How to Resolve This WordPress Update Failed Error on Your Site

How to Resolve The WordPress Update Failed Error on Your Site

When managing a WordPress website, encountering errors during updates can be frustrating. One common issue many site owners face is the WordPress Update Failed Error, which can occur when trying to update plugins, themes, or even WordPress itself. This error can leave you feeling stuck, unable to make necessary improvements or security updates to your site.

Such issues might seem like a roadblock, but with the right approach, resolving this error is usually straightforward. Whether it's a plugin conflict, server settings, or permission issues, understanding the underlying cause is key to fixing the problem efficiently. As WordPress is a highly customizable platform, errors like these are not uncommon, but they can typically be resolved with a few simple steps.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to fix the WordPress Update Failed Error, so you can get back to managing your site with ease. By the end, you’ll know how to troubleshoot and apply the right solution, ensuring smoother updates moving forward. Let’s dive in and fix this issue together!

What is the WordPress Update Failed Error?

The WordPress Update Failed Error is a common issue that occurs when you try to update any component of your WordPress website, such as plugins, themes, or the WordPress core itself. When this error happens, it typically prevents the update process from completing successfully, leaving your site vulnerable to potential security risks or missing out on new features and improvements.

This error can appear in various forms, such as:

WordPress update failed: when trying to update the WordPress core.
Plugin update failed: when attempting to update a plugin.
Theme update failed: when trying to update a theme.

The error message usually shows up in the WordPress dashboard, under the Updates section, or directly on the plugin/theme update page. While the exact error message can vary, the result is the same: your update attempt has failed, and you’re unable to complete the necessary update.

This issue is frustrating for site owners as it hinders their ability to keep their WordPress site secure, up-to-date, and optimized for performance. However, with the right troubleshooting steps, it is usually possible to identify and fix the root cause of the error.

Common Causes of the WordPress Update Failed Error

The WordPress Update Failed Error can be caused by several factors. Below are the most common causes:

File Permission Issues File permissions in WordPress determine who can read, write, and execute files and folders on your server. If these permissions are incorrectly set, it can prevent WordPress from accessing or modifying certain files during an update. For example, if the update process doesn’t have permission to modify files in the wp-content folder or its subfolders, the update will fail. WordPress displays errors when file permissions are incorrect, such as “Update Failed” or “Could Not Create Directory”.
Plugin or Theme Conflicts In some cases, WordPress updates cannot be completed due to a conflict between plugins or even the Free and Premium themes. If a particular plugin or theme is not compatible with the latest WordPress version or a newly updated plugin, it might interrupt the update process. Incompatibilities often arise after a plugin/theme update, or when a plugin uses outdated functions incompatible with newer WordPress versions. It is also possible for a poorly coded plugin or theme to interfere with the update process, resulting in it failing.
Insufficient PHP Memory Limit WordPress requires a certain amount of server memory to run effectively, especially during updates. If your server’s PHP memory limit is too low, updates may fail due to insufficient resources. Updates of large plugins or themes, or sites that use a lot of resources, may cause this issue. WordPress tries to allocate memory for the update, but if the limit is exceeded, the process will fail. You might see an error message such as "Allowed memory size exhausted."
Server or Hosting Configuration Issues Web hosts impose various limits on the server resources that can affect WordPress updates. For example, low execution time limits, file upload size restrictions, or limited access to certain directories may hinder updates. Some hosts also disable certain functions in PHP for security or resource control purposes, which can interfere with updates. These settings can prevent WordPress from accessing the necessary files or resources during an update, resulting in these common WordPress errors.
Corrupted WordPress Core Files If any of the core files in WordPress become corrupted, it can prevent updates from running smoothly. This can occur during a failed update or when the WordPress core is improperly modified. If a core file is missing or broken, the update process may not be able to overwrite it or install new files, which could cause the "Update Failed" error.
Caching Issues Sometimes, cached data in your browser or on the server may cause issues with the update process. For instance, an old version of your website’s files might be cached, preventing WordPress from fetching the latest updates. This can result in WordPress showing outdated versions of plugins or themes and causing errors during updates. Clearing the cache or disabling caching temporarily can often solve this problem.
Faulty Network Connection A poor or intermittent internet connection between your server and the WordPress update servers can cause the update to fail. In cases where the server cannot retrieve the necessary update files due to connectivity issues, you may encounter the WordPress Update Failed Error. This issue can also occur if the server is unable to download large updates due to bandwidth limitations.
Incorrect Database Tables WordPress relies on its database to store important data about plugins, themes, and the site configuration. If database tables become corrupt or are incorrectly configured, updates may fail. Issues like table lock errors, slow database queries, or missing database fields can interfere with the update process. In such cases, the update may not be able to proceed, leaving your site in an incomplete or broken state.

By understanding these common causes, you can better diagnose the issue and take the necessary steps to resolve the WordPress Update Failed Error efficiently.

How to Resolve This WordPress Update Failed Error

Encountering the WordPress Update Failed Error can be a frustrating experience, but there are several steps you can take to resolve this issue and get your website back to full functionality. Whether the error is related to plugins, themes, or WordPress core updates, the following troubleshooting steps will guide you through fixing the problem.

1. Check and Fix File Permissions

As we discussed, one of the most common causes of the WordPress Update Failed Error is the incorrect file permissions. File permissions control who can access and modify files on your server, and if these permissions are misconfigured, WordPress may not have the necessary access to complete updates.

