How To Fix WordPress Update Error

If you’ve encountered a frustrating error while trying to update your WordPress website, don’t worry – help is at hand. In this article, you’ll discover practical tips and tricks to fix those stubborn update errors that can sometimes leave you feeling stuck. Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress user or just starting out, these simple solutions will have your website up and running smoothly in no time. So, let’s dive right in and tackle that WordPress update error!

Common WordPress Update Errors

Internal Server Error

The internal server error is one of the most common WordPress update errors that users encounter. This error occurs when there is an issue with the server, but the server does not provide specific information about the problem. To fix this error, you can try the following steps:

1. Check for conflicting plugins: Deactivate all the plugins on your WordPress site and then try updating again. If the error disappears, you can reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the one causing the problem.

2. Increase the PHP memory limit: This error can also occur due to insufficient memory allocated to PHP. You can increase the memory limit by editing your wp-config.php file or the .htaccess file, which will be discussed later in this article.

Syntax Error

A syntax error occurs when you mistakenly enter incorrect code in your WordPress files. This type of error can result in a white screen or a syntax error message being displayed on your website. To fix this error, you need to locate the file that contains the syntax error and correct the code. Make sure to backup the file before making any changes, as incorrect modifications can potentially break your site. If you are not familiar with coding, it may be best to seek assistance from a professional or the WordPress support community.

White Screen of Death

The white screen of death is a common error that can occur after a WordPress update. It refers to a situation where your website shows a blank white screen instead of the expected content. This error can be caused by various issues, including plugin conflicts, theme compatibility problems, or PHP errors. To troubleshoot the white screen of death, you can try the following steps:

1. Deactivate plugins and switch to a default theme: Start by deactivating all your plugins and switching to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If the white screen disappears, you can then activate the plugins and theme one by one to identify the specific cause.

2. Increase PHP memory limit: This error can also be resolved by increasing the PHP memory limit, as discussed earlier.

3. Enable debugging mode: Enabling WordPress debugging mode can help identify the root cause of the error by displaying error messages. To enable debugging, add the following line of code to your wp-config.php file: define('WP_DEBUG', true);.

Connection Timed Out

The connection timed out error occurs when your WordPress site takes too long to respond while attempting to update. This can happen due to various reasons, such as server issues, slow internet connection, or conflicts with certain plugins. To resolve this error, you can try the following:

1. Increase PHP and WordPress memory limits: By increasing the memory limits, you allow more resources for the update process, potentially reducing the chances of a timeout error.

2. Disable unnecessary plugins: Deactivate any plugins that are not essential for the update process. This can help avoid conflicts and improve the performance of your site during the update.

3. Verify your internet connection: Ensure that you have a stable and reliable internet connection to prevent any interruptions during the update.

Error Establishing a Database Connection

The error establishing a database connection error occurs when WordPress is unable to connect to your site’s database. This error can be caused by incorrect database credentials, issues with the database server, or corrupted database files. To fix this error, you can follow these steps:

1. Check your database credentials: Verify that the database credentials entered in your wp-config.php file are correct. Double-check the database name, username, password, and database host.

2. Repair and optimize the database: You can use the built-in repair and optimize functionality in WordPress or a plugin like WP-DBManager to fix any corrupted or fragmented database tables.

3. Contact your hosting provider: If the issue persists, it’s recommended to reach out to your hosting provider for assistance. They can help diagnose and resolve any server-related issues that may be causing the error.

Troubleshooting Plugins and Themes

Deactivating Plugins

When experiencing issues after a WordPress update, one of the first troubleshooting steps is to deactivate all plugins. Sometimes, a conflict between plugins or a plugin not being compatible with the updated version of WordPress can cause errors. By deactivating all plugins, you can determine if the problem lies within one of them.

To deactivate your plugins, access your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” section. Select all the plugins and choose the “Deactivate” option from the bulk actions dropdown menu. After deactivation, check if the problem still persists. If the error is resolved, you can then activate the plugins one by one to identify the problematic plugin.

