How to Resolve Getting Stuck in Maintenance Mode after a WordPress Update

Introduction

WordPress is a popular content management system used by millions of websites around the world. It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive range of features. However, sometimes issues can arise, such as getting stuck in maintenance mode after an update. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind this problem and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to resolve it.

Understanding Maintenance Mode

Maintenance mode is a feature in WordPress that allows website administrators to temporarily disable access to their site while performing updates or making changes. When maintenance mode is enabled, visitors to the site will see a message informing them that the site is undergoing maintenance and will be back shortly. This is useful to prevent users from accessing a site that may be experiencing technical difficulties or undergoing significant changes.

Reasons for Getting Stuck in Maintenance Mode

While maintenance mode is a useful feature, it can sometimes cause issues, such as getting stuck in maintenance mode after an update. There are several reasons why this may happen:

Incomplete update: If the update process was interrupted or not completed properly, it can result in the site being stuck in maintenance mode.
Plugin or theme conflict: In some cases, a conflict between plugins or themes can trigger maintenance mode and prevent the site from coming out of it.
Insufficient server resources: If your server does not have enough resources to handle the update process, it may get stuck in maintenance mode.

Resolving the Issue

Method 1: Manually Disable Maintenance Mode

If your site is stuck in maintenance mode, the first step is to manually disable it. Follow these steps:

Connect to your website using an FTP client or a file manager provided by your hosting provider.
Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation.
Locate the file named .maintenance and delete it.
Once the file is deleted, refresh your website. It should now be out of maintenance mode.

If you still see the maintenance mode message after deleting the .maintenance file, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Check for Incomplete Update

If manually disabling maintenance mode did not work, it is possible that the update process was not completed properly. Follow these steps to check for an incomplete update:

Connect to your website using an FTP client or a file manager provided by your hosting provider.
Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation.
Look for a file named .maintenance or .maintenance.old. If you find either of these files, it indicates that the update process was interrupted.
Delete the .maintenance or .maintenance.old file.
Refresh your website to see if it is out of maintenance mode.

If the issue persists, proceed to the next method.

Method 3: Disable Plugins and Themes

In some cases, a conflict between plugins or themes can cause maintenance mode to get stuck. To resolve this, follow these steps:

Connect to your website using an FTP client or a file manager provided by your hosting provider.
Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation.
Locate the wp-content folder and rename it to wp-content-old.
Create a new folder named wp-content.
Refresh your website to see if it is out of maintenance mode. If it is, then the issue was caused by a plugin or theme.
If the site is out of maintenance mode, you can start activating the plugins and themes one by one to identify the one causing the conflict.
Once you have identified the problematic plugin or theme, you can either update it or find an alternative.

If disabling plugins and themes did not resolve the issue, proceed to the next method.

Method 4: Increase Server Resources

If your server does not have enough resources to handle the update process, it may get stuck in maintenance mode. To resolve this, you can try increasing the server resources. Here are a few ways to do it:

Contact your hosting provider and ask them to increase the server resources for your website.
If you have access to the server configuration, you can try increasing the PHP memory limit and execution time.
Optimize your website by removing unnecessary plugins, themes, and media files.
Consider upgrading to a higher hosting plan that offers more resources.

Conclusion

Getting stuck in maintenance mode after a WordPress update can be frustrating, but it is a problem that can be resolved. By following the methods outlined in this blog post, you should be able to get your website out of maintenance mode and back to normal. Remember to always backup your website before making any changes or updates to minimize the risk of data loss. If you are still experiencing issues, it is recommended to seek assistance from a WordPress developer or your hosting provider.