How To Fix Common WordPress Plugin Update Errors (Step-by-Step-Guide)

Keeping your WordPress plugins up to date is an essential task for every website owner. However, sometimes updates don’t go as smoothly as expected. You might encounter unexpected errors or notice that your site starts behaving oddly right after you click the update button.

The good news is that these issues are quite common and are generally referred to as WordPress plugin update errors. In most cases, they can be resolved quickly with the right approach. 

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the most common plugin update problems, explaining them in simple terms and providing step-by-step solutions. So, let’s dive in and get started!

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Backup Your WordPress Site First

Before trying to fix any WordPress plugin update errors, it’s always smart to back up your site. Updates can sometimes go wrong, and a backup acts like a safety net. 

You won’t lose your content, settings, or customizations if something breaks. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus, Jetpack, or BackupBuddy to create full backups with just a few clicks. If you prefer the manual way, use your hosting panel’s file manager and phpMyAdmin to download your files and database. 

Either method works; just make sure you’ve got a recent copy saved before making changes. This way, you can restore your site anytime if things don’t go as expected. It’s a simple step, but it saves a lot of trouble later. 

A good backup gives you peace of mind while you work through plugin errors, and it’s something every site owner should get used to doing regularly.

Clear Browser and WordPress Cache

Sometimes, a plugin seems like it didn’t update properly, but it’s just a caching issue. Your browser or WordPress site might still be showing the old version. That’s why clearing your cache is a quick and easy fix for many WordPress plugin update errors. 

First, clear your browser cache, open your browser settings, find the "Clear browsing data" option, and delete cached files. Then, clear the WordPress cache. If you’re using a caching plugin like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache, go into the plugin settings and hit the "Clear Cache" or "Purge All" button. 

This makes sure you’re seeing the latest version of your site. Skipping this step might make you think the update failed when it actually didn’t. So, before trying anything complicated, always start by clearing the cache. It’s quick, safe, and often solves the problem without any further steps.

Deactivate All Plugins Temporarily

Plugin conflicts are one of the most common causes of WordPress plugin update errors. Two plugins may not work well together, especially after an update. So, a good first step is to temporarily deactivate all your plugins. 

Don’t worry, you won’t lose settings. Just go to your dashboard, open the Plugins page, and select “Deactivate” for each one. If you can’t access your dashboard, use FTP or your hosting panel’s File Manager and rename the /plugins/ folder inside wp-content.

After deactivating everything, try updating the plugin again. If it works, reactivate your plugins one by one. After each activation, check if the issue returns. When it does, you’ll know which plugin is causing trouble. This method helps you isolate the problem without doing anything too technical. 

Increase PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, WordPress plugin update errors occur because your website runs out of memory during the update process. Think of it as your site trying to handle too many tasks at once and crashing halfway through.

A simple way to fix this is by increasing the PHP memory limit. To do this, open your wp-config.php file (found in your WordPress root folder) and add the following line just above the “That’s all, stop editing!” comment:

If that doesn’t resolve the problem, you can try adjusting it in your php.ini or .htaccess file by adding:

If you’re not comfortable making these changes, simply ask your hosting provider to increase the memory limit for you. Giving your site more memory ensures it can process updates smoothly without crashing.

This quick adjustment is often all it takes to get past the error. While it may sound technical, it’s actually a straightforward fix once you know where to look. For more detailed guidance, you can also check this step-by-step article on fixing wordpress memory limit error.

Fix File Permissions

If your plugin updates keep failing, the issue might be related to incorrect file permissions. Each file and folder in your WordPress installation has permission settings that determine what actions WordPress can perform. When these settings are wrong, updates may not work as expected.

To fix this, access your site through an FTP client or your hosting panel’s File Manager. Generally, WordPress folders should have permissions set to 755, while files should be set to 644.

If you find any differences, right-click and adjust the values accordingly. Be careful not to change everything blindly—only correct the ones that are set incorrectly. Wrong permissions can not only block plugin updates but also cause serious site issues.

