Keep Employee Time Logger Lite and Pro current for compatibility, security, reliability, and feature improvements. When both have updates, update Lite first and Pro second.
Before every update
- Read the release notes and identify changed workflows.
- Create a complete database and file backup.
- Confirm the backup can be restored.
- Record the installed Lite and Pro versions from Plugins > Installed Plugins.
- Confirm Pro shows an Active license.
- Finish or document active payroll work.
- Use a staging site first when possible, especially for payroll or policy changes.
Update Lite through WordPress.org
- Go to Dashboard > Updates or Plugins > Installed Plugins.
- Locate Employee Time Logger Lite.
- Select the update action.
- Wait for WordPress to report success.
- Do not close the browser or navigate away during installation.
Update Pro through its licensed updater
- Go to Time Logger > Settings > License.
- Leave the key field blank and select Check license now.
- Confirm Active status.
- Go to Dashboard > Updates and select Check again.
- Select Employee Time Logger Pro and run the update.
- Wait for WordPress to report success.
Manual update from a ZIP
- Download the current ZIP from the authorized source.
- Confirm the expected filename and version.
- Go to Plugins > Add Plugin > Upload Plugin.
- Choose the ZIP and select Install Now.
- When WordPress reports the plugin already exists, review both version numbers.
- Select the option to replace the current version only when the uploaded version is the intended update.
- Confirm the plugin remains active.
Do not unzip it into a second folder, rename the plugin directory, or keep multiple copies under different names.
Verify an update
- Open Plugins > Installed Plugins and confirm the new Lite and Pro versions.
- Go to Time Logger > Tools > System Status.
- Confirm plugin and database versions are current and required tables pass.
- Confirm license status and scheduled tasks.
- Open Time Logger Dashboard, Workforce, Payroll, Settings, and Tools and confirm tabs load.
- As a test employee, Clock In, Start/End Break, Start/End Lunch, and Clock Out.
- Review the entry, submit a correction request, and verify existing values populate.
- Test any feature changed by the release.
If no Pro update appears
- Confirm the installed Pro version under Plugins.
- Confirm the version advertised by the Charter Hosting update service is newer.
- Check the saved license and confirm Active status.
- Use Dashboard > Updates > Check again.
- Clear WordPress object cache or transient cache if the site uses one, then check again.
- Confirm outgoing HTTPS access to my.charterhosting.com.
- Confirm the server's update package filename exactly matches the configured package.
- Use the manual update procedure if support provides the ZIP.
If an update fails
| Symptom | Action |
|---|---|
| Download unauthorized | Check the Pro license, product status, and site binding. |
| Package not found | Confirm the server's configured package filename and protected-download file. |
| Destination exists | Use WordPress's replace-current-version workflow rather than installing a second copy. |
| Maintenance mode remains | Follow WordPress or host recovery procedure, then inspect plugin state before retrying. |
| Activation error | Record the exact message, restore the backup when necessary, and confirm WordPress, PHP, and Lite requirements. |
| Pages look unstyled | Clear browser, page, CDN, and object caches; confirm new plugin assets were installed. |
Rollback guidance
Do not downgrade by uploading an old ZIP over a newer database without specific support instructions. Restore the matching files and database backup together. A newer data migration may not be compatible with older code.
After a successful update
- Record the update date, versions, person performing it, and test result.
- Keep the pre-update backup according to change-management policy.
- Monitor scheduled jobs and email delivery through the next payroll cycle.
- Share relevant workflow changes with employees and managers.
