Ever tried updating your WordPress site only to find it stuck on a frustrating “maintenance mode” message? You’re not alone—this common glitch can catch any site owner off guard, leaving your website inaccessible to visitors.
Understanding why WordPress gets stuck in maintenance mode is essential for keeping your site running smoothly. In this article, we’ll explain what causes this issue and walk you through simple steps to fix it, plus share tips to prevent it from happening again.
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Why WordPress Gets Stuck in Maintenance Mode
If you’ve ever tried updating your WordPress site—whether themes, plugins, or core WordPress itself—you might have seen a plain message saying, “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.” Usually, this page disappears quickly. However, sometimes WordPress gets stuck in maintenance mode, leaving your site inaccessible for both you and your visitors.
Let’s break down why this happens, how you can fix it quickly, and what best practices you can use to avoid it in the future.
What Is WordPress Maintenance Mode?
When you update WordPress, it automatically triggers maintenance mode to prevent issues during the process. At this stage:
- WordPress creates a temporary
.maintenancefile in your site’s root directory. - Your site displays a basic maintenance message to visitors.
Once the update finishes, WordPress removes the .maintenance file, and your site returns to normal. But if something interrupts this process, such as a failed update, server timeout, or low memory, the .maintenance file may stick around—leaving your site stuck in maintenance mode until you fix it.
Common Causes of Being Stuck in Maintenance Mode
Understanding why this happens can help prevent it in the future. Main causes include:
- Interrupted Updates: Server timeouts, browser refreshes, or closing the browser tab mid-update can prevent the update from finishing.
- Multiple Updates at Once: Running several updates together can strain your server, increasing the risk something stalls.
- Incompatible Plugins or Themes: If a plugin or theme update fails due to compatibility problems, the process is incomplete.
- Limited Server Resources: Shared hosting or low-resource environments may timeout or quit during the update.
- Manual Errors: Accidentally deleting or modifying important files like
.maintenanceduring an update can also cause issues.
How to Fix the “Stuck in Maintenance Mode” Problem
The fix is easier than you might think. You’re about to learn a simple, effective (and safe!) method to get your WordPress site back to normal.
Step 1: Access Your WordPress Root Directory
First, you need to connect to your website’s files. You can do this using:
- An FTP client (like FileZilla)
- Your hosting leader’s file manager (often found in cPanel or another control panel)
Log in using your FTP credentials or hosting dashboard.
Step 2: Find and Delete the .maintenance File
Once you’re in your site’s root directory (usually named public_html, www, or after your website),
- Look for a file called
.maintenance. - Select the
.maintenancefile. - Delete it.
That’s it! Once it’s gone, your maintenance message should disappear and your site should function normally.
Step 3: Check for Incomplete Updates
After removing the file, log into your WordPress admin dashboard. Look for any themes, plugins, or core files that didn’t finish updating:
- If you see a message that an update failed, re-try the update.
- If a plugin or theme is missing, re-install or update it as needed.
Advanced Troubleshooting (If Fixes Don’t Work)
If deleting .maintenance doesn’t fix the problem, consider:
- Clearing Browser and Site Cache: Sometimes caching plugins or browser cache store the “maintenance” page even after the file is deleted.
- Restoring from Backup: If something else broke during the update, restore your site from a recent backup.
- Diagnosing for Plugin/Theme Conflicts: Deactivate problematic plugins or switch to a default theme to narrow down issues.
- Reviewing Error Logs: Check server error logs for information on what went wrong.
Best Practices to Prevent Getting Stuck in Maintenance Mode
Prevention is always easier than cure. Here are practical tips to avoid this headache in the future:
1. Backup Regularly
- Always take a full backup before updating WordPress, plugins, or themes.
- This helps you restore your site if an update fails.
2. Avoid Bulk Updates
- Update plugins, themes, and core files one at a time.
- This way, if something fails, you know exactly what caused it.
3. Ensure Stable Internet and Hosting
- Avoid updates during high-traffic times.
- Make sure your internet connection is stable.
- Choose reliable hosting that can handle updates smoothly.
4. Keep Plugins/Themes Up to Date
- Regularly update your themes and plugins to reduce the chance of compatibility issues.
- Always use themes and plugins from trusted sources.
5. Don’t Close Browser During Updates
- Wait for all updates to finish before closing your browser or navigating away from the update page.
Practical Tips and Advice
To make your WordPress website management even smoother, keep these tips in mind:
- Enable Automatic Updates Carefully: WordPress allows automatic updates, but monitor your site for issues when they’re active.
- Set Up Email Alerts: Many management plugins can notify you if your site goes into maintenance mode or fails an update.
- Use Staging Environments: Test updates on a clone (staging site) before applying them to your live website.
- Choose Reliable Hosting: Hosting quality matters. Managed WordPress hosting often includes auto-fixes for common issues.
- Understand File Visibility Settings: The
.maintenancefile is hidden by default (files starting with a dot). Ensure your file manager shows hidden files.
Cost-Saving Tips
While there are no direct shipping or logistics costs with fixing maintenance mode, you can save on potential site downtime and avoid hiring developers by:
- Learning Basic FTP Skills: Avoid paying someone for a simple file deletion.
- Automating Backups with Free Plugins: Plenty of free options exist that can help you avoid expensive rescue operations.
- Using Free Support Forums: Before paying for help, check if your hosting provider offers free WordPress support.
Outages can harm your business through lost revenue and reputation. Fixing maintenance mode yourself keeps your website running smoothly—without extra expense.
Summary
WordPress sometimes gets stuck in maintenance mode when an update is interrupted or something goes wrong. By simply logging into your site’s files and deleting the .maintenance file, you usually solve the problem in moments. You can minimize future problems by updating wisely, taking backups, and using quality plugins, themes, and hosting.
Website management doesn’t have to be intimidating. With these steps and best practices, you’ll keep your WordPress site healthy, accessible, and running smoothly—no matter what updates you perform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exactly triggers WordPress maintenance mode?
Whenever you update WordPress core, themes, or plugins, WordPress creates a temporary .maintenance file in your site’s root directory. This file lets visitors know your site is being updated and will be back soon.
How do I remove my WordPress site from maintenance mode if I don’t see the .maintenance file?
Check that your file manager or FTP client is set to show hidden files (those beginning with a dot). Once visible, delete the .maintenance file. If it’s still not found, try refreshing, clearing cache, or contacting your host for assistance.
Can plugins or themes cause maintenance mode to get stuck?
Yes. If an update to a plugin or theme fails, or if there’s a compatibility issue, maintenance mode might not turn off automatically. Always update one at a time and check compatibility before performing updates.
Will deleting the maintenance file harm my website?
No. Deleting the .maintenance file simply removes the message and returns your site to normal operation. However, check that no updates are actively running before deleting the file.
How can I prevent my WordPress site from getting stuck in maintenance mode again?
- Run updates one by one.
- Always back up your website before updating.
- Use reliable hosting.
- Avoid closing the browser during updates.
- Keep plugins and themes updated to compatible versions.
Master these best practices, and you’ll rarely face this issue again!