Updating Plugins and Themes

Keeping your plugins and themes up to date is essential for a secure and smoothly functioning WordPress site. Outdated plugins or themes may not be fully compatible with the latest version of WordPress, leading to errors or vulnerabilities. To update your plugins and themes, follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress admin dashboard and go to the “Plugins” or “Appearance” section, depending on whether you are updating a plugin or theme.

2. Look for the updates notification or a list of available updates. Select the plugins or themes that require updating.

3. Click on the “Update” button to initiate the update process. WordPress will automatically download and install the latest version, replacing the outdated files.

4. After updating, test your site to ensure that the updates were successful and that no errors occur.

Switching to a Default Theme

In some cases, a theme may not be fully compatible with a WordPress update, resulting in errors or display issues. To troubleshoot this, you can switch to a default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-One. This will help determine if the problem is caused by your current theme or another source. Follow these steps to switch to a default theme:

1. Access your WordPress admin dashboard and go to the “Appearance” section.

2. Navigate to the “Themes” tab and select the default theme you want to switch to.

3. Click on the “Activate” button next to the chosen theme. Your site will now use the default theme.

4. Test your site to see if the errors are resolved. If the problem disappears after switching themes, it indicates that the issue is with your previous theme. You may need to contact the theme developer for support or consider using a different theme.

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Checking Server Requirements

PHP Version

WordPress recommends using PHP version 7.4 or above. However, older versions of PHP can still function; they may lack certain features and security enhancements. To check your PHP version:

1. Access your hosting account control panel or use an FTP client to connect to your server.

2. Locate the file named phpinfo.php in your WordPress installation directory.

3. Open the file in a text editor and search for the line that starts with “PHP Version” or something similar.

4. Make a note of your PHP version and compare it to the recommended version. If your version is outdated, you may need to contact your hosting provider to upgrade it.

MySQL Version

MySQL is the database management system used by WordPress. It is crucial to have a compatible MySQL version to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. To check your MySQL version:

1. Access your hosting account control panel or use an FTP client to connect to your server.

2. Locate the file named phpinfo.php in your WordPress installation directory (if it exists).

3. Open the file in a text editor and search for the line that starts with “mysql” or “mysqli”.

4. Make a note of the MySQL version and compare it to the latest supported version. If your version is outdated, consider contacting your hosting provider to upgrade it.

Available Disk Space

Having sufficient disk space is necessary for smooth operation and updates in WordPress. If your disk space is running low, it can cause errors during updates. To check your available disk space:

1. Access your hosting account control panel or use an FTP client to connect to your server.

2. Look for the “File Manager” or “Disk Usage” option in your control panel.

3. Open the file manager or disk usage tool to view the amount of available disk space.

4. If your available disk space is low, you may need to remove unnecessary files or contact your hosting provider to increase your storage capacity.

Memory Limit

The memory limit defines the maximum amount of memory PHP can allocate for script execution. Running out of memory can lead to various errors, including the ones encountered during WordPress updates. To check your memory limit:

1. Access your hosting account control panel or use an FTP client to connect to your server.

2. Locate the file named php.ini in your WordPress installation directory.

3. Open the file in a text editor and search for the line that starts with “memory_limit”.

4. Make a note of your memory limit. If the limit is insufficient, it can be increased by editing the php.ini file or the wp-config.php file, as explained in the next section.

Updating WordPress Manually

Download Latest WordPress Version

Before updating WordPress manually, you need to download the latest version of WordPress from the official website. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the WordPress.org website and click on the “Download” button on the homepage.

2. The latest version of WordPress will start downloading as a ZIP file to your computer.

3. Once the download is complete, extract the ZIP file to obtain the WordPress installation folder.

Back Up Your Site

Creating a backup of your WordPress site is crucial before performing a manual update. This ensures that you have a copy of your site’s files and database should anything go wrong during the update process. You can back up your site using a plugin or manually through your hosting control panel. Here is a general outline of the backup process:

1. Use a backup plugin: Install and activate a reliable backup plugin from the WordPress plugin repository. Follow the plugin’s instructions to create a full backup of your site.

