Fix WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” Error Easily

Imagine this: you get a notification of a new WordPress core update. So you open the WordPress dashboard and visit the “Updates” section in the hopes of having your site’s core updated. But what you see is “Another Update is Currently in Progress”. You can’t really do anything beyond that.

But can you? Is there a way to fix the WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” error? Well, yes. Professional WordPress developers go about this solution a few different ways and we will cover them through this blog.

But let’s begin with the root cause of this issue.

What Causes the Update in Progress Error?

This error can be a major roadblock, especially if you need to make urgent updates or are in the middle of a redesign. But to fix it effectively, you will need to explore the causes:

Incomplete Updates

A previous WordPress core, plugin, or theme update might have failed to complete. This can leave your website in a sort of “limbo” state, where it thinks an update is still running, preventing new ones from starting. This could be due to a server timeout, a sudden loss of internet connection, or a conflict with another process.

Conflicting Plugins

Certain plugins might interfere with the update process. This is especially common with caching or security plugins that have a deeper level of integration with WordPress core files.

Database Locking

WordPress uses database locking during updates to prevent data corruption. If this lock doesn’t release properly after an update, it can trigger the error.

Browser Cache

In some cases, your browser might be displaying an outdated cached version of your WordPress dashboard, leading to the error message even if no update is actually in progress.

WordPress Cron Issues

WordPress uses a system called “cron” to schedule tasks, including updates. If there’s a problem with WordPress Cron, it can disrupt the update process and cause this error.

Hire our WordPress experts if you want to know which of these issues is causing the “Another Update is Currently in Progress” error on your website.

How to Fix the WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” Error?

Before you work on fixing it, you need to understand that these types of errors are quite prevalent in WordPress development. So you need to be patient; give it 15-30 minutes, refresh your browser, and see if the error clears. If yes, it’s well and good.

If not, you can go ahead with the fix via three different approaches.

Via a WordPress Plugin

WordPress plugins are this platform’s greatest commodity. Whether you want to integrate a new feature or take care of things like performance and security, plugins can be great help. To that end, the plugin Fix Another Update In Progress is what you need to install. Let’s look at the procedure.

Step 1: Log into your WordPress admin dashboard.

Step 2: Go to “Plugins” → “Add New Plugin”. That will lead to the official WordPress plugin repository.

Step 3: Search for “Fix another update in progress” and click to install the plugin. You can also download the plugin manually and upload the .zip to the website.

Step 4: Activate the plugin on the website.

After activation, you’ll see the option “Fix Another Update in Progress” on the left-side menu.

Step 5: If you see the “Another Update Currently in Progress” error on your dashboard, click the plugin option and tap on the “Fix WordPress Update Lock” button.

The database entry will be instantly removed and the error will be gone. Your “Updates” page will be good to go again.

Via PHPMyAdmin

PHPMyAdmin is an outstanding tool that manages creating, browsing, and editing the databases, tables, views, columns, and indexes. It can also help run queries, add user accounts, and manage SQL statements.

It can help fix the WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” error. Here’s how the process goes:

Step 1: Access the cPanel of your WordPress hosting and open phpMyAdmin.

Step 2: Locate and select the database associated with your WordPress website.

Step 3: In the list of tables, click on wp_options.

Step 4: Search for the option named core_updater.lock. You can use the search function within phpMyAdmin or browse through the rows.

Step 5: Click the “Delete” button next to the core_updater.lock option to remove it.

Via WP-CLI

Another way to go about fixing this error is through the WP-CLI, the official command-line interface for WordPress. Needless to say, first you will have to install WP-CLI. Then you can go ahead with the solution.

Step 1: Connect to your server via SSH.

Step 2: Use the cd command to navigate to your WordPress installation directory.

Step 3: Execute the following WP-CLI command:

wp option delete core_updater.lock

This command will delete the core_updater.lock option from your database. Then, you can gain back the control over your WordPress updates, which you know are important.

Still seeing the “Another Update is Currently in Progress” error on your website? Then hire our WordPress development services. We’ll take care of this and other common WordPress errors.

How to Avoid the WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” Error?

While this error can be frustrating for any website owner trying to keep up with the updates, there are a few ways to minimize its occurrence, potentially avoid it.

• Don’t Delay Updates: Outdated software is more prone to conflicts and errors. Keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up-to-date to ensure compatibility and smooth updates.   
• Update One at a Time: Update each component (core, theme, plugin) individually. This helps you pinpoint the source of any issues that may arise.
• Reliable Hosting: Choose a reputable web hosting provider that offers stable servers and resources. A poorly configured server can contribute to update failures.
• Sufficient Resources: Ensure your hosting plan provides enough memory and processing power to handle WordPress updates.
• Quality Plugins: Install plugins only from trusted sources like the WordPress Plugin Directory. Avoid poorly coded or outdated plugins.
• Limit Plugins: Too many plugins can create conflicts and slow down your website. Deactivate or uninstall any plugins you don’t need.
• Update Plugins Regularly: Keep your plugins updated to their latest versions for bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
• Use a Staging Site: A staging site is a copy of your live website where you can safely test updates and changes before applying them to your live site. This helps you identify potential issues before they affect your visitors.
• Clear Cache Regularly: Clear your browser cache periodically to ensure you’re seeing the latest version of your WordPress dashboard. If you use a caching plugin, clear its cache after updates to avoid conflicts.

If you still need help, hire our WordPress experts to maintain a smooth and efficient update process.

FAQs on WordPress “Another Update is Currently in Progress” Error

Let’s Summarize

The “Another Update is Currently in Progress” error in WordPress can be a real obstacle to keeping your site updated and secure. It can be due to stalled update, plugin conflict, caching issue, or something else. But you can take care of it with a WordPress plugin, phpMyAdmin, or WP-CLI.

Remember, you can also prevent this error; by keeping the core and extensions updated, and using a staging environment.

If you still run into this issue or others, don’t panic. Just follow the due process or hire our WordPress professionals today!