How to check the active WordPress version, why updates matter and how to plan them safely.
Why this check matters
WordPress core releases contain security fixes, compatibility changes and improvements that affect the rest of the site. Knowing the active version gives you a reliable starting point for maintenance.
How to review it
- Check the version shown in Dashboard > Updates and on the Site Health Info screen.
- Review the release notes before updating a production site.
- Take a tested backup and verify plugin and theme compatibility.
- Run the important visitor journeys after the update.
Keep the change safe
Keep a staging copy or a tested rollback plan for major updates. A version check is evidence for the next decision, not a reason to update blindly.
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.