2 Quick Ways To Fix WordPress Maintenance Mode Stuck Glitches

Has your WordPress website gotten stuck in maintenance mode after you tried to update it? It can be really annoying, can’t it? Anyone trying to visit just sees a maintenance message, and your site is completely down.

You start worrying about losing visitors and damaging your site’s name. And having to start over with the whole update? That’s a pain you really don’t want.

But don’t worry—you’re in the right spot. Here, we’ll show you two simple ways to get your website back to normal quickly. It should take you less than five minutes.

TL;DR: If your WordPress site is stuck in maintenance mode, you can fix it quickly by deleting the .maintenance file through FTP or cPanel. Since both methods involve editing important files, make sure to completely back up your site beforehand.

Why does your website remain stuck in maintenance mode?

Whenever you initiate an update, WordPress temporarily switches your site into maintenance mode. Ideally, once the update finishes, WordPress takes your website back to its normal, live status. 

This should only take a few moments, but sometimes things go awry, causing your site to remain in maintenance mode. Several factors could be responsible, including:

• File-related glitches: The .maintenance file might not be properly deleted, or there could be incorrect file permissions.
• Server and network hiccups: The update can be disrupted by server timeouts, insufficient server resources like memory or disk space, or temporary network connection problems.
• Update-specific troubles: Large update files may take longer than anticipated, or managing numerous plugin or theme updates simultaneously may overwhelm the system.
• Compatibility and execution snags: PHP scripts might run over their allotted time, compatibility conflicts between plugins or themes may arise, or background processes could interfere with the update.

Step 1: Clear your cache

First things first, clear out all your cache files. This involves clearing your WordPress cache, your browser cache, and any caching plugin you might be using. The goal here is to ensure you’re seeing the latest version of your website, as an outdated cache could show old messages.

Step 2: Remove the .maintenance file

To get your site out of maintenance mode, there are two methods you can use:

A) Using FTP

1. Connect via FTP: Use WordPress FTP. A client like FileZilla will help you connect to your website using your FTP credentials. If you’re not sure what they are, your hosting provider can help.

2. Locate the .maintenance file: Look for this hidden file in your root directory, often named public_html or www. To view it, go to the Server menu and select Force show hidden files.

3. Delete the .maintenance file: Right-click the file and select Delete.

Once deleted, your site should be up and running for everyone.

B) Via cPanel’s file manager

If you’re more comfortable with cPanel, here’s what you need to do:

1. Open File Manager in cPanel: Log into your cPanel and navigate to the File Manager.

2. Find the .maintenance file: Head over to your root folder, usually named public_html or www. To see hidden files, click the Settings button (gear icon) in the top right and check Show Hidden Files (dotfiles).

3. Delete the .maintenance file: Right-click on the file and hit Delete.

Using either of these methods should quickly solve the problem and bring your site back online.

My WordPress site is still in maintenance mode. What should I do?

If your WordPress site remains in maintenance mode even after you’ve removed the .maintenance file, don’t worry; there are other steps you can take to fix it. Here’s what you can try:

1. First, double-check if the .maintenance file is actually gone. Sometimes, it reappears and keeps your site in maintenance mode. Ensure it’s permanently deleted.
2. Then, clear your browser cache again. Sometimes old data lingers, and clearing it can refresh your view.
3. Consider temporarily turning off all plugins. You can do this through FTP or cPanel by renaming the plugins folder to plugins_disabled. This will deactivate all the plugins and might resolve the problem. To reactivate them, simply rename the folder back to its original name.
4. You might also want to increase your PHP memory limit. Open your wp-config.php file and add the following right before the line that says, That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); 

This gives your site more memory to handle updates. If this line is already there with a lower value, increase it to 256M, or even 512M if needed.

5. Check that your file permissions are correct. Sometimes incorrect settings can cause trouble.
6. Try completing updates manually by downloading the plugin or theme as a .zip file from the WordPress repository and installing it manually. This can help finish any updates that are stalled.

If manual updates don’t work, using a plugin like MalCare can help manage updates without needing wp-admin access

7. If nothing else works, consider restoring your site from a recent backup. This might be the quickest way to return everything to normal.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider for help. They may have additional resources and support to assist with the issue.

Avoiding WordPress maintenance mode stuck issues

To prevent your WordPress site from getting trapped in maintenance mode again, consider these strategies:

Keep regular backups: Always have a recent backup of your site handy. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can quickly restore it.

Update during off-peak hours: Schedule updates during periods of low website traffic to minimize potential disruptions.

Update individually: Avoid updating all plugins and themes simultaneously. Instead, update them one at a time to prevent conflicts.

Use a staging site: Test updates on a staging site before applying them to your live site. This helps identify any problems ahead of time.

Check file permissions: Ensure your WordPress files have the correct permissions to avoid any blockage during updates.

Ensure adequate server resources: Verify that your server has sufficient memory and disk space to handle the updates.

Disable caching plugins temporarily: Turn off caching plugins while performing updates as they can sometimes interfere.

Ensure a stable internet connection: Have a reliable internet connection to prevent disruptions during the update process.

Monitor site performance: Use performance monitoring tools to keep an eye on your site’s health. Investigate any strange behavior before proceeding with updates.

Parting thoughts

To prevent your WordPress site from being stuck in maintenance mode, try testing updates on a staging site first. After completing your maintenance tasks, apply those changes to your live site.

Opt for a hosting plan that provides enough resources to handle updates effectively. Make sure you have a stable internet connection to avoid any disruptions. By implementing these methods, you can keep your site running smoothly and steer clear of maintenance mode issues.

FAQs

How do I get out of maintenance mode in WordPress?

To exit maintenance mode on your WordPress site, you can manually remove the .maintenance file using an FTP client or through the File Manager in cPanel. Then refresh your website to check if the maintenance mode message has disappeared.

How long does WordPress maintenance take?

WordPress maintenance typically only lasts a few minutes, though the time required can change depending on the number and size of updates being implemented.

Why is a website in maintenance mode?

A website goes into maintenance mode during updates to prevent users from seeing unfinished or faulty content. It’s a way to keep the site operational while changes are being made.

What happens in maintenance mode?

While in maintenance mode, your site shows a notification that it’s temporarily inaccessible because of updates. The site’s core functions are on hold until the update process is finished.