3 Easy Ways To Fix “WordPress Another Update Is Currently In Progress”

You’re ready to update your WordPress site, but suddenly you see the message—”WordPress another update is currently in progress.” This can be frustrating, leaving you stuck and unsure of what to do next.

Delays in updates can put your site at risk, slowing your site’s performance, or worse. This can lead to vulnerabilities. Without the update, you can’t access new features or critical security patches.

Don’t worry! We’ll dive into why this happens and how you can quickly and safely resolve the error. This will ensure your site is updated and secure without the wait.

TL;DR: Troubleshooting the error is simple. But, one of the methods requires modifications to the database tables. Take a WordPress backup before you start, to keep your website safe.

Why is “ Another update is currently in progress” error happening?

The “Another update is currently in progress” error happens during WordPress updates. When WordPress updates something, it sets a temporary lock in the database. This prevents other updates from running at the same time. It keeps your site safe from overlapping actions that might break files or the database. Normally, the lock goes away when the update is done. But if there are problems, like connection timeouts or server issues, the lock may stay longer.

How to tackle the “Another update is currently in progress” error?

Now that you know why this error appears, the next step is figuring out how to fix it. Troubleshooting this issue is important because it allows you to continue maintaining your site. In this section we will go over a few different methods to identify and solve any triggers for this error.

1. Give it time

Solving the “Another update is currently in progress” error can be as easy as waiting. WordPress locks the database briefly during updates. This lock clears up once the update is done. If you see this error, take a break for 15 or 20 minutes. Sometimes, plugin updates face issues  take longer due to server load or connection issues.

2. Check server

Make sure your server is stable to prevent the “Another update is currently in progress” error. Log into your hosting account to start. Check CPU, memory, and disk usage—low resources can cause timeouts. Ensure your internet connection is stable. Contact your hosting provider for any network issues or downtimes. Adequate resources and a stable connection reduce update errors.

3. Manually remove the lock

If waiting or checking server stability doesn’t fix the error, you can manually remove the lock from the database. This involves accessing the database directly to delete the temporary lock that WordPress sets during updates.

Expert advice: This requires modifications to your database tables. We recommend you take a WordPress backup before you start. 

There are a few different ways to do this. We’re using phpMyAdmin. Here are the steps:

1. Login to phpMyAdmin: Access the tool through your web hosting dashboard, typically in cPanel or your hosting control panel.
2. Find your database: Identify your WordPress database from the list of databases.
3. Open wp_options table: Click on the wp_options table to view its entries.
4. Locate and delete lock: Search for the entry called core_updater.lock. Once found, select and delete it to remove the lock.
5. Check if the error still exists: Now, check your admin panel. The error should have disappeared now. Check to see if the plugin you were previously updating has completed updating. If not, restart that.
   

If you’re familiar with WP-CLI, you have another easy way to handle the “Another update is currently in progress” error by deleting the lock. WP-CLI is a command-line tool for managing WordPress sites and can make tasks quicker and more efficient. To remove the lock, run the command: 

wp option delete core_updater.lock

This command deletes the lock entry directly from your WordPress database, making it a fast and effective solution for those who prefer using the command line.

How to prevent the “another update is currently in progress” error from happening again?

After fixing the issue, it’s important to focus on prevention. You can avoid this error with some best practices. Following these will help ensure updates run smoothly, keeping interruptions to a minimum.

• Update carefully: Update plugins and themes one at a time. This avoids overlapping processes and helps you find issues more easily.
• Ensure a strong internet connection: Weak connections can cause interruptions, leading to incomplete updates.
• Review server use: High loads can cause timeouts. If needed, upgrade your hosting plan to prevent update issues.
• Always use a staging site: Test updates in a staging site first. This lets you find problems without affecting the live site.
• Use backup plugins: Use a WordPress backup plugin ensure you can easily restore your site if update issues occur.
• Regular maintenance: Do routine checks on your site. Look for issues that can cause update errors to keep your site healthy. 

Final thoughts

The “Another update is currently in progress” error is common for WordPress users. Although it acts as a safeguard, it can interrupt your workflow and site access, causing frustration or downtime.

Being proactive can minimize the impact on your live site. Regular backups are essential, letting you restore your site if updates go wrong. Testing updates on a staging site reduces risks by catching issues before they reach your live site. Tools like MalCare offer both and more. 

FAQs

How do you safely update a plugin?

To safely update a plugin, first backup your site with a tool like BlogVault. This ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong. Next, update the plugin on a staging site to test for issues. Once confirmed, proceed with the plugin update on your live site.

What causes delays in a plugin update?

Delays in a plugin update can occur due to server issues, insufficient resources, or a weak internet connection. These factors can slow down the update process or leave it incomplete.

How do you prevent issues with plugin updates?

Prevent issues by regularly updating plugins individually, not in bulk, and testing updates on a staging site. Keep internet connections stable and monitor server resources to ensure smooth updates.

Does the delay affect your live site?

Yes, delays can affect your live site by potentially causing downtime or exposing it to security risks due to incomplete updates. Regular monitoring and backups can mitigate these issues.

Why does the error happen?

The “Another update is currently in progress” error happens when WordPress temporarily locks the database during updates. This prevents other updates from running simultaneously but can persist longer due to connection timeouts or server issues.