Stuck With A WordPress Update Failed Message? Here’s How You Can Fix It

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wordpress update failed

You’re in the middle of updating your WordPress website when out of nowhere, you see those dreadful words: “Update Failed.” This can leave you feeling confused about what your next move should be. 

Although it might seem like a small glitch, ignoring it could lead to your site becoming slower or even unsafe.

The silver lining is that you’re not the first person this has happened to, and there are easy steps you can follow to fix this problem. In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to do to resolve the issue so your website can keep running like a well-oiled machine.

TL;DR: A WordPress update failed error can be due to a poor connection or plugin conflicts, among other reasons. Start with easy fixes: check your internet, clear your cache, and disable troublesome plugins. To prevent future issues, regularly back up your site and keep everything updated.

Understanding the WordPress update failed error

When you’re trying to update your WordPress site, you might encounter the message “update failed.” This usually happens when something interrupts or blocks the update process, and you’ll see it as a notification in your WordPress dashboard. 

Update failed error message.

Updates are crucial because they keep your site secure and running smoothly. If you skip updates, your site could face security issues and bugs. There are several reasons why this error might occur, such as server issues, plugin conflicts, or incorrect file permissions. Understanding the cause of the failed update is the first step toward fixing it.

Initial checks and updates to fix the WordPress update failed issue

1. Check your internet connection

Make sure you’re connected to the internet. A weak or lost connection can mess up the update.

2. Verify your site’s URL

Ensure you’re using the correct website address. Using the wrong one can lead to update problems.

Check site URL

3. Test on different devices and browsers 

Sometimes, the issue is with your device or browser. Try accessing your site from another device or browser to see if the update works.

4. Update WordPress from the dashboard 

Go to your WordPress dashboard and try updating directly from there. Sometimes a simple retry can fix the problem.

WordPress update via notification

5. Manual update of WordPress 

If automatic updates fail, you can update manually. This involves downloading the latest WordPress version or the plugin version and uploading it to your site.

6. Clear your browser cache

Your browser might be loading old data. Clear the cache to ensure you’re seeing the latest version of your site.

Clear Chrome browser cache and cookies

7. Ensure adequate disk space

Check if your server has enough space for the update. Lack of space can stop updates from completing.

Diagnose server and API issues

Check the site health status

Use WordPress’s site health tool to identify any server or configuration issues. It highlights problems that might affect your site’s updates.

Site health check

Inspect REST API status

The REST API helps your site talk to plugins and services. Check for any errors here, as they might block updates.

REST API check

Review server resource usage

Make sure your server has enough resources like processing power and memory. If you’re on shared hosting, resource limits might be an issue. Increase the memory limit if needed.

Check PHP version

Ensure your server uses a version of PHP that’s compatible with WordPress. An outdated PHP version can cause errors during updates. Changing your PHP version to a more compatible one can help.

Look for firewall or security plugin issues

Temporarily turn off your firewall or security plugins. Sometimes they block updates by mistake. Adjust settings if needed to allow updates.

Plugin and theme troubleshooting

Disable plugins and themes

Go to your WordPress dashboard, turn off all plugins, and switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If you can’t access the dashboard, use FTP to rename the plugins and themes folders to deactivate them. This helps identify if a plugin or theme is causing the update issue.

rename plugins
Revert to default theme

Identify conflicting plugins

Turn plugins back on one by one and try updating WordPress each time. Note if any plugin causes the problem; it might need updating or replacing.

Fix file permissions

Log into your website’s server using an FTP client. Check that folders have the correct permissions set to 755 and files to 644. These settings help WordPress update files properly.

File permissions

Switch to the classic WordPress editor

Sometimes, Gutenberg plugins might cause conflicts. The classic editor is simpler and might help solve update issues by reducing script conflicts and JavaScript errors.

Contact customer support

If nothing works, reach out to your hosting provider’s customer support. Tell them everything you’ve tried. They might have solutions you haven’t thought of.

Best practices to prevent this issue 

To keep your WordPress site running smoothly and avoid update problems, here are some simple tips you can follow:

Regularly backup your website: Make sure to save copies of your site often. This way, if something goes wrong, you can easily restore it.

MalCare backups

Keep plugins and themes updated: Always update your plugins and themes. This helps your site stay secure and work well.

WordPress MalCare updates

Use reliable hosting services: Choose a hosting service you can trust. Good hosts can make a big difference in your site’s performance and security.

Monitor your website’s performance: Keep an eye on how your site is doing. If you notice it slowing down or acting strange, address it quickly.

Limit the number of active plugins: Don’t overload your site with plugins. Only keep the ones you need to avoid conflicts and slowdowns.

Check compatibility before updates: Before updating anything, make sure it’s compatible with your WordPress version to prevent issues.

With MalCare, you can use the Safe Updates feature to test update compatibility before applying changes to your site.

Ensure file permissions are correct: Proper file permissions help protect your site from unauthorized changes.

Regularly review your security settings: Regularly check your security settings to protect your site from threats.

Parting thoughts

Remember these key steps: troubleshoot when problems arise, update your site regularly, and adjust settings as needed. Routine upkeep makes a big difference in how your site performs. 

Stay ahead by keeping up with the latest updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support if things go wrong.

FAQs

How to fix updating failed WordPress?

To fix a failed WordPress update, start by checking your internet connection and ensuring you have enough server space. Then, try clearing your browser cache and disabling any plugins that might be causing conflicts. If this doesn’t work, consider manually updating WordPress using an FTP client.

Why is WordPress not letting me update?

WordPress might not let you update due to plugin conflicts, insufficient server resources, or incorrect file permissions. Check your plugins for any issues, ensure your server has enough resources, and verify that file permissions are set correctly.

How to fix an automated WordPress update that has failed to complete?

If an automated update fails to complete, try deleting the .maintenance file from your WordPress directory using an FTP client. This should remove the “failed update” message. Then, update your site manually.

How do I force WordPress to update?

To force WordPress to update, you can manually download the latest version from WordPress.org and upload it to your site using an FTP client. This bypasses the automatic update process.

How do I skip a WordPress update?

To skip a WordPress update, you can simply ignore the update notification. However, it’s not recommended to skip updates as they often include important security patches and improvements.

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