Uh-Oh! WordPress Plugin Update Failed? Here’s A Guide to Fix It Quickly!

You go to your website and it’s suddenly not loading. The culprit? A WordPress plugin failed. Keeping your WordPress plugins up-to-date is crucial. Auto-updates might seem like a foolproof, hassle-free choice, but if an update misfires, it can lead to unforeseen issues that affect your entire site.

No need to worry! We’re here to help you get your website back on track and show you how to update plugins safely, so you can dodge those pesky hiccups.

TL;DR: Plugin updates require careful handling. Be sure to back up your site and set up a staging site beforehand. MalCare can assist you in completing both tasks, keeping your live site safe from possible crashes.

Before attempting to update your plugin again, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, do you see an error message indicating another plugin is still updating? This indicates that your site is stuck in maintenance mode, and you’ll need to resolve it. Once that’s done, your site should no longer be in maintenance mode and should come back online.

Second, if your auto-update isn’t working, check if you’ve disabled auto-updates on your site. Sometimes, configurations get changed or custom snippets get added to the wp-config.php file which can stop auto-updates from working. This could be why you’re having trouble with those pesky failed updates.

Now, you’re all set to troubleshoot!

A: Find Out Why the Plugin Update Failed

Before jumping into solutions, let’s figure out why the update didn’t work. Knowing the reason can help you avoid similar issues next time.

WordPress version compatibility

Some plugins need the latest WordPress version to work properly. Check if the new update matches your current version by reviewing the plugin’s changelog.

Theme problems

Sometimes, plugins clash with your site’s theme. Try switching to a basic WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four and then update the plugin. 

If you don’t have access to your dashboard, use FTP to access your site’s files. Simply rename the current theme’s folder to themename_deact to force WordPress to revert to the default theme.

If your site works, the theme is likely the issue, and you might need to contact the theme developers.

Plugin conflicts

Other plugins might be causing issues. Use an FTP client to temporarily disable all your plugins by renaming the plugins folder to something like plugins_deact. If your site starts working again, it indicates that one of the plugins is likely the problem.

To pinpoint which plugin it is, rename each individual plugin folder one by one, such as changing pluginname to pluginname_deact. Check your site after each change to see if the issue gets resolved.

Wrong permissions

Your site’s files need the right permissions (usually 755 for folders and 644 for files). Double-check to make sure they’re set correctly.

Server issues

Sometimes, server settings can block updates. Try increasing your site’s memory limit by adding the following line of code to your wp-config.php file:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

Modify the WP_TEMP_DIR

WP_TEMP_DIR is a setting in WordPress that determines where temporary files are kept. Normally, WordPress uses the server’s default temporary directory. However, you can change this by specifying a different directory in your wp-config.php file. To do this, add or modify the following line of code:

define('WP_TEMP_DIR', ABSPATH . 'wp-content/');

You may want to change the path to a directory on your server that has more available space.

Check logs

Take a look at any error logs found in your site’s files to get hints about what went wrong.

Stable internet

Make sure your internet connection isn’t breaking up during the update.

B: Update the plugin

Now that you’ve checked all the possible reasons for the update failing, let’s try again.

Initial steps:

1. Backup your Site: Always save a full backup before any updates. MalCare is handy for this, storing backups safely offsite.

2. Create a staging site: Use a staging site, which is like a practice area for your website, to test the updates. MalCare makes it easy to set one up.

How to update:

1. Get the latest plugin version: Download it from the WordPress Plugin Repository or the developer’s site.

2. Test on Staging Site:

• Deactivate and remove the old version.
• Install and activate the new version.
• Make sure everything works smoothly.

3. Update live site: Once everything is fine on the staging site, apply the update to your live site and test again.

4. Clear cache: Refresh your site’s cache to show all users the latest changes.

C: Check if the update worked

After updating, ensure that everything is running smoothly. Test features, settings, and how the plugin works with your theme and other plugins. Also, check that everything looks good on different devices.

Best practices for future updates

To keep your site running smoothly, here are some easy habits to follow:

• Always back up: Do this before making any updates.

• Check first: Ensure the new plugin version is compatible with your WordPress version and review what’s changed.

• Use staging first: Test changes in a staging area before applying them to your live site.

• Maintenance mode: Enable this when updating to prevent visitor errors.

• Regular updates: Stay current on security and new features.

• Watch for issues: After updating, keep an eye out for anything unusual.

• Log everything: Record changes for easy troubleshooting later.

• Be ready to undo: Know how to revert to a previous version if needed.

Parting thoughts

Plugin updates can be tricky, and without precautions, you risk crashing your site or getting stuck in maintenance mode. Avoid making spur-of-the-moment changes on your live site. Always back up your site first, and test updates on a staging site.

MalCare is a great tool for this. It provides reliable, offsite backups and easy restoration. Plus, it simplifies setting up a staging site and managing updates, making it an all-in-one solution for safely handling updates.

FAQs

How to fix WordPress plugin update failed?

You can fix a failed WordPress plugin update by checking your internet connection and verifying file permissions (directories should be 755 and files 644). Download the latest version, remove the old plugin, and reinstall it manually. Temporarily disable any security plugins and increase PHP memory if needed. Ensure there’s enough disk space and enable debugging to identify errors.

Why can’t I update WordPress plugins?

You might be unable to update WordPress plugins because your user role lacks the necessary permissions; ensure you’re logged in as an admin. Conflicts with other plugins or your theme can also prevent updates; try deactivating them or switching to a default theme. Double-check your hosting server configurations as well.

Why does my WordPress update keep failing?

Your WordPress update might keep failing due to an unstable internet connection, insufficient server resources, or PHP timeout settings. Increase the server’s max execution time and re-download any plugin files that might be corrupted. Deactivate other plugins and update them one at a time to identify compatibility issues.

Why is WordPress plugin update download failed unauthorized?

The update might fail due to unauthorized access if you need a valid license key or authentication token for premium plugins. Check to ensure your subscription is active, any required API keys are correctly entered, and that firewalls or security plugins aren’t blocking downloads. Confirm with your hosting provider that external requests are allowed.