If a recent Elementor update broke your layout or caused compatibility issues, rolling back to a previous version may fix it. This guide shows how to safely downgrade the Elementor plugin without affecting your website content or design. Whether you're experiencing bugs or simply prefer the stability of an older version, we'll walk you through each method step-by-step.
Why You Might Need to Downgrade Elementor
Sometimes, an Elementor update introduces bugs, conflicts with themes or plugins, or breaks custom design elements. Common reasons to downgrade include:
- Elementor version compatibility issues with other plugins
- Broken layouts after an update
- Missing widgets or unexpected errors
- Undo Elementor update changes to regain previous behavior
- Revert Elementor update due to slow editor performance
Using Elementor's Built-in Rollback Feature
Elementor includes a native rollback tool, making it easy to revert to a previous version without extra plugins. It's designed for non-technical users who want a quick way to downgrade safely.
Navigate the menu
- Go to WordPress Dashboard > Elementor > Tools
- Click the Version Control tab to view available rollback options
Choose rollback version
- Select the version you want to roll back to based on your compatibility needs
- Click Reinstall to initiate the downgrade process
- Confirm the downgrade and wait for the process to complete
How to Downgrade Elementor Plugin Manually
If the built-in tool isn't available or doesn't work due to an error, you can downgrade Elementor manually via plugin upload. This method is also useful if you're working on a staging website or restoring a backup version.
- Download the older version of Elementor from the official WordPress repository. Use the "Advanced View" to access version history.
- In WordPress, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
- Deactivate and delete the current Elementor plugin (your designs and data remain unaffected)
- Click Add New > Upload Plugin and select the downloaded .zip file
- Install and activate the old version of Elementor
After installing, verify your widgets and sections display correctly by opening a few pages in the Elementor editor.
Prevent Elementor from Auto-Updating
To maintain version stability and avoid future surprises, it's a good idea to turn off automatic updates for Elementor:
- Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
- Find Elementor and click Disable auto-updates to stop automatic version changes
You can also manage plugin versions using tools like:
- WP Rollback: Simplifies version switching for WordPress.org plugins
- Easy Updates Manager: Offers granular control over auto-updates across your website
Troubleshooting Elementor After Downgrade
If you still face issues after downgrade, try the following steps to resolve common problems and ensure your website is functioning correctly:
| Issue | Possible Fix |
|---|---|
| Widgets not loading | Clear Elementor cache under Tools > Regenerate CSS |
| Broken styling | Reapply theme styles, check global settings, and re-save permalinks |
| Plugin conflict | Deactivate other plugins and reactivate one by one to identify the culprit |
| Missing features | Ensure both Elementor and Elementor Pro (if used) are rolled back to compatible versions |
Useful Links
Rolling Back to a Previous Version of Elementor – Official guide on using Elementor’s built-in rollback feature to revert to an earlier version safely.
WP Rollback Plugin – A plugin that allows you to easily switch between versions of plugins and themes from the WordPress repository.
Disable Plugin Auto-Updates via WP-CLI – Technical documentation on disabling automatic updates for plugins using WP-CLI commands.
Revision History, Undo and Redo – Learn how to use Elementor’s revision history feature to undo changes and restore previous versions of your pages.
Elementor Tools Panel – Overview of the Tools panel in Elementor, including version control and other maintenance options.
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Conclusion
Learning how to downgrade Elementor version can be a lifesaver when facing update problems. Whether you use the built-in rollback tool or reinstall manually, ensure you back up your website and test thoroughly. Use version control plugins and disable auto-updates to maintain consistency. With the right steps, you can manage Elementor plugin troubleshooting smoothly and maintain your website's functionality with confidence.
