How to Effectively Fix ‘WordPress Plugin Update Failed’ Issue

Picture this: You’re about to launch a big sale on your e-commerce site when you notice an important plugin has failed to update. Suddenly, the checkout process on your WordPress site is broken, and customers can’t complete their purchases. Panic sets in as you realize you’re losing sales with every passing minute. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it’s a direct hit to your bottom line. The ‘WordPress Plugin Update Failed’ issue can cause a domino effect of problems. 

Your site might slow down, security vulnerabilities could open up, or key features might stop working altogether. These issues work towards driving away customers, harm your SEO rankings, and even lead to data breaches. It’s a nightmare scenario that can happen to any site owner, even after they’ve followed proper WordPress development. But don’t worry – this article will walk you through the steps to fix a failed plugin update and get your site back on track.

Common Causes of Plugin Update Failures

Facing a ‘WordPress plugin update failed’ issue can be frustrating, but identifying the root cause is the first step towards a solution. Here are the common culprits behind plugin update issues:

Insufficient Server Resources: Your server may not have enough resources to handle the update process, leading to failures. Ensure your hosting plan provides adequate CPU, RAM, and disk space.

Server Timeout During Update: Long-running update processes can exceed the server’s maximum execution time, causing the update to fail. Adjusting the timeout settings can help mitigate this issue.

Incorrect File or Folder Permissions: WordPress requires specific permissions to update files. If these permissions are incorrectly set, the update process will be blocked. Ensure your files and folders have the correct read/write permissions.

Also Read: Fix “An Error Occurred In The Upload…” In WordPress

Compatibility Issues with Other Plugins or Themes: Sometimes, plugins or themes may conflict, causing update failures. Identifying and resolving these conflicts is crucial for a smooth update process.

Intermittent or Slow Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is essential for downloading and installing updates and in turn avoid the ‘WordPress plugin update failed’ issue. Intermittent or slow connections can interrupt the update process, leading to failures.

PHP Memory Limit Restrictions: WordPress updates require a certain amount of memory to execute. If your PHP memory limit is too low, the update process may fail. Increasing the PHP memory limit in your server settings can resolve this issue.

Problems with the Temporary Directory Used During Updates: WordPress uses a temporary directory to store files during the update process. If there are issues with this directory, such as incorrect path settings or lack of permissions, the update can fail. Ensure the temporary directory is correctly configured and accessible.

Do You Know About: Plugin And Themes Auto-Updates

Pre-Fix Preparations for Correcting ‘WordPress Plugin Update Failed’ Issue

Before diving into fixing a failed WordPress plugin update, it’s important to prepare your site properly. Start by backing up your entire website. This step is non-negotiable – it’s your safety net if anything goes wrong during the fix. You can use plugins like –

• UpdraftPlus or 
• BackupBuddy for this, 

or if your host offers backups, make sure you have a recent one. Don’t skip this step, as it could save you hours of headaches if you need to restore your site.

Next, deactivate all your plugins. This might seem drastic, but it’s an important troubleshooting step. Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the Plugins section, select all plugins, and choose Deactivate from the bulk actions menu. 

This helps isolate the problem and prevents conflicts between plugins during the fix. Remember, you’ll need to reactivate your plugins one by one after the issue is resolved. This method also helps identify if another plugin was causing conflicts with the one that failed to update.

Keep Reading: Best Solutions To Backup Multiple WordPress Websites

Steps to Fixing ‘WordPress Plugin Update Failed’ Issue

Ready to tackle the issue? Follow these steps to identify and resolve the problem efficiently, ensuring your plugins update without a hitch.

Step 1: Check and Fix Server Resources

Insufficient server resources are a common cause of update failures. Here’s how to address this issue and ensure your server can handle plugin updates:

• Increase Server Resources: Check your hosting plan’s resource allocation and upgrade if necessary to avoid the ‘WordPress plugin update failed’ issue. Optimize your WordPress site to reduce resource usage.
• Contact Your Hosting Provider: Reach out to support for guidance on resource management. Ask about temporary resource boosts during updates and inquire about server-side caching and its impact on updates.

Read More: Top Free WordPress Hosting Providers in the USA

Step 2: Adjust File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can prevent WordPress from updating plugins properly. WordPress files and directories need specific permissions to function correctly. Generally, directories should have a permission of 755, while files should be set to 644. These settings allow WordPress to read and write files as needed during updates.

To change permissions, use an FTP client or your hosting provider’s file manager. Navigate to your WordPress installation directory, select the files or folders, and modify their permissions. Be cautious when changing permissions, as overly permissive settings can create security vulnerabilities.

