WordPress 6.9.1 Release Candidate One of the final stages in the version release cycle, this version signals the potential to be a final release to the public. Also see alpha (beta). 1 (RC1) is available for testing! Some ways you can help test this minor release A set of releases or versions having the same minor version number may be collectively referred to as .x , for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, and all other versions in the 5.2 (five dot two) branch of that software. Minor Releases often make improvements to existing features and functionality.:
- Use the WordPress Beta Tester plugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party.
- As this is a minor RC One of the final stages in the version release cycle, this version signals the potential to be a final release to the public. Also see alpha (beta). release, select the Point Release A set of releases or versions having the same minor version number may be collectively referred to as .x , for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, and all other versions in the 5.2 (five dot two) branch of that software. Minor Releases often make improvements to existing features and functionality. channel and the Nightlies stream. This is the latest build including the RC and potentially any subsequent commits in trunk A directory in Subversion containing the latest development code in preparation for the next major release cycle. If you are running "trunk", then you are on the latest revision..
- Use WP-CLI WP-CLI is the Command Line Interface for WordPress, used to do administrative and development tasks in a programmatic way. The project page is http://wp-cli.org/ https://make.wordpress.org/cli/ to test:
wp core update https://wordpress.org/wordpress-6.9.1-RC1.zip
- Directly download the Beta/RC version.
What’s in this release candidate?
6.9.1 RC1 is a release candidate for a maintenance release with a focus on bugs introduced in WordPress 6.9. In total, this RC features fixes for 23 issues throughout Core and 25 for the Block Editor.
WordPress 6.9.1 is led by @jorbin and @wildworks.
The following core Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. tickets are included:
- #63979 – WordPress Core setup does not configure XDebug properly
- #64229 – Enqueueing scripts, styles, and script modules should warn when dependencies are missing
- #64329 – Block Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. Processor tests fail without intl extension
- #64333 – I18N Internationalization, or the act of writing and preparing code to be fully translatable into other languages. Also see localization. Often written with a lowercase i so it is not confused with a lowercase L or the numeral 1. Often an acquired skill.: border.radiusSizes key is missing in theme-i18n.json JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a minimal, readable format for structuring data. It is used primarily to transmit data between a server and web application, as an alternative to XML.
- #64336 – One removed SimplePie file was not added to `$_old_files` in WP 6.9
- #64337 – Broken styling on “Add Plugins” screen
- #64340 – HTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers. API An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways. may double-escape class names when adding repeatedly
- #64347 – Fatal error when `wxr_cdata()` is called with non-string value
- #64348 – The `$embeds` element is missing from the `wp_mail_succeeded` filter Filters are one of the two types of Hooks https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks. They provide a way for functions to modify data of other functions. They are the counterpart to Actions. Unlike Actions, filters are meant to work in an isolated manner, and should never have side effects such as affecting global variables and output.
- #64350 – checkbox not working as expected in the admin (and super admin) panel
- #64366 – Docs: Replace since x.y.z with actual version number
- #64368 – `Could not instantiate mail function` errors sending mail in 6.9
- #64380 – Widgets sidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme. and position can’t be changed with accessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility) mode enabled
- #64412 – Sporadic unit test Code written to test a small piece of code or functionality within a larger application. Everything from themes to WordPress core have a series of unit tests. Also see regression. failure in Tests_REST_WpRestUrlDetailsController::test_get_items
- #64429 – Script Modules: Dependencies inherit fetchpriority from not-enqueued, registered modules
- #64462 – Update Sodium Compat to 1.24.0
- #64474 – Comments: Notes are accessible when query has comment_type=all
- #64485 – WP_Block_Processor should indicate that inner HTML matches no block type.
- #64531 – assertEqualHTML may ignore leading whitespace text
- #64537 – Block Processor: Extracting full block missing nested content.
- #64535 – Update packages for 6.9.1
- #64354 – Outlined buttons now have grey background
- #64136 – PHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 7.4 or higher Deprecated: Fetching multiple feeds with single SimplePie instance is deprecated since SimplePie 1.9.0
The following Gutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc.
https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/ PRs are included:
- #71123 – iAPI: Fix and refactor runtime initialization logic
- #72376 – Fix Popover closing unexpectedly when a Menu inside it is closed.
- #73046 – Notes position alignment in HTML
- #73580 – Gutenberg plugin: Override core classic theme styles
- #73592 – Block Editor: Restore ToolSelector component for backward compatibility
- #73608 – Accordion Heading: Add default style for classic themes
- #73612 – Block JSON schema: add visibility key to supports definition
- #73835 – Color Panel: Ensure minimum height for popover content
- #73865 – Classic Block: Restore HTML editing option
- #73867 – Block API: Fallback to all attributes when checking for unmodified block
- #73955 – Global Styles: fix infinite loop The Loop is PHP code used by WordPress to display posts. Using The Loop, WordPress processes each post to be displayed on the current page, and formats it according to how it matches specified criteria within The Loop tags. Any HTML or PHP code in the Loop will be processed on each post. https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop in Font Style UI User interface
- #74130 – Terms Query Block: Fix Max terms for non-hierarchical taxonomies
- #74177 – Fix: Prevent accordion-heading submitting/sending forms (button type=”button” )
- #74282 – Fix: menu_order validation to allow zero and negative values
- #74580 – iAPI: Update deprecation warning for unique ID format
- #74715 – Media & Text: Revert “Fixed Media & Text Block – Image not rendered properly on frontend when inside stack”
- #74057 – Blocks: Always trigger borwser console warnings for blocks with apiVersion below 2
- #74340 – Fix parent popover not closing on click outside
- #74750 – iAPI Router: Prevent router regions with data-wp-key from being recreated on navigation
- #74857 – iAPI Router: Fix initial router regions with attachTo being duplicated after navigate()
- #74860 – Fix: Fit Text not working on calculated line heights.
- #74864 – Fix: Safari “Edit as HTML” for Fit Text deletes content
- #74927 – Patterns: restore pattern category The 'category' taxonomy lets you group posts / content together that share a common bond. Categories are pre-defined and broad ranging. actions for user patterns
- #73652 – Fix: Stretchy text issue when nested on flex containers.
- #74799 – [WP 6.9.1] Remove formatting controls restriction private API
What’s next?
Reminder: the dev-reviewed workflow (double committer sign-off) is required when making changes to the 6.9 branch A directory in Subversion. WordPress uses branches to store the latest development code for each major release (3.9, 4.0, etc.). Branches are then updated with code for any minor releases of that branch. Sometimes, a major version of WordPress and its minor versions are collectively referred to as a "branch", such as "the 4.0 branch"..
The final release is expected on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. This date is subject to change if any issues with RC1 are discovered. Coordination will happen in the WordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ Slack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ #6-9-release-leads channel, and releases are always packaged and tested in #core.
A special thanks to everyone who reported issues, helped test, and helped create patches. The success of 6.9.1 depends on proper testing, so please lend a helping hand.
Props @wildworks, @joedolson, @westonruter for pre-publication review.
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