Fix WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” – 3 Easy Ways

WordPress errors can be frustrating, especially when it’s difficult to figure out what the error actually is. Are you getting a strange error on your WordPress site saying, “Another Update is Currently in Progress,” but there’s no update going on? Is it also preventing you from updating your WordPress core and other plugins and theme updates? You can’t help but think about how to fix WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress”?

Well, how annoying! However, this is one of the other common WordPress errors that can happen on your site while you are trying to update it. Sometimes, the error resolves on its own; however, the real issue begins when the page is stuck with these errors for a long time, and there’s no way out. Timely WordPress support and maintenance are essential in addressing these issues before they escalate.

Well, first, don’t worry. Second, we are here to suggest some great ways how to fix WordPress. “Another Update is Currently in Progress” and get out of it quickly and easily. So, let’s get started without wasting any more time. 

Understanding “Another Update is Currently in Progress” in WordPress 

When your site is usually running smoothly, you can easily check the current version of WordPress by heading over to Dashboard > Updates. From there, you can also trigger updates for WordPress core, your theme, or plugins.

Now, if you ever see a message pop up while trying to start another WordPress update, it usually means a core WordPress update is already in progress in the background.

During this process, WordPress places a lock on your database to prevent multiple updates from happening at once. This is important because running simultaneous updates could lead to errors or even data loss. 

The good news is that this message typically disappears on its own after about 15 minutes or once the update finishes. But the bad news can occur: if you find yourself stuck on this screen for longer, you’ll need to remove the message manually. This is where the fixing WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” part comes in. 

Now that you have a good understanding of the error, let’s move on to how to fix it. 

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How to Fix WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress”- 3 Easy Ways

As discussed above, it’s quite normal to see the WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” Error in WordPress when you are updating anything on your website. So, don’t jump to conclusions and mess with your database resolving the issues. The only time you should take a step towards resolving this is when your screen is stuck with the same message for more than 15 minutes, and you have waited enough for the update to be finished.

If you find yourself in the latter situation, we have three easy ways for you to fix the WordPress “Another Update in Progres” Error. First, take a database backup before you do any type of editing in the backend. 

So, let’s get started: 

Fix WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” Error With a Plugin

Now, this is the easiest and smartest way to fix the ‘Another Update in Progress’ error in WordPress. Fixing this issue requires you to dig into your database and make changes. Unless you are a seasoned WordPress developer, it could be a risky task to make any changes to your database directly. 

So, to save you from all the hard work, we have a plugin to the rescue—Fix Another Update In Progress. The “Fix Another Update In Progress” plugin does exactly what its name suggests.

To install it, simply log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins > Add New. Search for “Fix Another Update In Progress,” then click Install.

If you prefer, you can also download the plugin manually and upload it by clicking the “Upload Plugin” button on the same page.

Once activated, a new option will appear under Settings called “Fix Another Update In Progress.” If the plugin detects a lock in your database, you’ll see a prompt. Just click the “Fix WordPress Update Lock” button, and the database entry will be removed instantly.

After that, you’re all set—your “Updates” page will be back to normal!

Know about: Best WordPress Maintenance Mode Plugins for You

Use WP-CLI

If diving into your database sounds a bit too intimidating or all those tables make your head spin, don’t worry—there’s an easier option: WP-CLI.

WP-CLI is the WordPress command-line interface, allowing you to interact with your site and database without having to dig through cPanel or PhpMyAdmin. With just one line of code, you can quickly fix the problem.

The good news is that many WordPress hosts already have WP-CLI installed, so no complicated setup is needed.

Just like with direct database editing, make sure to back up your site before running any commands.

For extra help, check out how to connect to SSH. If you’re on Windows, you’ll need a program like PuTTY. Mac and Linux users can use the built-in Terminal. You’ll also need your SSH credentials, which you can usually find in cPanel under SSH Access.

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Use PhpMyAdmin

This is the most used method for fixing the ‘Another Update in Progress’ Error in WordPress. When you run into the ‘another update in progress’ error, you’ll need to delete the ‘core_updater.lock’ file from your WordPress database. The easiest way to do this is through phpMyAdmin. 

Here’s how:

First, log in to the cPanel of your WordPress hosting account and navigate to phpMyAdmin. From your hosting dashboard, go to the ‘Websites’ tab, then click the ‘Settings’ button for the site experiencing the error. Scroll down to the Quick Links section and click on phpMyAdmin to open it.

Once inside phpMyAdmin, select your WordPress database, and you’ll see a list of all the tables. Look for the ‘wp_options’ table and click the ‘Browse’ button next to it to view its contents.

Now, find the row with the option name ‘core_updater.lock’ and click the ‘Delete’ button next to it. phpMyAdmin will automatically remove that entry from your database. When you go back to your WordPress site, the ‘another update in progress’ error should be gone, and you’ll be able to continue updating your site normally.

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How to Prevent The ‘Another Update is Currently in Progress’ Error in WordPress

While knowing how to fix the ‘another update in progress’ error is handy, it’s even better to avoid it altogether. Here are some best practices to help you steer clear of this issue in the future:

1. Update one at a time – Patience is key. Update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins one at a time to minimize the risk of conflicts. This way, you can keep things smooth and avoid unnecessary hiccups. If you’re unsure which to update first, check out our guide on whether to update WordPress core or plugins first.
2. Clear browser cache – Sometimes, even after the issue is resolved, the error message might still show up due to cached data in your browser. Clear your cache regularly to ensure you’re seeing the most up-to-date version of your site.
3. Use a staging site – Before applying updates directly to your live site, test them out in a staging environment. This way, you can catch any potential issues without disrupting your live site. It’s like a dress rehearsal for your updates!
4. Use a plugin update manager – Managing updates can be a breeze if you use a plugin like Easy Updates Manager. It helps schedule and control your automatic updates, keeping things organized and reducing the chances of an update conflict.
5. Backup your site regularly – Always make sure you have a recent backup of your site before running updates. If something does go wrong, you can easily restore your site to a previous version and troubleshoot from there without losing any data.
6. Keep your hosting environment updated – Some issues may arise from outdated PHP versions or other server-side factors. Ensure your hosting environment is running the latest versions to prevent any conflicts with WordPress updates.

Facing any more common WordPress errors? Take a look at the guides below: 

• Fix 500 Internal Server Error
• Fix Error Establishing Database Connection
• Fix “An Error Occurred In The Upload…” in WordPress
• Fix “There Has Been A Critical Error on your WordPress Site
• Fix 301 Errors in WordPress
• Fix 403 Forbidden Error in WordPress

Wrapping Up 

WordPress errors are quite common when using WordPress websites. Things break but can also be fixed if taken care of smartly. This is also one of the common WordPress errors, and it’s important to understand the basics of how to fix WordPress “Another Update in Progress.” 

Fortunately, fixing this issue is pretty straightforward. If you’re comfortable using WP-CLI or phpMyAdmin, you can simply delete the lock, and your site should be back to normal in no time. If that feels a bit out of your comfort zone, no worries—you can install a plugin to take care of it for you. And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider. They can help by removing the stuck database entry for you.

We hope that our guide above will help you navigate through these issues and find your way back to the usual WordPress updates.