Who do you blame when something goes wrong with your blog?
Most of us will probably blame WordPress, yet have you ever thought that the problem could be that the theme of your blog is to blame because you’ve never changed it and it’s been retired?
Many problems can arise on blogs when a theme has been retired.
How Do I Find Out If The Theme I’m Using Has Been Retired?
You’ll see the following image on the themes page of your blog.
Go to your blog’s dashboard and click Appearance – Themes to determine if your chosen theme has been retired.
Can I Still Use My Retired Theme?
Yes, you can. WordPress won’t remove it from your site. However, when a theme is retired, it no longer appears in the list of themes available on WordPress.
Your retired theme may remain available for the lifetime of your site or blog, but it will no longer be fully supported by WordPress. It won’t receive any updates with new features; hence WordPress won’t guarantee it will always function correctly with their ever-evolving software. If anything goes wrong, it may not be possible to fix it.
You can still contact WordPress support so the Happiness Engineers can take a look, but support will be limited, and they’ll probably recommend switching to a newer theme. In addition, they won’t provide any CSS support for the retired theme.
Why Do Themes Get Retired?
Web technology updates make the visibility and functionality of some themes outdated.
Web design is an area that is continually evolving, thanks to trends, tastes, and new technologies. WordPress has to keep up to date with these changes and is at the forefront of wanting blogs to look fresh and modern.
Retired themes can make blogs look outdated, stale, and uninviting to visitors, especially if you’ve never changed your theme since starting to blog.
Themes may also be retired if their design has become old-fashioned or uses certain no longer supported features.
What Should I Do If The Theme I Am Using Is Retired?
You can continue to use it, but it may no longer be possible for WordPress to fix any issues you encounter.
Some of the issues I have found with blogs that are still using retired themes are –
- I can no longer leave comments.
- Pingback to the blog no longer work.
- Pingbacks from the blog no longer work.
- The gravatar image is no longer displayed.
- The ‘Notify me of new comments via email’ box is missing.
- Pressing the ‘like’ button no longer works.
- New blog posts do not appear on the WordPress Reader.
- Blog posts are no longer mobile or tablet-friendly.
- Comments do not display correctly.
- Images, photos and paragraphs do not display correctly.
- Sharing buttons no longer work correctly.
In all cases, when I’ve checked the blog’s theme when these problems have happened, it’s an old, retired theme.
Some bloggers find workarounds when problems occur, but all this does is put off the inevitable that one day they will have to change the theme.
My recommended advice is to consider switching to a new theme to ensure your blog has a modern look and feel to its design.
If you’re not bothered about parts of your blog being broken, you may wish to continue using it until you are forced to change the theme. However, that’s not something I recommend.
Not only can finding a new theme be fun, but it can also boost your blog’s ranking.
How Do I Find A New Theme?
On the dashboard of your blog, go to Appearance – Themes. You’ll see all the WordPress themes available. For free themes, click the ‘Free‘ button in the top-right of the page.
You can also use the search field on the themes page to find a replacement theme. Click on the filter options below the search bar or type directly into the search field to filter by specific features or subjects or by the number of columns the theme natively displays to select a new theme similar to your retired theme.
Block Themes Vs Classic Themes
Block (or Full-Site Editing) themes are the new boys on the block.
WordPress recommends switching to a Block theme, as these are the future and what will be supported in the long term.
I have heard of some bloggers encountering problems switching to Block themes. It’s a long learning curve to get used to them, but WordPress has plenty of advice and help for switching to one.
Some bloggers who have already made the switch have reported that not only do their blogs run faster after switching to a Block theme, but problems they were experiencing with their blogs also disappear.
I recommend watching WordPress tutorial videos and reading their guidance page before switching to a Block theme. For information, click the links below.
Video Tutorials: Customize your Site or Blog
Should you encounter problems switching to a Block theme, help is at hand.
- Contact the WordPress Happiness Engineers by clicking on the ‘question mark’ icon (next to the ‘bell’ notification icon) in the top right of your blog’s dashboard.
- Ask for help from your followers and other bloggers by writing and publishing a post or contacting a blogger directly.
Important Information: Do not activate a new theme unless you are absolulty sure you like the theme you have chosen, as it’s impossible to go back to a retired theme once you’ve activated a new theme.
