WordPress site not working after theme update

Wordpress Specific Forum
1

I made a mistake by trusting a WordPress maintenance company to handle updates since 2021, including theme updates.

I sent them the 2025 theme update files, and they told me it was done. A week later, I realized I couldn’t edit any theme settings. When I asked them about it, they admitted the update was never completed. They said it was incompatible because the site hadn’t been updated for too long. Turns out, they never updated the theme over the years.

Instead of offering a solution, they just recommended their ‘partner’ to rebuild our website. No attempt to try an earlier update or fix the issue.

Our site has been struggling in search rankings and performance, and I think this outdated theme is part of the reason. Even with WP Rocket, our mobile Lighthouse score is only 68.

I need advice from an SEO perspective. I renewed support for our Envato theme and reached out to the developer, but I’m still waiting for a response.

My options:

  • Rebuild the website
  • Have the developer patch the issue
  • Keep using the theme as a legacy version

Our rankings have dropped about five spots for many keywords since the last algorithm update. I’m worried that switching themes could make it worse. I’ve built strong backlinks over the years and recently got some high-authority links, but I’m not sure if that will be enough to offset the technical SEO issues.

2

So they basically got paid to do nothing and then asked for more money because they did nothing. Sounds like a great business model.

Hard to believe a theme alone would hurt SEO that much. Is your site complex? Would rebuilding it manually be an option?

3

@Arlo
I agree. I don’t see how the theme itself could have such a big impact on SEO rankings.

4

First, they should refund your money.

Second, do you have backups? If so, restore one. If not, start keeping backups from now on.

Third, I wouldn’t rely too much on Envato themes. Most of them aren’t great.

From an SEO perspective:

  • If the theme doesn’t use a builder (or you’re using Gutenberg or ACF), you can switch to a default WordPress theme and customize it gradually.
  • If the theme relies on a page builder, things get trickier. You might need a developer who actually understands WordPress.

As for this:

Our website has been suffering in SERPs and struggling performance-wise - I couldn’t figure out why. But I am attributing this to an outdated theme. Even with WP Rocket installed, our site has a mobile Lighthouse score of 68.

Don’t stress over it too much. Page speed has a minor effect on rankings.

5

But I am attributing this to an outdated theme. Even with WP Rocket installed, our site has a mobile Lighthouse score of 68.

This is probably not why your rankings dropped. Page speed is a weak ranking factor at best. Updating your theme won’t suddenly fix your rankings, but you should still do it for performance reasons.