2. Manual backup: If you prefer a manual backup, access your hosting account control panel and look for the “Backup” or “Backup Wizard” option. Follow the provided instructions to create a backup of your WordPress files and database.

3. Store the backup securely: Make sure to store the backup files in a safe location away from your WordPress installation. This can be a remote storage service, external hard drive, or cloud storage.

Delete Existing WordPress Files

To update WordPress manually, you need to delete the existing WordPress files. Before deleting anything, ensure that you have a complete backup of your site. Follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory through an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Select all the files and folders located in the root directory (excluding the wp-config.php file and the wp-content folder).

3. Delete the selected files and folders. Be cautious not to delete the wp-config.php file or the wp-content folder, as they contain important data and settings.

Upload New WordPress Files

After deleting the old WordPress files, you can upload the new WordPress files you downloaded earlier. Follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory through an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Transfer all the files and folders from the extracted WordPress installation folder to your WordPress directory, replacing the old files.

3. If prompted, choose the option to overwrite the existing files.

Run the Update Script

Once you have uploaded the new WordPress files, you may need to run the update script to ensure the database is updated. Follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress admin dashboard by visiting your website’s URL followed by “/wp-admin”.

2. If necessary, log in using your admin credentials.

3. If there is an update script required, WordPress will automatically detect it and display an update notification. Click on the “Update WordPress” button to initiate the update process.

4. WordPress will run the update script, which may take a few moments. Once the process is complete, you will receive a confirmation message.

5. Test your site thoroughly after the update to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

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Examining .htaccess and wp-config.php Files

Check the .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is an important configuration file for your WordPress site. It can contain various directives that control how your site behaves. Sometimes, a misconfiguration or incorrect code in this file can cause errors during WordPress updates. To examine the .htaccess file:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory. If it is not visible, ensure that your FTP client or file manager is configured to show hidden files.

3. Download a copy of the .htaccess file to your computer and open it in a text editor.

4. Review the contents of the file for any suspicious or incorrect code. If you are unsure, compare it with a default .htaccess file from a fresh WordPress installation.

5. Make any necessary modifications or corrections to the file, saving your changes when finished.

Check the wp-config.php File

The wp-config.php file is a vital part of your WordPress installation, containing important configuration settings and database credentials. Errors or inconsistencies in this file can lead to issues during updates. To examine the wp-config.php file:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory.

3. Download a copy of the wp-config.php file to your computer and open it in a text editor.

4. Review the contents of the file, ensuring that the database credentials and other configurations are accurate. Check for any typos, missing or extra characters, or missing required constants.

5. Make any necessary modifications or corrections to the file, saving your changes when finished.

Increasing PHP Memory Limit

Edit wp-config.php File

To increase the PHP memory limit for your WordPress site, you can edit the wp-config.php file. Follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory.

3. Download a copy of the wp-config.php file to your computer and open it in a text editor.

4. Add the following line of code just before the line that says “/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */”:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); 

5. Save your changes and upload the modified wp-config.php file back to your WordPress directory, replacing the existing file.

Edit .htaccess File

If the above method does not work or you do not have access to the wp-config.php file, you can also increase the PHP memory limit by editing the .htaccess file. Follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.

3. Download a copy of the .htaccess file to your computer and open it in a text editor.

4. Add the following line of code at the bottom of the file:

php_value memory_limit 256M 

5. Save your changes and upload the modified .htaccess file back to your WordPress directory, replacing the existing file.

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Fixing File and Folder Permissions

Setting Correct File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can cause issues during WordPress updates or compromise the security of your site. To fix file permissions, follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Select all the files and folders in your WordPress directory.

3. Right-click and choose the “File Permissions” or “Change Permissions” option, depending on your FTP client.

4. Set the file permissions (numeric value) to 644 for files and 755 for folders.

5. Apply the changes and make sure that the permissions are correctly updated for all files and folders.

Setting Correct Folder Permissions

Similar to file permissions, incorrect folder permissions can cause errors during WordPress updates or lead to security vulnerabilities. Here’s how to fix folder permissions:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Select all the folders in your WordPress directory.