By ensuring file permissions are properly configured, you give WordPress the access it needs to update plugins smoothly. While it might sound a bit technical, it’s quite straightforward once you’ve done it once. This step is especially helpful if you’ve recently migrated your site or switched hosting providers. For beginners, learning about file permissions can be an important part of setting up a wordpress site correctly from the start.

Manually Update the Plugin

If the auto-update isn’t working, there’s always the manual route. It might sound complicated, but it’s not too bad. Head to WordPress.org, search for the plugin you need, and download the latest version as a ZIP file. 

After that, log in to your hosting panel and open the File Manager or use an FTP client like FileZilla. Go to wp-content/plugins, and delete the folder of the plugin that’s causing problems. Now upload the new plugin folder you just downloaded and unzip it. 

That’s it, you’ve manually updated the plugin! This method works great when plugin files get corrupted during automatic updates. It’s also a good fallback when nothing else works. 

So if you're stuck with WordPress plugin update errors and can't fix it the usual way, this approach gives you more control and a reliable way to get your plugin working again.

Check Plugin Compatibility

Sometimes, the plugin update itself isn’t broken; it just doesn’t play well with your WordPress version. This happens a lot when either the plugin or your WordPress core is outdated. That’s why checking compatibility is key. 

You can start by looking at the plugin’s page on WordPress.org. Scroll down to see which versions of WordPress it supports. If your site runs a different version, that might explain the issue. In that case, you’ve got two options: 

Update your WordPress core after backing up, or you can roll back the plugin to an older version using a plugin like WP Rollback. This lets you go back to the last working version without breaking your site. 

Keeping everything updated is important, but so is making sure updates work well together. Compatibility checks help you avoid unexpected WordPress plugin update errors and keep your site running smoothly. 

Check Error Logs for Hints

If you’ve tried everything and the error still won’t go away, your site’s error logs might hold the answer. These logs keep track of anything that goes wrong behind the scenes. You can usually find them in your hosting control panel under "Errors" or inside your site files, look for a file called error_log. 

Open it up and scan for anything related to the plugin or update you just tried. It may mention a specific file, line number, or memory issue. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything. Just note the message and search for it online or share it with a developer. 

Error logs are like clues. They don’t fix things by themselves, but they help you figure out what went wrong and what to do next. For stubborn WordPress plugin update errors, this step can point you in the right direction.

Disable Maintenance Mode

When you update a plugin, WordPress briefly puts your site into maintenance mode. Normally, it disappears once the update finishes. But if the update gets interrupted, your site might stay stuck in that mode with a message like, “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance.” 

Don’t panic, as it’s an easy fix. Just connect to your site using FTP or File Manager in your hosting panel. Look for a file named .maintenance in the root folder (where wp-config.php is located). 

Delete that file, and your site should come back online right away. This problem isn’t dangerous, but it can confuse your visitors and make your site look broken. Fixing it takes less than a minute, and it’s a quick win when dealing with WordPress plugin update errors that leave your site hanging.

Contact Plugin Support or Use Forums

If you’ve tried all the steps and the issue still isn’t resolved, it’s time to reach out for help. You’re not alone; plugin developers and users often discuss these problems online. First, go to the plugin’s support section on WordPress.org. You can post your issue or see if someone else has had the same problem. 

If the plugin has its own website, there might be a contact form or live chat. Also, try looking in Facebook groups, Reddit communities, or WordPress support forums. When you ask for help, be specific, share the error message, what you’ve tried, and your WordPress version. People are more likely to help when they know the full story. 

While WordPress plugin update errors can be frustrating, you’ll often find a solution faster by simply asking the right people. Don’t hesitate to reach out; most folks in the WordPress space are happy to help. 

Conclusion 

Most WordPress plugin update errors can be resolved with patience and the right approach. You don’t need to be an expert just take it step by step and apply one solution at a time. To avoid unwanted surprises, it’s always a good idea to test updates on a staging site before applying them to your live website. And if you’re building a site from scratch, consider using a WP theme bundle to ensure you have reliable, pre-tested templates that minimize conflicts and keep your site running smoothly.