Step 5: Resolve Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Plugin or theme conflicts can cause update failures. To identify conflicts, deactivate all plugins and switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One. Then, try updating the problematic plugin again. If it succeeds, reactivate your plugins and custom theme one by one, testing the update after each activation. This process helps pinpoint which plugin or theme is causing the conflict.

If you identify a conflict, check for updates to the conflicting plugin or theme, or contact their support for assistance. In some cases, you may need to find alternative plugins that are more compatible with your setup.

Find Out More: Common WordPress Errors And How To Fix Them

Step 6: Improve Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is crucial for successful plugin updates. If you’re experiencing frequent update failures, try using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. Wired connections are generally more stable and can prevent interruptions during the update process.

If a wired connection isn’t possible, ensure you’re close to your Wi-Fi router and that no other devices or applications are consuming significant bandwidth during the update. Consider scheduling updates during off-peak hours when your internet connection is likely to be faster and more reliable.

Step 8: Fix Temporary Directory Issues

To address temporary directory issues, start by verifying the existence and permissions of the wp-temp directory. This directory is crucial for WordPress to perform various operations, including plugin updates. 

Navigate to your WordPress root folder and check if the wp-temp directory exists. If it’s missing, create it manually. Ensure that the directory has the correct permissions, typically 755, to allow WordPress to read, write, and execute files within it.

Also Read: Fixing the ‘This Site is Experiencing Difficulties’ Error in WordPress

Setting the correct temporary directory path in wp-config.php

If verifying and adjusting the wp-temp directory doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to explicitly set the temporary directory path in your wp-config.php file. Open the wp-config.php file and add the following line of code:

define(‘WP_TEMP_DIR’, dirname(__FILE__) . ‘/wp-content/tmp’);

This tells WordPress to use a specific directory for temporary files. 

Also Learn: How to Troubleshooting PHP Errors in WordPress?

Pro Tip: Make sure the specified directory exists and has the correct permissions. After making this change, attempt the plugin update again to see if the issue is resolved.

Step 7: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, WordPress needs more memory to avoid the ‘WordPress plugin update failed’ issue. You can increase the PHP memory limit by editing your wp-config.php file.

Look for the line that sets the memory limit, which might look like this:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ’64M’);

If this line doesn’t exist, add it near the top of the file, just before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing!”. You can try increasing the limit to 128M or 256M:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

After making this change, try updating your plugin again. If you’re not comfortable editing this file, contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can help you increase the memory limit safely and may offer other solutions specific to their hosting or staging environment.

Step 9: Use Alternative Update Methods

If the automatic ‘WordPress plugin update failed’ issue continues, you can try updating the plugin manually using FTP. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Download the latest version of the plugin from the official WordPress plugin repository or the developer’s website.
2. Unzip the downloaded file on your local computer.
3. Connect to your website using an FTP client.
4. Navigate to the wp-content/plugins directory on your server.
5. Locate the folder of the plugin you want to update.
6. Rename the existing plugin folder by adding “_old” to the end of its name. This serves as a backup.
7. Upload the new plugin folder you downloaded and extracted earlier.
8. Once the upload is complete, log in to your WordPress dashboard and verify that the plugin is updated.

In Conclusion: Prevent Future Update Issues

While successfully addressing the ‘WordPress plugin update failed’ issue is crucial, implementing strategies to prevent such issues is equally important for long-term website health. By adopting a proactive approach to WordPress maintenance, you can save time, reduce stress, and maintain a robust online presence. 

Here are some to:

Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins and set aside time each week or month. It ensures the following –

• Check for available updates
• Test updates on a staging site if possible
• Apply updates during low-traffic periods

Regular updates not only patch security vulnerabilities but also introduce new features and performance enhancements that keep your site competitive and user-friendly.

Your hosting environment plays a critical role in your site’s performance and update processes. Work closely with your hosting provider to ensure:

• Adequate CPU and RAM allocation
• Sufficient disk space
• Up-to-date server software (PHP, MySQL, etc.)
• Proper caching configurations

Consider upgrading your hosting plan if you consistently encounter resource-related issues during updates or high-traffic periods. Implement a comprehensive monitoring routine:

• Use uptime monitoring services to catch downtime quickly
• Conduct regular security scans to identify vulnerabilities
• Perform speed tests to ensure optimal loading times
• Check for broken links and 404 errors

Tools like Google Search Console, GTmetrix, and WordPress-specific monitoring plugins can provide valuable insights into your site’s overall health.