3. Right-click and choose the “File Permissions” or “Change Permissions” option, depending on your FTP client.

4. Set the folder permissions (numeric value) to 755.

5. Apply the changes and ensure that the permissions are correctly applied to all folders.

Clearing WordPress Cache

Using a Plugin

If you use a caching plugin on your WordPress site, clearing the cache can resolve certain update errors. The exact process may vary depending on the caching plugin you are using. However, the general steps are as follows:

1. Access your WordPress admin dashboard and go to the “Plugins” section.

2. Locate your caching plugin and look for a “Clear Cache” or similar option.

3. Click on the provided button to clear the cache.

4. After clearing the cache, perform the WordPress update to see if the error is resolved.

Manual Cache Clearing

If you do not use a caching plugin or the error persists after clearing the cache, you can manually clear the cache. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Locate the “wp-content” folder and open it.

3. Look for a folder named “cache” or “wp-cache” and delete it. This folder may vary depending on the caching plugin you previously used or your hosting environment.

4. After deleting the cache folder, perform the WordPress update to see if the error is resolved.

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Troubleshooting Database Issues

Repairing Database Tables

If you encounter database-related errors during a WordPress update, it may be necessary to repair the database tables. To repair your database tables, follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress admin dashboard and install the “WP-DBManager” plugin if you don’t have it already.

2. Once the plugin is installed and activated, go to the “Database” section of the admin dashboard.

3. Select the “Repair DB” tab and click on the “Repair DB” button.

4. The plugin will attempt to repair any corrupted or damaged database tables. Monitor the progress and check for any error messages.

5. After the repair process is complete, try performing the WordPress update again.

Optimizing Database Tables

Optimizing your database can improve its performance and potentially resolve issues during WordPress updates. The process of optimizing removes unnecessary data and reorganizes the tables for improved efficiency. Follow these steps to optimize your database:

1. Access your WordPress admin dashboard and install the “WP-DBManager” plugin if you haven’t done so already.

2. Once the plugin is installed and activated, go to the “Database” section of the admin dashboard.

3. Select the “Optimize DB” tab and click on the “Optimize DB” button.

4. The plugin will begin optimizing the database tables. Monitor the progress and check for any error messages.

5. After the optimization process is complete, try performing the WordPress update again.

Checking Database Credentials

Errors during WordPress updates can also occur if the database credentials are incorrect or have been changed. To check your database credentials, follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress installation directory using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

2. Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory.

3. Download a copy of the wp-config.php file to your computer and open it in a text editor.

4. Locate the lines that define the database name, username, password, and host.

define('DB_NAME', 'database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'username'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); 

5. Verify that the information matches the credentials provided by your hosting provider. If any of the credentials are incorrect, make the necessary modifications.

6. Save your changes and upload the modified wp-config.php file back to your WordPress directory, replacing the existing file.

Contacting Your Hosting Provider

Reporting the Error

If you have exhausted all available troubleshooting steps and are unable to resolve the WordPress update error, it may be time to contact your hosting provider for assistance. When reporting the error, provide detailed information about the issue and the steps you have already taken to troubleshoot. This will help the hosting provider identify the problem more efficiently.

Seeking Assistance

Hosting providers often have knowledgeable support teams who can provide guidance and assistance in resolving WordPress update errors. If you are not confident in performing advanced troubleshooting steps or if the error seems to be related to server configurations, it is advisable to seek professional assistance from your hosting provider.

Requesting Server Configuration Check

If you suspect that the WordPress update error is due to server-related issues, you can request a server configuration check from your hosting provider. They can examine and verify if the server settings meet the necessary requirements for running WordPress updates smoothly. Contact your hosting provider’s support team and provide them with specific details about the error and any relevant error messages you have encountered.

By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve common WordPress update errors effectively. Remember to always create backups of your site before making any changes, and don’t hesitate to seek assistance if needed. Keeping your WordPress installation, plugins, themes, and server up to date ensures a secure and stable website.