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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo restore a WordPress site, use the restore option from the service or plugin that created the backup, if available. For a manual full restore, restore both the backup’s site files and its database to the intended site. Importing a database dump rolls the target database back to the state captured in that dump, so confirm the site and backup before proceeding.
What you need for a full WordPress restore
A typical complete WordPress backup has two separate parts: the site files and the database. WordPress’s backup documentation describes both components. Site files commonly include themes, plugins, uploads, and configuration such as wp-config.php; the database holds site content and settings.
A SQL export alone is not a complete site backup: importing it does not bring back themes, plugins, media files, or configuration. Likewise, a copy of the site directory does not ordinarily include the database. If you have only one component, recovery may be partial; look for the matching files or database backup before starting.
Choose the restore route that matches your backup
| Backup source or platform | Where to start | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.com | Check the site dashboard for an available restore point; WordPress.com also documents a manual restore from Jetpack backup files. | Restore-point availability and exact options depend on the account and backup. Follow WordPress.com’s restore instructions. |
| Self-hosted site with a host backup | Check the hosting dashboard for a restore workflow. | Confirm which site and restore point are selected, and whether the host restores both files and database. Controls differ by host. |
| Backup plugin archive | Use the plugin’s supported restore workflow when available. | Confirm the archive format and that it includes the matching database and files. Plugin interfaces and requirements vary. |
| Manual file and database backup | Restore the files and import the SQL dump into the intended database. | Make sure the file set and database dump come from the same backup point, and that you have access to the site files and database. |
The WordPress handbook explains the file-and-database backup distinction; its backup guidance is useful for checking what your archive contains. For phpMyAdmin and command-line database restoration, see the official WordPress database backup and restore instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Prepare before restoring
- Identify the platform. Establish whether the site is on WordPress.com or self-hosted, and whether the backup came from the host, a plugin, or another service.
- Check the restore point. Note the backup date and make sure it is the version you intend to recover.
- Confirm the contents. For a full manual restore, locate both the matching file set and database export. Identify the target database before importing anything.
- Consider what has changed since the backup. A database restore reverts the target database to the backup state. Newer content or settings in that database may therefore be lost. Preserve the current state separately if you may need it.
- Check whether the domain is changing. A move to a different domain can require URL updates; requirements depend on the platform and restore method.
Restore through a dashboard or backup plugin
If the service that created the backup offers a supported restore control, start there. WordPress.com says many restores can be initiated from the dashboard and documents a manual path for Jetpack backup files. On a self-hosted site, check the hosting dashboard or the backup plugin’s instructions. Availability, labels, and the components restored depend on the service, account, plugin, and backup format, so do not assume every dashboard restores the same way.
Before confirming a restore, check the selected site and restore point, and read what the operation will replace. If the interface does not make clear whether files and database are both included, consult that provider’s documentation rather than treating a database-only rollback as a complete site recovery.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Restore files and database manually
Restore the site files
Use the matching backup’s site files, including the relevant themes, plugins, uploads, and configuration. A fresh WordPress core download may replace core files in some recovery situations, but it is not a substitute for your site-specific files. Follow the instructions for your host or backup format when transferring files; the exact file manager or transfer method varies.
Import the database with phpMyAdmin
- Open phpMyAdmin through your hosting account and select the database used by the intended site.
- Choose Import, select the backup’s SQL file, and run the import.
- Wait for the import result and verify that it completed without an error.
The import restores the database to the state captured in the dump. Do not proceed if you cannot confidently identify the target database: importing into the wrong database can replace the wrong site’s data. WordPress documents this workflow in its database restore instructions.
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Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Use the command line only if you can identify the target
WordPress’s documentation also describes decompressing a database dump when needed and piping it into MySQL or MariaDB. The exact command depends on the dump compression, database name, credentials, and server setup. Use the official command-line restore procedure for the applicable format; do not run an import command against a database whose identity is uncertain.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Handle a domain change
If you are restoring to the same domain, WordPress.com’s documented manual restore flow says its URL-update step can be skipped. If the restored site will use a new domain, that guide calls for updating database URLs so references such as image links use the new address. Follow the WordPress.com manual restore instructions for that platform. On other hosts or with other restore tools, use their guidance: do not assume the WordPress.com procedure applies unchanged everywhere.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Check the restored site
- Load the site and confirm that the expected pages appear.
- Open representative images and other media to check that uploads are present.
- Check that the expected theme and plugins are available.
- If you restored to a different domain, inspect links and media references for the old address.
- If the restore is incomplete, identify whether the missing component is the files or database, then locate a matching backup for it.
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