What to Do When a WordPress Plugin is Untested with Your Version

Updated on November 24, 2023   |   4 mins read

Ever stumbled upon a WordPress plugin that’s perfect for your needs, only to find it marked as ‘untested with your version of WordPress’? This article demystifies what this warning means, the risks involved, and how to safely handle such plugins, ensuring your website’s security and performance are not compromised.

untested wordpress plugin warning

What Does ‘Untested with Your Version’ Mean?

When you come across this message, it means the plugin hasn’t been tested with the WordPress version you’re using. This info comes from the plugin’s ‘readme.txt’ file, which tells WordPress about its compatibility with different versions.

The Role of the Readme.txt File in Plugin Compatibility

The “tested up to” field in the Readme.txt file, tells WordPress if it has been tested with the latest version or not.

This is updated by the plugin’s developers.

With each of WordPress’s releases, they fix bugs, improve the performance, add new features and enhance the old ones so that they are up to date with the industry standards. Thus, making it vital for your website’s security that it be up to date.

Why Some Plugins Get This Status

Many plugin developers do this work in their spare time, often for free. So, they might not always keep their plugins or the readme file updated with the latest WordPress version.

Are there any Potential Risks of Using Untested Plugins?
Using an untested plugin can be a bit of a gamble. It might work perfectly, or it could cause problems with your website. These issues can range from minor glitches to significant security vulnerabilities.

It depends on the plugin. Most plugins use only well-established core WordPress functionality, in which case an older version plugin is less likely to break on a newer version of WordPress.
However, this is not always the case. In some cases, they could very well bring the whole site down or pose a serious threat to your site’s security and performance.

In the industry, a good practice is to keep plugins up to date. This makes it reliable and credible. If a plugin is not looked after and kept up to date, it runs a chance of making the whole site vulnerable.

If a file as simple as the readme file is kept up to update, you can rest assured that the developers are on top of it and have their interests vested in making the plugin work for the community.

If a plugin has not had an update for two years, then it is very likely to have been abandoned by the author. Avoid using such plugins.

What is worth noting when it comes to your website, you’d always want to use software that is up to date and checked regularly for performance and security.

Best Practices for Using Plugins Safely
  1. Always Backup Your Site: Before adding any new plugin, ensure you have a recent backup.
  2. Test on a Staging Site: Try out new plugins on a staging site first. This way, if anything goes wrong, your live site isn’t affected.
  3. Do Your Research: Read up on the plugin. Check reviews and documentation, especially if there’s a warning.
  4. Prioritize Security and Performance: Don’t let any plugin compromise your site’s integrity.

Remember, keeping your site safe and performing well is key. When dealing with untested plugins, caution and research are your best friends. Happy web building!For more insights into WordPress management, check out our related articles!