Few days ago I showed you how to backup WordPress databases via CPanel. That post can be view from here.
If you’re new to hosting websites with WordPress online, these are some of the tasks you may want to learn. Learning how to backup and restore WordPress databases is a must for webmasters.
This simple post will show you how to restore WordPress databases after first backing them up via CPanel using phpMyAdmin.
So, if you followed our previous post on backing up WordPress databases via CPanel, then you probably have a database that has been exported or backed-up.
To restore that database, all you need to do is go back to CPanel and navigate to the Databases section and click phpMyAdmin.
Next, browse to the database that you want restore. You only want restore your databases when something is wrong with them.
You can only restore up to the last good backup. So, if you perform a good backup of your databases on Sunday and made some changes that messed them up on Friday, you’ll be able restore up to Sunday.. everything that was changed on Monday through Friday will be lost.
After selecting the database you wish to restore, select all the tables as shown in the image below and drop them all.
Dropping databases tables is like deleting them. They’ll be gone forever and can only be restore from a last backup file.
Select all the tables and choose Drop. You could also select each table and drop one at a time.
When prompted on the next screen if you really want to run the query, click Yes.
After dropping all the tables, the database will become blank. All you need to do now is to import from the last good backup file.
Importing is easy. Select the blank database, then click the Import button, choose the database file you want to restore and click Go.
Doing that will restore your database content to the last good backup.
That’s it! You should now be able to view your site again.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I import WordPress databases via CPanel?
To import WordPress databases via CPanel, you can use phpMyAdmin. Simply navigate to the Databases section in CPanel, select the database you want to restore, drop all tables, and then import from the last backup file.
What is the importance of learning how to backup and restore WordPress databases?
Learning how to backup and restore WordPress databases is crucial for webmasters as it helps in recovering data in case of errors or issues. It ensures the security and integrity of your website's data.
Can I restore only specific tables from a WordPress database backup?
Yes, you can restore specific tables from a WordPress database backup by selecting individual tables in phpMyAdmin and choosing to drop or import them separately.
How often should I backup my WordPress databases?
It is recommended to backup your WordPress databases regularly, ideally daily or weekly depending on how frequently your website content is updated. This ensures that you have recent backups to restore from in case of any issues.
What should I do if I made changes to my database and want to revert to the last backup?
If you made changes to your database and need to revert to the last backup, you can drop all tables in phpMyAdmin and import from the most recent backup file. This will restore your database to its previous state.
Is it possible to recover data if I accidentally dropped tables in phpMyAdmin?
If you accidentally dropped tables in phpMyAdmin, the data is usually irrecoverable unless you have a recent backup. It is important to be cautious while performing operations in phpMyAdmin to avoid accidental data loss.
What are the consequences of not backing up WordPress databases regularly?
Not backing up WordPress databases regularly can result in permanent data loss in case of website errors, hacks, or server issues. Regular backups are essential to protect your website data and ensure quick recovery.
How can I ensure the security of my WordPress database backups?
To ensure the security of your WordPress database backups, store them in a secure location with restricted access. Consider encrypting your backup files and regularly testing the restoration process to verify data integrity.