How to Disable Automatic Updates in WordPress?

Automatic updates in WordPress are among this platform’s best highlights. It ensures your website is always facilitated with the best core software and the latest iterations of plugins and themes. So you get the latest design and the best features and functionalities.

But sometimes, having automatic updates may lead to issues like “Another update is currently in progress”. So how do WordPress experts disable automatic updates and what kind of benefits that offers. Let’s begin.

How to Disable Automatic Updates in WordPress Manually?

While automatic updates keep your WordPress site secure, they can sometimes lead to unexpected issues like website crashes, plugin conflicts, or theme compatibility problems.

You need to disable the core and theme and plugin updates separately. For that, you need to access the wp-config.php and functions.php files in the WordPress core file structure. That can be done via the FTP client or using the hosting cPanel.

First, edit the wp-config.php file and add the following code excerpt.

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );

And if you want to disable the automatic updates for the WordPress theme and plugins, you’ll have to edit the functions.php file.

To disable the automatic plugin updates, add this code excerpt.

add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', '__return_false' );

To disable the automatic plugin updates, add this code excerpt.

add_filter( 'auto_update_theme', '__return_false' );

But before you go ahead with these code edits, make sure to take backup of your WordPress website. And get expert help if you’re not comfortable with editing core files.

How to Disable Automatic Updates with WordPress Plugins?

WordPress plugins are like cheat codes for the websites. You can add almost any type of feature or functionality quickly and efficiently. So it’s not crazy to think a plugin can help you disable automatic updates.

You can install a WordPress plugin like Easy Updates Manager. This plugin provides a simple and straightforward way to disable automatic updates for core, plugins, and themes. It’s easy to use and offers granular control over your update process.

Just log into the WordPress admin dashboard, go to the plugin section, click “Add New”, and look for the plugin “Easy Updates Manager”. Then install and activate the plugin.

In the plugin, you can select “Disable auto updates” for plugins, theme, and the WordPress core. That will prevent any update from happening automatically.

But make sure you don’t pick “Disable plugin updates” or “Disable theme updates”; otherwise you won’t even receive notifications about the updates.

If you need help with ensuring timely updates while preventing any potential issue, hire our professional WordPress development company for maintenance. We will ensure your website stays updated and error-free, while you focus on the core business.

Why Disable Automatic Updates in WordPress?

While auto updates are quite helpful in saving time and effort unnecessarily wasted in keeping everything up-to-date, there are some downsides. Look at the specific scenarios.

Customizations and Modifications

If you’ve made significant customizations to your WordPress core, themes, or plugins, automatic updates can potentially overwrite these changes, leading to website disruptions. Disabling automatic updates allows you to test updates on a staging site before implementing them on your live site, ensuring compatibility with your customizations.

Resource Constraints

If your hosting plan has limited resources or your website experiences heavy traffic, automatic updates might consume valuable server resources, potentially impacting performance. By disabling automatic updates, you can schedule updates during off-peak hours or periods of low traffic to minimize performance impact.

Complex Website Configurations

For websites with intricate setups, multiple plugins, and custom integrations, automatic updates can sometimes cause conflicts or break functionality. Disabling automatic updates gives you more control over the update process, allowing you to carefully assess the impact of each update before proceeding.

Testing & Staging Environment

If you have a staging environment, disabling automatic updates on your live site allows you to test updates in a controlled environment before deploying them to your production site. This helps identify and resolve any potential issues before they affect your live website.

But don’t just let go of the updates after you have disabled the auto-updates. Make sure to keep them up for the best features and functionalities as well as security of the website.

Or you may opt for our WordPress website maintenance packages to ensure the best results.

FAQs on Disabling Auto Updates in WordPress

Let’s Summarize

Disabling automatic updates in WordPress can offer a higher degree of control over your website’s update process. However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully. While it can help mitigate potential risks like unexpected downtime and compatibility issues, it also requires more manual effort and vigilance.

You can either edit the core files like wp-config.php and functions.php or install a plugin like Easy Updates Manager to disable the automatic updates.

For more information or support with updates on your website, hire WordPress professionals today!