How to Fix File Permissions:

Access your website’s files via FTP (using an FTP client like FileZilla) or cPanel’s File Manager.
Navigate to your WordPress directory (usually public_html).
Check the permissions for your wp-content folder and its subfolders, especially the plugins and themes folders.
Ensure that these folders have 755 permissions, and files inside them should typically have 644 permissions.
If the permissions are incorrect, right-click on the folder or file and select Change Permissions to set them correctly.

Once you adjust the permissions, try running the update again to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Deactivate Plugins and Themes

Sometimes, a WordPress plugin conflicts can trigger the WordPress Update Failed Error. Outdated, incompatible, or poorly coded plugins or themes may interrupt the update process.

How to Deactivate Plugins and Themes:

Deactivate Plugins: Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Installed Plugins, and deactivate all your plugins.
Try updating your WordPress core or individual plugins/themes again.
If the update succeeds, reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the one causing the issue. Once you find the conflicting plugin, consider updating it or replacing it with an alternative.
Switch to Default Theme: Switch to a default WordPress theme (such as Twenty Twenty-One or Twenty Twenty-Two) if deactivating plugins doesn't work. The default theme can be activated by going to Appearance > Themes. Then attempt the update again. If the update works, your active theme might be the issue.

3. Increase PHP Memory Limit

If your WordPress site doesn’t have enough allocated PHP memory, the update process might fail, especially when updating large plugins or themes. WordPress will often display a WordPress Update Failed Error if it exceeds the server’s memory limit.

How to Increase PHP Memory Limit:

Access your WordPress root folder via FTP or cPanel and locate the wp-config.php file.
Add the following line just before the line that says "That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging.":

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

This increases WordPress memory limit to 256MB, which should be sufficient for most sites. If your hosting provider imposes stricter memory limits, you may need to contact them to adjust the limit.

Alternatively, edit the php.ini file: If you have access to the php.ini file, add the following:

memory_limit = 256M

After increasing the memory limit, try the update process again.

4. Check for Server or Hosting Issues

Sometimes, the issue lies with your server settings. Servers impose restrictions on resources like execution time, file upload limits, or timeout settings, which can cause updates to fail. You can check for these issues by looking at your server error logs or contacting your hosting provider.

How to Check Server Settings:

PHP Limits: Check with your hosting provider if the max_execution_time, upload_max_filesize, and post_max_size are set to values high enough to allow for successful updates. A value of 300 seconds for max execution time, and 64MB or higher for file upload size, is typically recommended.
Server Configuration: Ensure that the necessary server functions are enabled, including allow_url_fopen, which is required for remote file updates.
If you’re on shared hosting and cannot change these settings, contact your host’s support team to adjust them.

5. Manually Update WordPress

If the above steps do not resolve the WordPress Update Failed Error, you can try performing a manual update of WordPress. This method bypasses the WordPress dashboard and forces the update process to run through FTP.

How to Manually Update WordPress:

Download the Latest Version of WordPress: Go to the official WordPress website and download the latest version of WordPress.
Extract the Files: Unzip the downloaded file on your computer.
FTP Upload: Using an FTP client, upload the new WordPress files to your server, replacing the existing WordPress files (except the wp-content folder and wp-config.php file).
Run the Update Script: After uploading the files, navigate to yourdomain.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php in your browser to run the database upgrade.

This manual update method ensures that you’re working with the latest version of WordPress and can fix any core file issues that might be preventing automatic updates. For a detailed guide you can also visit our blog on "how to update WordPress website"

6. Clear Caching

Cached files either in your browser or on the server—can sometimes cause issues with WordPress updates. Outdated cached data may interfere with the update process, showing old plugin or theme versions that are no longer compatible.

How to Clear Cache:

Browser Cache: Clear your browser’s cache or try using an incognito/private window to eliminate old data that could be causing issues.
Server Cache: If you are using a caching plugin (such as W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache), go to the plugin settings and clear your WordPress cache. Additionally, if your hosting provider uses server-side caching, contact their support to clear it.

After clearing the cache, try updating again.

7. Check Database Tables

Corrupted or missing database tables can also prevent WordPress from updating successfully. If your database has issues, WordPress may fail to update core files, plugins, or themes. Running a database repair can often fix these issues.

Enable Database Repair: If your wp-config.php file does not already contain the following line, please add it:

define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

Once added, navigate to yourdomain.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php to initiate the repair process.
After the repair is complete, remove the above line from the wp-config.php file for security reasons.

Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above steps resolve the WordPress Update Failed Error, it might be time to contact your hosting provider. They can help check server logs, verify server configurations, and identify if there are any hosting-related issues that might be preventing the update from completing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the WordPress Update Failed error is very common issue that can prevent your site from staying up-to-date, leaving it vulnerable to security risks and performance issues. As we’ve seen, the error can be caused by various factors, including file permission issues, plugin or theme conflicts, insufficient PHP memory, server configurations, and more. Thankfully, there are several effective solutions to resolve the problem, such as adjusting file permissions, deactivating plugins, increasing PHP memory limits, and performing manual updates.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly diagnose and resolve the issue, ensuring your WordPress site remains secure and up-to-date. Remember, maintaining regular updates is essential for your site’s functionality and security. If the problem persists despite troubleshooting, don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider for further assistance. Keep your site running smoothly by addressing the WordPress Update Failed Error promptly.

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