{"id":52,"date":"2026-09-11T11:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T11:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kb-staging.interprowebhost.com\/?p=52"},"modified":"2026-09-11T11:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T11:00:18","slug":"how-website-backups-work-and-restore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.interprowebhost.com\/knowledgebase\/how-website-backups-work-and-restore\/","title":{"rendered":"How Website Backups Work, and How to Restore One"},"content":{"rendered":"

A backup is a complete copy of your website taken at a point in time, so that if something goes wrong, you can return the site to how it was. Updates gone bad, accidental deletions, hacked files: all of these become recoverable annoyances instead of disasters when a recent backup exists. This article explains what your hosting backups include, where to find them, and exactly how to restore your site from one.<\/p>\n

What a website backup contains<\/h2>\n

A complete website backup has two parts. The first is your files: every page, image, theme, and plugin in your hosting account. The second is your database: the content of your posts and pages, your settings, your customer and order records, everything WordPress stores behind the scenes. Both parts are needed for a working restore. Files without the database give you a site with no content. A database without the files gives you content with no design or functionality. A proper backup always captures both together, from the same moment.<\/p>\n

How backups run on your hosting<\/h2>\n

Your InterProWebHost hosting takes automatic backups of your account on a regular schedule, so there is a recent restore point even if you never think about backups. These server backups are your safety net for major problems. But they are not a substitute for your own backup routine. Before you make significant changes, updating WordPress and plugins, redesigning pages, or editing site files, take a manual backup first. That way your restore point is from minutes ago, not from last night. See Downloading Your Own Backup Copy<\/a> to keep a copy of your own as well.<\/p>\n

When to restore from a backup<\/h2>\n

Restoring is the right move when the site worked recently and something changed since. A plugin update that broke the layout, files deleted by mistake, a site defaced by attackers, or a failed edit in the site files: all of these are fixed fastest by restoring. Restoring is not the right move for problems that existed before the backup was taken. If the site has been broken for weeks, restoring last night\u2019s backup just restores the broken version. In that case, open a support ticket<\/a> and describe the problem instead.<\/p>\n

How to restore: the steps<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Decide what to restore.<\/strong> A full account restore returns everything to the backup point. If only one part is broken, a partial restore of just the files or just the database may be enough, and it leaves everything else untouched.<\/li>\n
  2. Open the backup section in cPanel.<\/strong> Log in to cPanel from your client area and open the backup area. You will see your available backup dates and the option to restore files, databases, or the full account.<\/li>\n
  3. Pick the right backup date.<\/strong> Choose the most recent backup from before the problem started. If the site broke on Tuesday afternoon, Monday night\u2019s backup is the one you want.<\/li>\n
  4. Run the restore and wait.<\/strong> Restores take time, especially for larger sites. Do not make changes to the site while the restore is running.<\/li>\n
  5. Verify the site.<\/strong> Visit the site in a private browser window and check the pages that were broken. Log in to WordPress and confirm the admin area works. If anything is still wrong, note exactly what and open a support ticket<\/a> before trying another restore.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What restoring does not fix<\/h2>\n

    A restore returns your files and database to an earlier state. It does not remove the cause of the problem. If attackers got in through an outdated plugin and you restore without updating that plugin, they can get in again the same way. After any restore, especially after a hack, work through WordPress Security Checklist: 12 Essentials<\/a> and How to Recover a Hacked WordPress Site<\/a> to close the hole the problem came through.<\/p>\n

    Still stuck? Open a support ticket<\/a> with your domain and the date the problem started. We can check which backups are available and restore for you if needed.<\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    A backup is a complete copy of your website taken at a point in time, so that if something goes wrong, you can return the site to how it was. Updates gone bad, accidental deletions, hacked files: all of these become recoverable annoyances instead of disasters when a recent backup exists. 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