Sometimes you need to undo changes to your content or settings without affecting the rest of your website. A database-only restore lets you roll back your database to an earlier point in time while keeping your current theme files, plugin files, and uploaded media exactly as they are.
What is a database-only restore?
Your website is made up of two parts: files (your theme, plugins, and uploaded images) and a database (your content, settings, and user accounts). A database-only restore replaces just the database from a previous backup snapshot. Everything stored in your files stays the same.
This means the restore will roll back:
- Pages and posts, including any content you added, edited, or deleted
- Site settings, such as your homepage layout, site title, and reading preferences
- Plugin configurations, including options and settings saved by your plugins
- User accounts, including any accounts created or removed since the backup
- Comments and other visitor-submitted content
It will not change:
- Theme files, including any customisations made directly to theme code
- Plugin files, so your current plugin versions stay in place
- Uploaded media, such as images and documents in your media library
When to use a database-only restore
A database-only restore is the right choice when:
- You made content changes you want to undo. Perhaps you deleted several pages by mistake, or bulk-edited posts and the result was not what you expected.
- A plugin changed your settings. Some plugins modify your site settings during activation or configuration. If something went wrong, restoring the database puts those settings back.
- You accidentally deleted pages or posts. If they are not in your WordPress trash, a database restore brings them back.
- You want to undo a configuration change but your theme and plugins are working fine.
When NOT to use it
If the problem is a broken theme file, a corrupted plugin, or a missing image, a database-only restore will not help. In those cases, you need a full restore from the Backups tab, which replaces both your files and your database. See How to restore your website from a backup for instructions on a full restore.
How to restore your database from a backup
- Log in to your Web60 dashboard.
- Select the website you want to work on.
- Click "Database" in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the Restore Database section.
- Choose a backup snapshot from the dropdown list. Each snapshot is labelled with the date it was taken, so pick the one from before the problem started.
- Click "Restore Database" and confirm when prompted.
A progress banner will appear at the top of the page while the restore runs.
The automatic safety backup
Before the restore begins, Web60 automatically takes a safety backup of your current database. This means you always have a way back. If the restored version is not what you expected, you can return to the Database tab and restore from the safety backup instead.
You do not need to do anything to trigger this. It happens every time, automatically.
What happens during the restore
While the database restore is in progress:
- Your website will be briefly unavailable. Visitors will see a temporary maintenance page. This usually takes less than a minute.
- Your database is replaced with the version from the backup snapshot you selected.
- Your files are not touched. Your theme, plugins, and uploaded images remain exactly as they are right now.
Once the restore is complete, your website comes back online automatically. You do not need to do anything else.
Database-only restore vs full restore
| Database-only restore | Full restore | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to find it | Database tab | Backups tab |
| What it restores | Database only (content, settings, users) | Everything (database, theme, plugins, media) |
| Files affected | None | All files replaced |
| Best for | Undoing content or setting changes | Recovering from file corruption or major problems |
| Downtime | Under a minute | A few minutes |
If you are unsure which option to use, a good rule of thumb: if your site looks and functions correctly but the content or settings are wrong, use a database-only restore. If something is visually broken or a plugin file is corrupted, use a full restore from the Backups tab.
Need help?
If you are not sure whether a database-only restore is the right option, visit our support page and we will help you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Will a database-only restore affect my theme or plugins?
No. A database-only restore only replaces your database content and settings. Your theme files, plugin files, and uploaded images are not changed.
Is a backup taken before the restore?
Yes. A safety backup of your current database is taken automatically before the restore begins. If something goes wrong, you can restore from that backup.
When should I use a database-only restore instead of a full restore?
Use a database-only restore when you want to undo content changes, setting changes, or broken plugin configurations but your theme and plugin files are fine. Use a full restore when you need to roll back everything including files.
Last updated: 16 March 2026