Fixing WordPress Update Issues Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide to Smooth Website Maintenance
Keeping your WordPress website updated is one of the smartest things you can do for better security, performance, and features. But what happens when those updates don’t go as planned?
If you’ve ever seen your website freeze, crash, or show strange errors after clicking "Update," don’t worry—you’re not alone, and you don’t need to be a developer to fix it.
In this guide, we’ll explain why WordPress updates fail and share simple, beginner-friendly solutions to get your website back on track—quickly and safely.
⚠️ Common Reasons Why WordPress Updates Fail
WordPress is built on multiple moving parts—your core WordPress files, themes, and plugins. An update may fail if just one part doesn’t play nicely with the others.
Here are the top reasons why updates might not go through:
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🌐 Weak or unstable internet connection
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🔌 Plugin conflicts that interfere with the update
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🎨 Themes that aren’t compatible with the latest WordPress version
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🧠 Low server memory or execution time limits
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🔒 Incorrect folder or file permissions
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📁 Corrupted or incomplete update downloads
🛠️ Simple Fixes for WordPress Update Problems
✅ Step 1: Always Back Up Your Website
Before making any changes, install a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy and save a complete version of your site. This ensures that if something goes wrong, you can restore your site in minutes.
✅ Step 2: Clear Your Cache
Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the update—it’s with what your browser is showing.
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Clear your browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+R or Command+Shift+R)
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If you use a caching plugin (like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache), clear your site’s cache from the plugin dashboard
Then, try the update again.
✅ Step 3: Troubleshoot Plugin Conflicts
If an update causes your site to break, the issue might be a plugin.
Here’s how to find out:
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Install the Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin.
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Enable “Troubleshooting Mode”—this temporarily disables all plugins for you only.
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Try running the update again.
If the update works now, reactivate your plugins one at a time. The one that breaks the update is your troublemaker.
✅ Step 4: Check Hosting Limits
Your hosting environment might be too limited for updates to complete properly.
Ask your hosting provider these questions:
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Is my PHP memory limit at least 256MB?
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Is my maximum execution time at least 300 seconds?
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Can these settings be increased if needed?
If not, consider upgrading to a better hosting plan for smoother WordPress performance.
✅ Step 5: Perform a Manual WordPress Update
When automatic updates fail, a manual update is a reliable workaround:
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Download the latest WordPress version from WordPress.org
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Unzip the files on your computer
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Use FTP software (like FileZilla) to access your site files
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Replace the wp-admin and wp-includes folders with the new versions
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Leave the wp-content folder as-is (it holds your themes and plugins)
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Open your site and follow any update prompts for the database
This process ensures a clean, fresh installation—without losing content or settings.
✅ Step 6: Fix File Permissions
Improper file permissions can block updates.
Use a plugin like WP File Manager or ask your host to set:
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All folders to 755
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All files to 644
These settings help WordPress update safely without risking your site’s security.
✅ Step 7: Remove Stuck Maintenance Mode
If you see the message:
“Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.”
…your site update was interrupted and left in maintenance mode.
Here’s how to fix it:
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Access your site files through FTP or your hosting file manager (like cPanel)
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Go to your website’s root folder
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Delete the file called .maintenance
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Refresh your site—it should be back to normal
This takes less than a minute and often solves the issue instantly.
💡 When to Call in the Pros
If these solutions don’t work—or if you feel unsure about any step—don’t hesitate to get help from professionals.
Here are your options:
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Contact your web hosting support
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Hire a trusted WordPress expert
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Reach out to a reputable company like Websenor for quick, affordable help
🎯 Final Word: Let Websenor Handle Your WordPress Maintenance
WordPress update problems are common—but they don’t have to be stressful. With some basic know-how and a methodical approach, you can often fix these issues yourself.
But if you'd rather skip the hassle, Websenor is here to help. Our team specializes in:
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WordPress core and plugin updates
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Website backups and security
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Speed optimization and error fixes
We'll keep your website running smoothly, so you can focus on your business, not your backend.
👉 Ready to stop worrying about WordPress updates? Contact Websenor today and let us take care of everything behind the scenes.
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