How to Back Up a WordPress Website in Hostinger

You can migrate a WordPress website to Hostinger using a backup file – this is useful when your website is not accessible using the website URL and login credentials.

There are a few different plugins you can choose from to generate a backup.

Option 1 – Duplicator

Generate the backup
1. Install and activate the Duplicator plugin.
2. Navigate to Duplicator → Packages, and click on the Create New button:
3. Setup your backup details then click Next. It will lead you to the second step, Scan.
4. Once the scanning is completed,click Build to generate a backup:
Download the backup – Wait until the backup build is completed. You can download the .zip backup file directly from the Download both files button. The backup also can be located in the /wp-content/backups-dup-lite folder or other folder depending on your Duplicator storage setting:

Upload the backup – Create a migration request on hPanel and select Upload Backup Files.

Hostinger migration screen with Upload backup files option selected and Next button

Note: The database (.sql file) must be uploaded separately from the website archive. Duplicator exports both a .zip and an installer.php — the .zip contains your database inside it, so hPanel can detect it automatically. If using a different plugin, ensure your backup includes a standalone .sql file or export it manually via phpMyAdmin.

Option 2 – UpdraftPlus

Generate the backup
1. Install and activate UprdaftPlus plugin.
2. Navigate to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups and click on Backup Now:
Download the backups – These backups are also stored in the /wp-content/updraft folder on your website’s file manager:
Compile all backups into one compressed file – Make sure to include all the plugins, themes, uploads, database, and other required files. You can use the following formats for the archive: .tar, .tar.gz, .zip or .rar
Upload the backup – Create a migration request on hPanel and select Upload Backup Files.

Note: UpdraftPlus exports the database as a separate .gz file. Before uploading, extract the database file and export it as a standalone .sql file, or export it manually via phpMyAdmin. The database must be present in the upload for hPanel to allow you to proceed.

Option 3 – WP Vivid

Install and Activate WPvivid Plugin
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for WPvivid Backup Plugin.
- Click Install Now, then activate the plugin.
Create a Backup with WPvivid
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to WPvivid Backup > Backup & Restore.
- Click the Backup Now button to start the backup process.
Download the Backup File
- Once the backup process is complete, scroll down to the backup list.
- Click Download to save the backup file to your computer.
Upload the Backup for Migration
- Create a migration request on hPanel
- Select Upload Backup Files and choose the backup file you downloaded from WPvivid.

Note: WPvivid bundles the database inside the backup archive. If hPanel does not detect a .sql file in your upload, export the database manually via phpMyAdmin and upload it separately before proceeding.