Classic themes were created to work with the old Classic editor, but with the large drop in Classic editor users, WordPress has been retiring them, especially when they no longer work with new functionality software or when updates to the WordPress platform have been released.
Unlike Block themes, Classic themes are heavily loaded with CSS code, meaning many things can go wrong. Block themes are only lightly loaded with CSS code, so are less likely to break.
Currently, WordPress provides 54 Classic themes that are free to use and compatible with the Block editor.
To find current Classic themes, search for them by adding ‘Classic‘ to the search bar on the Themes page, and select ‘Classic Theme‘ from the dropdown menu that appears.
If the theme you’re currently using has been retired, I recommend you switch to one of the Classic themes if you do not want to switch to a Block theme. Doing this will fix some or all of the problems your blog may be experiencing.
If you still experience problems after switching to a current Classic (or Block) theme, report the problems to WordPress. How will WordPress know about a problem unless you report it? Don’t rely on other users reporting the problems you’re having with your blog.
Does WordPress have any plans for new Classic themes?
I asked WordPress the above question. Their response was –
‘No, and we doubt there will be as the industry shifts to the more modern and convenient Full Site Editing (Block) themes that remove most of the need to learn coding to create and customize your theme.’
Is WordPress retiring all Classic themes? If so, when?
Their response –
‘It’s likely, as the focus is shifted to the more modern approach. We do not have specific timelines for each theme or the ones available on our list at this moment.’
So I guess it’s a case of ‘watch this space.’
However, given that the Classic Editor plugin is still available, my guess is that WordPress will retain some of the Classic themes until they stop supporting the Classic Editor plugin. But the choice of Classic themes will become more and more limited as time passes.
I didn’t ask WordPress if there are any plans to stop supporting the Classic Editor plugin, although I have heard rumours that they plan to stop supporting it by the end of 2024.
Let’s wrap it up.
- Problems may affect your blog because your theme has been retired.
- WordPress may be able to fix some issues, but they will advise you to switch to a new theme if the theme you’re using is retired.
- You can continue to use a retired theme you’re using, but it may not work correctly.
- Once you activate a new theme, you won’t be able to go back to the retired theme you’ve been using.
- Upon publication of this post, WordPress offers Full Site Editing (Block) and Classic themes.
- All Classic themes are free to use.
- There are no plans to introduce new Classic themes.
- The number of available Classic themes will continue to diminish.
I’ve seen some bloggers say they will wait until they are forced to switch themes. Given that switching themes can be a complicated and time-consuming project, all that will do is make them panic when the time comes to switch. Don’t be one of them.
If the theme you’re using has been retired, switch now.
WordPress welcomes feedback on the new Block themes and encourages everyone to contact them with suggestions for improving them.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Excellent advice!
My theme isn’t retired, just think (as I mentioned in your other post) that it’s old and getting slow.
It’s always a dilemma changing themes as it all takes a lot of time to get a site just the way you want it to display. 😉
I like your minimalist theme.
Changing to a new theme can be time-consuming, although I know many say that choosing one takes the most time. I tend to stick to the first one I like rather than trying them out. The new FSE themes take much longer to set up, but hopefully, it’ll become much easier. For now, there are Classic themes available, but we don’t know how long WordPress will support them.
I’m currently using a Classic theme, and it’s still supported by WordPress.
Well, I’ve just upgraded to a Business Plan, able to download a full site backup, created a staging site, and now going through the pain of choosing a new theme.
This is the 3rd time for me so choosing the theme takes me a while. I want to make sure I don’t have 700_plus lines of CSS code in this new theme, so the objective is for everything minimalistic so faster performance. Going back to basics. 😉
The new FSE themes have much less CSS code than the Classic themes, so they’re less likely to go wrong. The staging site is a great tool, unfortunately only available to business plan users, but it should make changing themes a much better experience. It’ll be interesting to hear how you get on.
This will be my 3rd theme with WP for this site. Unlike what you read (and as you know) it’s never an easy transition changing themes and getting the theme to display as you want. This is why I’m trying to find a theme that I don’t need changing to much with CSS – wish me luck!
I’ll let you know how the Business Plan goes – already on upgrade around 10 plugins are installed by default. I’m going through and deleting unnecessary plugins as you know about plugins.
In other words. Adapt or perish. The 2023 Theme is my current theme of choice. So far it’s working smoothly.
