Missing dashboard, out-of-date wp, no way to update

Hello,

I haven’t updated my wordpress site in a long time. I just tried to go in via the usual route and there was no dashboard.

I searched these forums and found the advice to upgrade, but I don’t know how to do that with no dashboard.

I also found advice to 1. delete wp-admin and wp-includes, 2. download latest wp version 3. use filezilla to upload new wp-admin and wp-includes.

I followed those steps but now instead of an empty page from my website with no dashboard, there’s nothing at all.

Can anyone give me advice about what I should try next? I’m a complete noob.

Thank you in advance!
Trish