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Last Updated: November 5, 2025
WordPress offers a great User Experience (UX) for updating. The platform has evolved to provide automatic updates for minor and security-based core releases and some plugins and themes. However, it’s not a foolproof system. You’ll sometimes encounter the WordPress Update Failed error. If a critical update has failed, you can skip troubleshooting and let our Certified Full-Stack Developers fix it immediately with a One-Time Fix.
Like many other WordPress issues, some simple steps exist to fix them. Most will require you to access your server through Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). As such, if you attempt these fixes, you must have a fresh, secure backup before you begin.
This post will show three ways to fix the WordPress Update Failed error. By the end, you’ll know what to do in a crisis and can return to running your site.
What You’ll Need to Fix the WordPress Update Failed Error
Getting all the tools you’ll need in one place is a good idea. You may also need to brush up on the techniques you need.
Before you begin, you’ll want to have the following in place:
- A full, secure site backup (database and files) taken immediately before attempting the fix.
- Administrative access to your server.
- A suitable SFTP client, such as FileZilla or Cyberduck.
- The skills necessary to use SFTP and navigate your server.
Once you have these, you’re ready. Remember: These steps involve file editing. If you are uncertain at any point, stop and contact our experts.
How to Fix the WordPress Update Failed Error (In 3 Ways)
Over the next few sections, we’ll show you three ways to rid your site of the WordPress Update Failed error.
The methods are ordered based on how easy they are to implement. As such, the first involves removing a file.
1. Start with Simple, Non-FTP Fixes
Before logging into your server, perform these quick checks, as they resolve most common update errors:
A. Clear Caches and Try Again A browser or server-side caching plugin can sometimes interfere with the update script. Clear your site’s caching plugin (e.g., LiteSpeed, WP Rocket) cache and your web browser’s cache, then attempt the update again.
B. Disable Plugins and Change Theme A conflict between a plugin/theme and the update process is a frequent cause of failure. Deactivate all plugins and switch your site to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four). If the update succeeds, reactivate your plugins one by one to find the culprit.
C. Increase PHP Memory Limit (for Timeout Errors) If the update fails midway, it is often a resource or timeout error. You can usually fix this by increasing the memory WordPress is allowed to use. Access your
wp-config.phpfile (you will need FTP for this) and add the following line just before the/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */line: **define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);**
If this still fails, you may need assistance from your host or our expert WordPress Care Plans to adjust your server’sphp.ini file.
2. Remove an Old .maintenance File
For the unaware, WordPress uses configuration files to carry out automated tasks. Maintaining your site involves the .maintenance file. This has a few uses, but in this case, it can stop updates from running after being stopped.
In other words, the .maintenance file is stopped in one state, but your site expects another. This results in the WordPress Update Failed error. The solution is to delete the .maintenance file.
To do this, you’ll need to log into your server. Once you’re in, you’ll see the top-level files that make up your WordPress site:
You may find the maintenance file below. If not, you can skip this step and try some of the other solutions. Though, if you find it, right-click and delete the file:
At this point, check your site and try to carry out the update. If you are still having the issue, check out our other methods.
3. Adjust Your File Permissions
A more complex task involves your file permissions. Every file and folder has a collection of users who can make changes. If file permissions aren’t set correctly, you won’t be able to carry out tasks such as updates.
To change file permissions, you’ll want to right-click and choose the option to set permissions on the file or folder. In FileZilla, the option is explicit (File Permissions). In Cyberduck, choose Info:
You’ll want to make sure the following folders are set with the 755 permissions:
- wp-content
- wp-admin
- wp-includes
When you’ve done this, head inside the wp-content folder and look for the upgrade directory:
Again, choose 755 as your file permission here. At this point, recheck your site. If you are still getting the error and suspect a permission issue, you should contact your hosting provider for help setting ownership. Temporarily setting permissions to 777 is a severe security risk and is strongly discouraged for long-term use. If you need this complex fix, hire our Certified Developers.
Check out your site one final time and see if the WordPress Update Failed error still occurs. If so, you may want to carry out a manual WordPress update. The steps aren’t too technical; the good news is that you’ll only need to do this once. When it’s complete, your site should be back to normal.
4. Alter the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Settings In wp-config.php
While at the top level of your WordPress site, you can quickly change the wp-config.php file. This file stores your site’s configuration settings, and an issue here can cause the WordPress Update Failed error.
As with the first method, you’ll want to find the wp-config.php file within your site’s root directory. Here, right-click and choose to open the file:
When the file is open, look for the /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ line. Above this, paste in the following:
define(‘FS_METHOD’, ‘ftpext’);
define(‘FTP_HOST’, <hostname>);
define(‘FTP_USER’, <username>);
define(‘FTP_PASS’, <password>);
Of course, you’ll want to replace the values with those relating to your site. Also, check that these aren’t already defined within wp-config.php.
Note: Incorrectly defining these FTP credentials can lock you out of future automated updates.
Once you’re ready, save your changes and upload the file to your server again if necessary. Then, check your site and proceed to the next method if you still get the error.
Wrapping Up
If the update failed error persists after trying these four methods, the issue is rooted in a deeper server or plugin conflict that requires specialized knowledge.
Don’t risk breaking your site with a partial update. Contact our WordPress fix team with WP Tech Support. Our certified developers will securely and immediately fix your update failures, restoring your site with a zero-risk guarantee.