Reinstalling WordPress core replaces core files without wiping your content or settings. It is useful after malware that touched core files, or when core files were edited by hand.
- Take a backup first.
- Go to Dashboard → Updates.
- Click Re-install WordPress (wording may vary slightly by version).
Custom changes inside WordPress core files will be lost. Theme/plugin customizations are not removed by a core reinstall, but anything edited under
wp-admin/wp-includes/ root core PHP will be overwritten.
Also run the Core Scanner afterward to confirm core files match official checksums.
