> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hostinger.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hostinger.com/wordpress/themes.md).

# WordPress Themes

Themes control the look of your WordPress site. Install from the WordPress directory, upload a zip, or deploy via API.

## Install a theme

### From the WordPress admin

1. **Appearance** → **Themes** → **Add New**.
2. Browse or search.
3. Click **Install**, then **Activate**.

### Upload a zip

1. **Appearance** → **Themes** → **Add New** → **Upload Theme**.
2. Upload the `.zip`.
3. Click **Install Now**, then **Activate**.

### Via API

Deploy a theme with the Deploy WordPress Theme endpoint — see the [API reference](https://developers.hostinger.com/). Optionally activate automatically.

## Switch themes

1. **Appearance** → **Themes**.
2. Hover over the theme.
3. Click **Activate**.

Switching themes doesn't delete posts, pages, or media — only the presentation changes.

## Customize

### WordPress Customizer

1. **Appearance** → **Customize**.
2. Adjust colors, fonts, layout.
3. Click **Publish**.

### Full Site Editing (FSE)

If your theme is a block theme, go to **Appearance** → **Editor** for drag-and-drop editing.

## Child themes

A child theme inherits from a parent theme but isolates your customizations — so parent updates don't overwrite your changes.

Create a directory in `wp-content/themes/` with a `style.css` that references the parent theme and a `functions.php`.

## Update themes

1. **Appearance** → **Themes**.
2. Click **Update Now** on themes with updates.

> **Tip:** Back up first. See [Backups](/websites/backups.md).

## Troubleshooting

**Site broken after activating a theme** Switch back to a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four) via SSH:

```bash
mysql -u dbuser -p dbname -e "UPDATE wp_options SET option_value='twentytwentyfour' WHERE option_name='template' OR option_name='stylesheet';"
```

***

*Last updated: July 21, 2026*