## Theme Updating

Product: Monogram - Personal Portfolio WordPress Theme
URL: https://hub.jkdevstudio.com/docs/monogram/installation/theme-updating
Updated: 2026-09-06

Keeping Monogram up to date ensures you have the latest features, bug fixes, security patches, and compatibility with the newest versions of WordPress and Elementor. There are two ways to update the theme.

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**Always back up your site before updating.** While updates are tested thoroughly, having a backup lets you restore your site quickly if anything goes wrong. Use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus, or ask your hosting provider to create a backup.

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## Method 1: Automatic Updates via Hub (Recommended)

If you have activated your license (see [License Activation](license-activation)), Monogram can update directly from your WordPress dashboard - just like any WordPress plugin or core update.

### How It Works

The JKDEVKIT plugin connects to [jkdevstudio Hub](https://hub.jkdevstudio.com) to check for new versions. When an update is available:

1. You see a notification in **Dashboard &gt; Updates** and on the **Appearance &gt; Themes** page showing that a new version of Monogram is available.
2. Click **Update Now** (or update from the **Dashboard &gt; Updates** page).
3. WordPress downloads the new version from Hub and installs it automatically.
4. The update replaces the parent theme files while preserving your Customizer settings, Elementor pages, and all content.

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Automatic updates require an active license. If your license is not activated or has expired, you will not see update notifications. See \[License Activation\](license-activation) to activate or renew.

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### After Automatic Update

After the theme updates:

1. Check **Appearance &gt; Install Plugins** for any bundled plugin updates (JKDEVKIT, ACF PRO). TGMPA will notify you if newer bundled versions are available.
2. Go to **Elementor &gt; Tools &gt; Regenerate CSS** to rebuild Elementor stylesheets with any new theme styles.
3. Clear any caching plugins or CDN caches.
4. Browse your site to verify everything looks correct.

## Method 2: Manual Update

If automatic updates are not available (license not activated, server restrictions, etc.), you can update manually.

### Via WordPress Dashboard

1. Download the latest `monogram.zip` from your [ThemeForest Downloads](https://themeforest.net/downloads) page (choose "Installable WordPress file only").
2. Go to **Dashboard &gt; Appearance &gt; Themes**.
3. Activate a different theme temporarily (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four).
4. Delete the old Monogram theme.
5. Click **Add New &gt; Upload Theme** and upload the new `monogram.zip`.
6. Install and activate the new version.

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If you are using a child theme, keep it active while updating. Delete only the parent Monogram theme, upload the new version, then your child theme will automatically use the updated parent. Alternatively, you can upload the new version without deleting the old one - WordPress will prompt you to replace it.

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### Via FTP/SFTP

1. Download the latest `monogram.zip` from ThemeForest.
2. Unzip it on your computer to get the `monogram` folder.
3. Connect to your server via FTP/SFTP.
4. Navigate to `/wp-content/themes/`.
5. Rename the existing `monogram` folder to `monogram-backup` (as a safety measure).
6. Upload the new `monogram` folder.
7. Visit your WordPress dashboard to verify the update.
8. Once confirmed working, delete the `monogram-backup` folder.

## What Gets Preserved During Updates

<table style="min-width:50px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width:25px;"><col style="min-width:25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Preserved</p></th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Not Preserved</p></th></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>All WordPress content (posts, pages, portfolio items)</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Direct edits to parent theme PHP files</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Customizer settings</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Direct edits to parent theme CSS/JS</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Elementor page designs</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Custom files added to the parent theme directory</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Plugin settings and data</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Media Library</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Child theme files and customizations</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Widget configurations</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Menu assignments</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

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This is why using a child theme for customizations is essential. Everything in the child theme directory is preserved during parent theme updates.

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## Checking Your Current Version

To see which version of Monogram you are running:

1. Go to **Dashboard &gt; Appearance &gt; Themes**.
2. Click on the Monogram theme card.
3. The version number is displayed in the theme details overlay.

Alternatively, check the theme `style.css` file header for the `Version:` field.

## Changelog

Review what has changed in each version before updating:

- [Monogram Changelog on Hub](https://hub.jkdevstudio.com/docs/monogram-personal-portfolio-wordpress-theme/changelog)

The changelog lists all new features, improvements, bug fixes, and breaking changes for every release.

## Troubleshooting Update Issues

### Update fails with a permissions error

Your web server does not have write permissions to the themes directory. Contact your hosting provider to fix file permissions, or use the FTP method.

### Site breaks after update

1. Restore your backup.
2. Check the [changelog](https://hub.jkdevstudio.com/docs/monogram-personal-portfolio-wordpress-theme/changelog) for any breaking changes or required actions.
3. Make sure all required plugins are updated via TGMPA.
4. Contact [support](https://jkdevstudio.ticksy.com/) if the issue persists.

### No update notification appears

- Verify your license is active in **JKDEVKIT &gt; License**.
- Check that the JKDEVKIT plugin is installed and activated.
- Go to **Dashboard &gt; Updates** and click **Check Again** to force a refresh.
- Ensure your server can make outgoing HTTPS requests to `hub.jkdevstudio.com`.