WordPress Site Down After Plugin Update? Here Are 8 Ways To Easily Fix It

You update a plugin on your WordPress site, hoping for improved performance or adding a new feature. Instead, your site goes down. It’s a heart-stopping moment, right? 

You worry about what your visitors will see and how this might impact your business. It’s stressful to think about potential lost customers or a drop in site traffic. But don’t worry, this isn’t the end of the world.

Having faced similar situations, we know how frustrating it feels to be caught off guard by a failed plugin update. The good news? We are here to show you some easy solutions to get your site back up.

TL;DR: If your WordPress site goes down after a plugin update, it could be due to compatibility issues or incomplete updates. Always back up your entire site before troubleshooting or editing core files to ensure you can restore your site if needed.

Why did your WordPress site go down after a plugin update? 

It can be really frustrating when this happens, but let’s break down some common reasons why it might occur.

First, there could be compatibility issues. This means the new plugin version might not get along with your current WordPress setup or other plugins you’re using.

Sometimes, the new plugin version might have bugs or errors. These are like little glitches that pop up unexpectedly. Or, the plugin update might have changed features that your site relies on, causing things not to work as they should.

Another possibility is that the update didn’t complete properly. This could happen if your Internet connection drops midway through the process, leaving your site in limbo.

It’s also important to adjust any settings or configurations after an update. If these aren’t set correctly, it can mess things up.

Conflicts can happen if you have custom code or if your theme doesn’t play nicely with the updated plugin. Sometimes, your security settings might block the plugin from working because they see it as a threat.

Lastly, the update might have accidentally removed important files or changed file permissions, preventing the plugin from running.

While all these issues might sound overwhelming, understanding them is the first step to getting your site back up and running. We’re here to help you through it.

Troubleshooting WordPress site down after plugin update

Troubleshooting your WordPress site when it goes down after a plugin update is quite simple, here’s how to go about it:

1. Enable WordPress debugging

If your site crashes after updating several plugins at once, start by enabling WordPress debugging. This helps you see error messages that might explain what’s wrong. 

To do this, find a file called wp-config.php and add this line right above the line that says, “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.”: 

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

This will reveal any errors causing the issue. Just remember to disable debugging mode when you’re done so visitors don’t see these errors.

define('WP_DEBUG', false);

2. Deactivate all plugins via FTP

If you choose not to opt for the debugging method, try deactivating all your plugins to see if they’re the problem. 

You can do this by using an FTP tool like FileZilla to access your site’s files. Rename the plugin folder within wp-content to plugins_old. This will turn off all plugins. If your site comes back up, one of those plugins was the problem. Now, you need to find out which one.

3. Identify the problematic plugin

To find the troublemaker, rename each individual plugin folder one at a time and check your site after each change. Once you figure out which plugin is causing the issue, you might want to go back to an earlier version that worked well.

4. Contact plugin support

If you still need help, check the plugin’s page on the WordPress website for a support section. You can ask for help there and share details like error messages and recent changes. 

You can also look at forums and online communities for advice from others who have had the same issue.

5. Revert to the default theme

If your site is still down, try switching to the default theme. Use an FTP tool like FileZilla to access your files. In the wp-content/themes folder, rename your current theme to theme_old. This activates a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three.

If your site returns, the theme is likely the issue. Contact the theme developer or check for updates.

6. Examine plugins and themes

Make sure all your plugins and themes are updated to the latest versions. If any plugins are no longer being updated, consider removing them. It’s always a good idea to test changes on a staging site before applying them to your actual site.

7. Restore a backup

If you have a backup of your site, you can use it to get your site back to how it was before the problem. Check with your hosting provider for backup tools. Be careful when doing this and check everything after to make sure the problem is fixed.

8. Consult hosting support

If nothing else works, there might be an issue with your server. Contact your hosting support team for help and give them any error messages you’ve seen. They can tell you if there are server issues affecting your site.

These steps should help you figure out what’s wrong and get your site back up. Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s always help available.

Best practices to prevent WordPress site down after an update

Keeping your WordPress site from crashing after an update is all about being prepared. Here are some simple steps you can take to avoid those headaches:

Regular backups

Always save copies of your site. If something goes wrong, you can quickly get it back to how it was.

Test updates in a staging environment

Try updates on a test version of your site first. This way, you can see if anything breaks without affecting your real site.

Keep everything updated

Make sure your plugins, themes, and WordPress itself are always up-to-date. Updates often fix security issues and improve performance.

Check compatibility

Before updating, make sure the new version works well with what you already have. This helps prevent things from clashing.

Choose a good hosting provider

Pick a hosting service known for being reliable and helpful. A good host can keep your site running smoothly.

Limit plugins and themes

Only use the plugins and themes you really need. Too many can slow down your site and cause problems.

Watch your site’s performance

Keep an eye on how fast and well your site is running. Catching problems early can save you a lot of trouble.

Read update notes

Before you update, read what’s new in the update. This way, you know what to expect.

Regular maintenance

Have a routine to check for updates and make backups. Keeping this regular helps avoid surprises.

Parting thoughts

Regular maintenance is essential for a healthy WordPress site. Make sure to update everything frequently and back up your site to safeguard your data. Keep an eye on performance to catch any issues early, and remove any unused plugins to keep things running smoothly and securely.

FAQs

Does updating WordPress plugins affect my website?

Yes, updating plugins can affect your website by improving its features, improving security, and fixing bugs. However, if a plugin update is incompatible with your site, it might cause issues, so always back up your site before updating.

Why does my WordPress site keep going down?

Your WordPress site might keep going down due to plugin conflicts, outdated software, server issues, or insufficient resources. Regular updates, monitoring, and using a reliable hosting provider can help prevent frequent downtime.

Do WordPress plugins slow down a website?

Yes, having too many plugins or poorly coded ones can slow down your website. It’s important to use only essential and well-optimized plugins to maintain good site performance.

What are the disadvantages of auto updates?

Auto updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues if an update doesn’t work well with your existing setup. It might also overwrite custom changes. It’s important to monitor updates and test them on a staging site if possible.

How do I restore my WordPress site after an update?

To restore your WordPress site after an update, use your backup to revert to the previous version. Access your hosting provider’s backup tools or manually upload backup files via FTP. Always test your site after restoration to ensure everything is working correctly.