Updating your WordPress theme feels like giving your site a fresh makeover. But what if those updates break your settings and leave your site looking messy?
It’s frustrating, right?
Don’t worry—you’re not stuck. In this guide, I’ll show you quick, easy steps to fix it and bring your site back to its best look in no time.
Why Does This Happen?
Before we fix the issue, let’s quickly understand why your customizer settings got messed up:
- Theme Updates Reset Settings: Updates sometimes overwrite your saved styles.
- Database Issues: Customizer settings are stored in the database, and updates can cause conflicts.
- Plugin Conflicts: A plugin might not work well with the updated theme.
Knowing why it happens makes it easier to fix and avoid in the future.
Step 1: Import Saved Settings
If you’ve saved your customizer settings before, you can re-import them.
How to Do It:
- Install the Customizer Export/Import plugin.
- Go to Appearance > Customize > Export/Import and upload the saved file.
- Click “Import” and save your changes.
Tip for Next Time:
Always export your customizer settings before making big updates.
Step 2: Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Sometimes, plugins or themes don’t play nice together after updates.
How to Fix It:
- Deactivate Plugins:
- Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and deactivate all plugins.
- Reactivate them one by one, checking the customizer each time.
- Enable Debug Mode:
- Edit your
wp-config.php
file and add this line:define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
- Look for error messages and fix any issues they point out.
- Edit your
Step 3: Use a Child Theme
Child themes are great for keeping your changes safe during updates.
How to Make a Child Theme:
- Create a new folder in
/wp-content/themes/
and name it after your child theme. - Add a
style.css
file with this header:/* Theme Name: Your Child Theme Name Template: your-parent-theme-folder */
- Add a
functions.php
file to load the parent theme’s styles:<?php add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', function() { wp_enqueue_style( 'parent-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/style.css' ); });
- Activate the child theme in Appearance > Themes.
Now your settings are safe from future theme updates.
Step 4: Check Your Database
Your WordPress customizer settings are stored in the database. If they’re still there, you can reconnect them.
How to Check:
- Log in to your hosting control panel (like cPanel) or use a tool like phpMyAdmin.
- Open your WordPress database and go to the
wp_options
table. - Look for
theme_mods_<your-theme>
(replace<your-theme>
with your theme’s folder name).
If the settings exist, the issue might just be a display glitch. If not, move to the next steps.
Imagine you’ve updated your WordPress theme and suddenly your site’s layout breaks. After following the steps to check your database, you find that the customizer settings are still stored in the database. However, they’re not displaying correctly. In this case, you can restore your settings by importing a previously saved customizer file, ensuring your site returns to its original appearance.
Step 5: Restore a Backup
Backups are lifesavers when something goes wrong. If you have a recent backup, you can use it to restore your site.
How to Restore:
- Database Backup: Only restore the
wp_options
table or thetheme_mods_<your-theme>
entry. - Full Backup: If you’re unsure, restore the entire site using your backup.
Tools to Use:
- Hosting backup tools (check with your hosting provider).
- Plugins like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration.
Step 6: Roll Back the Theme
If the update caused the issue, going back to the previous theme version might help.
How to Do It:
- Install the WP Rollback plugin from the WordPress plugin directory.
- Go to Appearance > Themes, find your theme, and click “Rollback.”
- Choose the version you used before and test if your settings return.
Step 7: Rebuild Your Customizer Settings
If none of the above worked, you’ll need to reconfigure the settings manually.
How to Do It:
- Go to Appearance > Customize.
- Adjust the settings for colors, fonts, and layouts as you had them before.
- Save your changes and export the settings for next time (see Step 4).
Step 8: Prevent Future Problems
Here are some tips to avoid this issue in the future:
- Use a Child Theme: Make all your customizations in a child theme.
- Export Regularly: Save your settings with the Customizer Export/Import plugin before updates.
- Test in Staging: Use a staging site to test updates before applying them live.
- Keep Notes: Write down your customizer settings so you can easily reapply them if needed.
With these steps, you can recover your customizer settings and protect them from future problems. As an experienced blogger, I’ve seen how stressful this issue can be, but with a little patience and the right tools, your site will look amazing again. Save this guide for the next time you update your theme!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why do my WordPress Customizer settings disappear after updating the theme?
A: Theme updates can overwrite your customizer settings because they replace files and data stored in the theme’s core. To avoid losing your customizations, it’s important to use a child theme for all custom changes and export your settings before updating.
Q2: How can I restore my WordPress site if a theme update breaks the layout?
A: If your layout is disrupted after a theme update, you can restore a backup. Use the WP Rollback plugin to revert to the previous version of the theme. Regular backups with plugins like UpdraftPlus can save your site in these situations.
Q3: What tools can I use to back up Customizer settings?
A: To back up your Customizer settings, use the Customizer Export/Import plugin, which allows easy export and re-import of settings. You can also use backup plugins like Duplicator or All-in-One WP Migration to back up your entire site before updates.
Q4: How can I identify plugin conflicts after a theme update?
A: After a theme update, plugin conflicts can break customizer settings. To find the conflicting plugin, deactivate all plugins, then reactivate them one by one. Check the Customizer after each activation. You can also enable WP_DEBUG mode to detect plugin-related errors by adding define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
to your wp-config.php file.
Final Thoughts
Updating your WordPress theme is like giving your site a fresh coat of paint—but it shouldn’t come with the fear of losing everything you’ve worked hard on. The truth is, with a bit of preparation, you can avoid the frustration altogether.
Here’s the winning formula: back up your settings regularly, use a child theme for customizations, and test updates on a staging site before going live. These simple steps are your safety net, ensuring your site always looks its best—no matter how many updates come your way.
Think of it like this: a little preparation today saves hours of stress tomorrow. So, back up, plan ahead, and update with confidence. Your site deserves nothing less than smooth, stress-free upgrades.

Shahab Ali leads the content team at Codixes as Content Chief, bringing a wealth of experience in writing technical and growth-focused content. Known for his ability to make technical topics relatable and actionable. His mission? To ensure every piece of content not only educates but drives measurable results.