What to check before updating a WordPress theme and how to protect custom templates.
Why this check matters
Theme updates can fix security and compatibility issues while changing templates, styles or block patterns. Customizations need a clear ownership plan before the update.
How to review it
- Check whether custom code lives in a child theme or the parent theme.
- Read the release notes and compare template changes.
- Back up and test key templates before updating.
- Review menus, forms, responsive layouts and editor previews afterward.
Keep the change safe
Never keep important customizations only in a parent theme that updates overwrite. Move them to a child theme or documented extension.
How WPVitals uses this signal
WPVitals checks this setting locally and reports the result in the WordPress dashboard. The check is a maintenance signal, so review the site context before changing a setting and test the visitor experience afterwards.