Table of Contents
How WordPress Plugin Auto Updates Work
How to Enable Auto Updates
Common Reasons Why Plugin Auto Updates Fail
How To Troubleshoot Plugin Auto Update Failures
Building and managing lots of WordPress websites for clients over the years, has made it clear that enabling automatic plugin updates is not only an important part of keeping WordPress websites secure, but can also be a great way to ensure that your website keeps running smoothly.
Unfortunately, many WordPress websites, despite having auto updates enabled, fail to automatically update some plugins. So, without further ado, I will discuss why this happens and what can be done about it.
How WordPress Plugin Auto Updates Work
Since version 5.5 was released in 2020, WordPress has offered the ability to enable automatic updates of their core files, themes and plugins. That makes life easier for all of us because as new versions are released, your WordPress website can download and install them automatically, which saves you from having to waste your time and mental energy trying to see if any of your plugins need to be updated and then manually having to update them yourself.
How to Enable Auto Updates
To enable auto updates of your plugins, follow these four simple steps.
- Go to your WordPress Admin Dashboard and click on the “Plugins” link in the left-most column with the black background.
- Check the checkbox to the right of the “Plugin” column (under the “bulk actions” drop down near the top left of the page) to select all of the plugins.
- Click on the “Bulk actions” drop down and select the “Enable Auto-updates” link.
- Now click the “Apply” button. You are done!
Alternatively, you could look to the right of each plugin and one-by-one, click the “Enable auto-updates” for each plugin as you scroll down the plugins page.
Common Reasons Why Plugin Auto Updates Fail
There are a number of possible reasons why WordPress plugin auto-updates fail.
Plugin Compatibility and Conflicts
Some plugins and/or themes are simply not compatible with each other, or the latest version of WordPress. Plugin conflicts might prevent auto updates from functioning correctly. An example of this could be a security plugin that prevents other updates to quash security loopholes. When such conflicts happen, WordPress may halt auto updates altogether. It is for this reason that some incompatible plugins may get flagged for developers to fix bugs.
Server Configuration and Hosting Environment
Your hosting provider’s web server setup can influence auto updates, including outdated PHP versions, restrictive file permissions, or low memory, can result in failures. Hosted environments, such as shared hosting, can sometimes restrict background processes, including auto updates. Moreover, some managed hosting providers may have their own rules that can hinder WordPress’s auto-update process.
Plugin Limitations or Bugs
Did you know that certain plugins have bugs which can stop them from updating automatically? It could also be that some plugins have been intentionally written to disable auto updates as a means to prevent conflicts and/or security issues. Some plugin developers might also release updates that could require manual intervention, especially if the update involves database changes or complex files.
Security Measures and Firewall Settings
Some security plugins such as Wordfence or Sucuri, can also prevent plugins from automatically updating, as they monitor web traffic and file changes. And sometimes, firewalls block auto update requests, thinking they’re suspicious. Incorrectly configured security rules can also prevent legitimate plugin updates from completing. Thus, properly configuring these tools can better ensure that updates run smoothly.
Cron Jobs and Background Processes
WordPress relies on something called “WP-Cron” to handle background tasks, including updates. If WP-Cron is not working, updates may not run. Problems like disabled cron jobs, server time settings, or heavy server load, can prevent scheduled updates from executing. Manually triggering WP-Cron can sometimes fix certain delayed updates.
User Permissions and Role Settings
Believe it or not, your WordPress user role can affect the implementation of auto updates. Thus, if you are not logged in as an administrator, or if permissions are restricted in some other way, auto updates might not run at all. So, it is important to confirm that your user role has full permissions for auto-updating plugins.
How To Troubleshoot Plugin Auto Update Failures
Disable Conflicting Plugins Temporarily
To find a plugin conflict that might be affecting auto updates, try deactivating your plugins, one by one. Security or caching plugins are common culprits. Once identified, update or replace problematic plugins to restore auto-update functionality.
Validate Your Web Server Environment and Settings
Make sure that your server meets WordPress requirements. PHP version should be at least 8.0 or higher. File permissions need to allow WordPress to write updates. Your server must also have enough allocated memory. Be sure to also check for server errors that might block background jobs. If you do not know how to do this, speak with a support person at your hosting provider.
Enhance Security and Firewall Configurations
Adjust your security plugins and firewall rules. Allow legitimate requests related to wp-cron.php and update files. This prevents security tools from blocking updates while keeping your site protected. Again, if you are unfamiliar with how to do this, call your hosting provider’s support team for assistance.
Use Plugin Management Tools
You can also try using plugins such as “ManageWP” or “Easy Updates Manager” to help you update your plugins automatically while giving you a better idea of your plugin update statuses.
Even with auto update enabled, WordPress plugins can fail to update for several reasons. Compatibility issues, server settings, security tools and bugs all contribute.
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