That’s great to hear, Robert. How did you find setting it all up? Was it an easy job to do? How long did it take you to get your blog looking like you wanted it using the 2023 theme?
Interesting you should bring this up, because I have run into a few problems and been told it was due to using an older theme. Some readers have had trouble leaving comments, but it hadn’t occurred to me that might be due to the theme as well. When I have looked at themes, I haven’t seen any others I liked. But I suppose I should probably look again. As you said, it would be better to deal with this in my own time rather than when I have to some day.
Unfortunately, I really don’t like the block editor. The one thing I loved about the classic editor as that it had one tool bar with everything I needed. Now all those features are scattered in other places or deleted. I indent long quotes when I do book reviews, and I’m told the only way to do that is to use the classic editor. To me, going from the classic to block editor is going from what was simple to what was more complicated, at least to me as a user if not for them as programmers.
If readers are reporting problems with your blog, I’d strongly recommend changing your blog’s theme if it has been retired, otherwise you could face losing some followers. When things do not work on website, it is often the case that people won’t return.
The Block editor does have a ‘quote’ block. It also has a ‘Classic’ block where you can dip and in out of the Classic editor. Many users find the Block editor complicated at first, but like anything else, the more you use it the more easier it gets. One quote I remember well is a user saying ‘The Block editor is not hard to use, just different.’
However, there are still 54 Classic themes available so you don’t need to chose a Block theme. The theme I’m using is a Classic theme that WordPress built a few years ago to work with the Block editor. I’m pleased to say it has not been retired yet, although it is the older Classic themes that are getting retired rather than the newer ones.
I have been considering changing my theme, even though it’s still current. I can’t imagine however not changing it if WordPress have told me it’s been retired. Most things, not just blogs, can benefit from a bit of revamp and re-invention.
Thanks for the advice Hugh.
I agree, Paul. I’ve been blogging for 10 years and some blogs I’ve been following since then have never changed their theme. Not only do they look outdated, but they look like they’ve been left behind.
Thanks for this well detailed post about themes Hugh. I’ve never changed my own theme on my blog. If I were to change (not into block) do I lose anything? Thanks. 🙂 x
It all depends on the new theme you chose, Debby. For example, not all themes have a widget bar to the right or the ability to place an image at the top of a blog. The best thing about the Classic themes is that you can preview what your blog will look like before activating the change. Currently, it’s not possible to do that with the Block themes, but I have heard that it’s something WordPress are looking at.
Thanks again for all your helpful info Hugh. 🙂
As always, you have the best blogging tips and posts that I have seen. As I am self-hosted I have a ‘home-made’ theme and just need to ensure that all is well in my blogging land.
Bloggers using WordPress themes, I am sure love your posts now even more.
Thank you from your SSPS Team for sharing your links with us at #270 SSPS Linky.
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Esmé. I enjoy sharing the knowledge I pick up around the world of blogging.
Thanks for sharing Hugh
Very interesting and timely article Hugh. Unsupported themes also tend to make the website vulnerable to naughty hackers online. That said, Frankly, I prefer classic themes, I don’t even use block editing on my blogs/websites. That said I can understand why some people prefer drag-and-drop type stuff. I get that via Elementor and UX so am good. Thanks for sharing at the Senior Salon Pit Stop
#Julie Syl
I’d never though about unsupported themes also being the gateway to hackers and hacking, so thanks for that information, Julie.
Thank you, Hugh. I have a separate question that you may or may not know about. I use Grammarly as a means of supporting my writing. For whatever reason, I notice that some themes no longer seem to work with it. I don’t know if this is an issue with Grammarly or WordPress, though it appears to be happening more frequently. I’ve tried logging in and logging out. That sometimes remedies the problem, but lately, that hasn’t been working either.
The same happens to me, Pete. However, I am still using a Classic theme (not a retired one) on my blog, so that could part of the problem. I will eventually switch to a Block theme, so it’ll be intreating to see if the problem persists.
I keep Grammarly open on a separate tab so I can run things by it if it fails to work on WordPress.
This is great info on the hot topic of WP themes, Hugh! I’ve been using Ixion which “works with non-profits and schools,” which sort of spoke to me as a former employee in both worlds. Still working but I’m always interested in learning about the newer themes. FSE themes sound good but I haven’t found one yet that supports the sidebar widgets. I tend to view most blogs on my PC, but I also read on mobiles that don’t show widgets or sidebars. It also seems some folks have trouble depending on their internet server. I will keep looking and please let us know what you learned at the WP webinar.
