you gave file names which my colleague confirmed were not UpdraftPlus backup files: https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/uploading-database-and-backup/

Could you tell me if you now have UpdraftPlus backup files available? You have previously mentioned 5 files, could you list their names for me? It will help to clarify what we can do to assist.

Best regards,

Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, the first files I mentioned before, were other files than later on. The files I mentioned came from the previous hosting company who made a manual backup.

I have never looked into my backups again, since the website was live about 2-3 years ago. After thinking about this whole issue, I remembered I did create a special emailaddress for my back ups with UpdraftPlus. I went there and I found the back ups created by UpdraftPlus. The last back up existed out of 5 files, the one befor out of 4 files. So I’m also a bit confused about that difference.

So I have uploadedt the last 5 files in UpdraftPlus of which I’ve only added 1 file to this Pastebin, because I didn’t know whether I did it correctly.

So I will add 4 other files to Pastebin, which are:

• backup_2024-08-04-2255_Warrior_of_Life_Your_journey__231709d578a0-mu-plugins
• backup_2024-08-04-2255_Warrior_of_Life_Your_journey__231709d578a0-others
• backup_2024-08-04-2255_Warrior_of_Life_Your_journey__231709d578a0-uploads
• backup_2024-08-04-2255_Warrior_of_Life_Your_journey__231709d578a0-uploads2

The one you have seen already was: backup_2024-08-04-2255_Warrior_of_Life_Your_journey__231709d578a0-db

I will add the 4 to Pastebin now.

Regards, Yvette

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by Yvettesbook1.

Hi Yvette,

Please don’t upload those files to PasteBin, it’s not necessary.

In the plugin Backup/Restore tab under Existing backups you will see a link ‘Upload backup files’.
Use this link to upload all your 5 files and then Restore them using the button next to these files.

However, I would point out you appear to be missing the themes and plugin files from your set.
Without these files the themes and plugins cannot be restored as I believe you want them to be.

It is a good idea to run a backup before you restore the site.

Best regards,

Nick

Oh. I’ve uploaded one of the files in Pastebin already.

Anyway, about this:

In the plugin Backup/Restore tab under Existing backups you will see a link ‘Upload backup files’.
Use this link to upload all your 5 files and then Restore them using the button next to these files.

I’ve done that several times already. Since the website looks bad now, I’ve tried it 2 times: one time all files at once and one time file by file…

And about this:

However, I would point out you appear to be missing the themes and plugin files from your set.
Without these files the themes and plugins cannot be restored as I believe you want them to be.

Exactly, so where are these plugins hidden in the backup? What would be the name of the backup where they’re stored in?

And this:

It is a good idea to run a backup before you restore the site.

I have a feeling it won’t be a good idea to run a backup if my website is a mess at the moment. Then I will make a backup of the mess, or?

Hi Yvette,

The reason the site looks bad is you haven’t made a complete restore as yet.
Without theme and plugin files the site just won’t look or work as you’d like.

The files aren’t hidden in folders, they will be individual files like the other files.
The files are similarly named to the files you have but state themes and plugins.

Running a backup before restore means you can get back to where you started.
Where you started may not be ideal but it is at least a function WP installation.

Without the themes and plugin backup files it may be as close as you can get.
The files you currently have will not be able to replicate a previous installation.

Best regards,

Nick

I understand the site looks bad, because of the theme and all other plugins. So I digged in my previous UpdraftPlus files and I found the plugins and theme. So I’ve uploaded them in the UpdraftPlus and the theme and all plugins are back. I’ve activated them as well.

Still the website looks like there are no plugins and theme installed. Does it take time before all is to be seen as the website should be? Or do I have to look into something else?

Hi there,

I’m glad you found the files and it sounds as if you have restored them correctly.
It’s difficult for me to know what your site should look like, I have no reference.

When I view the site source I can see you are using a default WordPress theme.
To change the site appearance go to WordPress menu Appearance >> Themes

If you correctly restored the themes you should be able to select another here.
Any changes to the plugins and themes are normally instant, there is no delay.

Best regards,

Nick

Found it! Although I had activated all plugins, WordPress had deactivated my chosen theme and chose the TwentyFour theme. Now I’ve activated it in WordPress as well, the website gets close to how it was.

Now I need to go through page by page to see what is still missing or where the lay-out is not the way it was.

Fingers crossed that I’m getting there!

Hi Yvette,

I’m pleased to hear of positive progress and the site is returning to how you want it – well done!

Best regards,

Nick

Thanks Nick. I have a feeling we can close this topic. Although, is there any way I can reach out to you when I need to know more about this transfer, plugins and themes?

Hi Yvette,

Thank you, I’m happy to help.

If you need advice on transfers, or anything else, just open up a thread on this forum.
We check regularly and the answers we give often help other users to resolve issues.

Best regards,

Nick