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Never edit theme code in wordpress from within the dashboard

by Oleg Cherkasky
11 replies
I had my wordpress site disappear on me a week ago, I tried editing the css file for the font colors and suddenly after I pressed update file everything turned white and I couldnt see any of the admin stuff, I couldnt see the site. It all disappeared.

I would advise to keep backups of the files on your hard drive and change the code through notepad. It took me 3 hours to get the site to reappear.
#code #dashboard #edit #theme #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    Do a search for xampp wordpress install, or something like that.

    This way you can run a version of wordpress directly on your desktop. Will save you a lot of headaches.
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    • Profile picture of the author osegoly
      I only do quick and easy updates via the dashboard. The rest is always done through notepad++
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      • Profile picture of the author digital29
        Originally Posted by osegoly View Post

        I only do quick and easy updates via the dashboard. The rest is always done through notepad++
        Exactly the same for me. Notepad++ is awesome, just heard about it and tried it
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  • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
    The moral of your story is to never edit anything without backing it up first! As long as you have a backup there is nothing wrong with doing the edit via the WordPress Dashboard, except that the editor has less functionality than Notepad!

    Personally I do all my edits offline with PS Pad. And if the edit is complex I rename the original file as opposed to overwriting it - makes it simpler to revert to the original if you mess up the edit.

    Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author newmoon
    If you know what are you doing, and you have proper backups, then editing is not a problem. Also keep in mind that you can instantly access the file systems. For example, you have backups but you can't login using file manager or FTP, then it comes of no usage.

    And it is better not try things on a production/live site.
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  • Profile picture of the author jwiggs
    Originally Posted by Oleg Cherkasky View Post

    I had my wordpress site disappear on me a week ago, I tried editing the css file for the font colors and suddenly after I pressed update file everything turned white and I couldnt see any of the admin stuff, I couldnt see the site. It all disappeared.

    I would advise to keep backups of the files on your hard drive and change the code through notepad. It took me 3 hours to get the site to reappear.
    Have you successfully fixed the issue? Or are you still offline? I'd be happy to help with some advice on how to repair the damage if you haven't already. Let us know what hosting setup you're working on if you want help.

    best,
    Jim
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    • Profile picture of the author jwiggs
      Originally Posted by jwiggs View Post

      Have you successfully fixed the issue? Or are you still offline? I'd be happy to help with some advice on how to repair the damage if you haven't already. Let us know what hosting setup you're working on if you want help.

      best,
      Jim
      Sorry, note to self, don't post without coffee and when being pestered by a 5 year old. Didn't really parse your second paragraph where you say that yes, you did get back online. Good to hear it.

      best,
      Jim
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  • Profile picture of the author senderbot
    Hi,

    I edit through the WP admin editor panel all the time. Its pretty fast way of doing it. Then once I get the site how I like it I download a back up of all the updated wp files.

    Then if I'm ever tweaking and mess it up I can just FTP the good versions back up to the site.

    Cheers

    Max
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  • Profile picture of the author glanzend
    So why don't you just download a new css file?
    I think it's okay, even if you've lost your old one, since you can get the new one when you generate the new theme
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    • Profile picture of the author jordan08
      I wish I would have found this thread about 24 hours ago. I did some editing to my Header and today while I was in the dashboard, the whole thing basically crashed!

      It really sucked! I have to redo everything, but this time I will certainly make a back up! :rolleyes:

      Oh well, back to the drawing board...

      Ayesha
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  • Profile picture of the author jalpari
    I guess u had older wp version, i faced same problem when i was using older WP version. Always keep backup of ur theme, u could delete ur old files from server and upload new one by replacing them.
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