Unfortunately, it seems that the new approach to widget bars is that they are hidden behind a button now, Terri. Given that you can’;t see widget bars on mobile devices and that more and more people are reading blogs on mobile devices, blog themes are now more geared towards hidden widget bars. But, what’s that well know saying? ‘what comes around, goes around.’ So, I’m sure that at some point they’ll become a popular visual feature again.
I’m booked on tomorrows webinar, and I’ll certainly report anything intreating that comes out of it.
I agree, Hugh, reading on mobiles is efficient and handy (I do it often) but I prefer the PC or laptop for blog admin and creating posts and media. I look forward to what you discover.
Same here, Terri. I prefer to do all things blogging on my desktop iMac. And I’m noticing lots of changes to bring it inline with what we see on the Jetpack app.
Hi Terri, there are a few new FSE themes that support a sidebar. I am using Tenaz, which supports a sidebar. Also, themes Stewart (sidebar is on the left), Rainfall, and George Lois support a sidebar.
Hi Eugi, thank you! This is so helpful! I just checked yesterday that Apostrophe2 is an FSE with a right sidebar. I also read that the new FSE themes only support a few widgets. Decisions, decisions! 🙂
Perhaps, it depends on the theme and what you need, but my theme, Tenaz has a lot of widgets.
That’s great to know. And it’s FSE?
Yes, it is FSE. I found it time consuming to set up, at first. Once I became more familiar with it, the easier it became. It’s a great theme to show off photos. Here’s the clincher – I didn’t set up featured images in my posts except the main image at the top of each post so I had to insert the featured images for over 600 posts.
Many thanks, Eugi! I will be prepared 😁
You’re welcome, Terri.
Phew, thank God, mine is still alive.
Even retired themes can still work, Erika. But once they start causing problems, that’s the time to switch.
I agree! If something doesn’t work well anymore, check if your theme is still “employed”!
Excellent advice Hugh? 💜💜💜
Thanks, Willow.
I mean it Hugh..
That question mark should of been an explanation mark 😄
Interesting! I’m a self-hosted (.org) user, so it’s a bit different, I guess. I’m still using a classic editor for a theme I’ve coded by myself. Classic editor plugin for .org will likely be maintained by the community even if WordPress officially stops supporting it. 😅 Personally, I like doing everything by coding, so not a fan of block editor, but I understand why WordPress is going in the direction. 😅
Yes, self-hosted blogs are very different when it comes to many things, including Themes, Joey.
Thanks Hugh. I’m pleased to say my theme is still current. I’m assuming they don’t tell us if/when the themes we’re using become obsolete?
They don’t, Brenda. In the past, I’ve only found out a theme I’ve been using is retired when I’ve reported a problem to them. Sometimes they’ve been able to fix the issue, but they always advise to switch to a new theme.
I suspected that’s what you’d say, but thought I’d ask. I don’t know why some organisations find it difficult to advise when things change. It can be very frustrating
WordPress do send out lots of notifications of changes to users who have signed up to receive them, but they don’t tell you when the theme you’re using has been retired. They have hundreds of themes available, and millions of users, so I guess knowing who is using which theme is something they’re not too concerned about. Some themes can continue to work for years after being retired, but when something does then go wrong with the theme (and it’s been retired), WordPress will recommend switching to a new theme.
I’ll keep an eye on themes so I know if and when mine gets retired
Yes, you can check every so often, but I’ve found it’s when something goes wrong that I find out the theme I’m using has been retired.
In the 10 years I’ve been blogging, I’ve changed my theme almost every year but only once because the theme I was using was retired. I always think changing your blog’s theme helps give it a fresh new look.
There are a few things I want to be able to do that I feel are limited right now, so I’ll be taking some time to review the different themes. I’m at my 1 year mark at the end of this month, so seems appropriate
Only change your theme if you want to, though, Brenda. If you’re happy with it (and it’s working), I’d stick with it. However, i’ve always found changing the theme of my blog to be fun and it also seems to help bring in new followers.
I won’t change it unless there’s a real reason for doing so. Don’t worry, Hugh
Hope you’re having a good Monday.