How to Enable Automatic Updates in WordPress
Keeping WordPress, plugins and themes up to date is one of the most important parts of maintaining a secure and reliable website. WordPress includes built-in automatic update options which can install many updates for you without needing to login and update everything manually.
What Can WordPress Update Automatically?
WordPress Core
WordPress itself can automatically install maintenance, security and, where enabled, major WordPress version updates.
Plugins
Automatic updates can be enabled individually for installed WordPress plugins.
Themes
Installed WordPress themes can also be configured to update automatically when a new version is available.
Recommended Automatic Update Setup
WordPress Security Updates
Keep automatic maintenance and security updates enabled. These updates frequently contain important security fixes.
Plugins
Enable automatic updates for actively maintained plugins unless you have a specific reason to test updates manually.
Themes
Enable automatic updates for your active theme and any installed themes that you intend to keep.
Before Enabling Automatic Updates
Make sure your website is backed up regularly. Although WordPress updates are normally straightforward, plugin, theme or WordPress updates can occasionally cause compatibility problems.
Enable Automatic Plugin Updates
Step 1: Login to WordPress
Login to your WordPress administration dashboard.
Step 2: Open Installed Plugins
Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
Step 3: Find Automatic Updates
Look for the Automatic Updates column on the right-hand side of the plugin list.
Step 4: Enable Auto-Updates
Click Enable auto-updates next to the plugin you want WordPress to update automatically.
Enable Automatic Updates for Multiple Plugins
Select Plugins
Tick the checkboxes next to the plugins you want to configure.
Open Bulk Actions
Select Enable Auto-updates from the Bulk Actions menu.
Apply
Click Apply. WordPress will enable automatic updates for all selected plugins.
How Often Does WordPress Check?
WordPress normally checks for automatic plugin and theme updates twice each day. When an update is available, WordPress can install it automatically if auto-updates have been enabled for that plugin or theme.
Enable Automatic Theme Updates
Step 1: Open Themes
From the WordPress dashboard go to Appearance → Themes.
Step 2: Select a Theme
Click the theme you want to configure to display its theme information.
Step 3: Enable Auto-Updates
Click Enable auto-updates within the theme information window.
Repeat for Other Themes
Theme automatic updates are normally enabled individually. Repeat the process for each installed theme you want WordPress to maintain automatically.
Enable Automatic WordPress Core Updates
Step 1: Open Updates
From WordPress go to Dashboard → Updates.
Step 2: Check the Current Setting
Look underneath the WordPress version information for the automatic update setting.
Step 3: Enable New Versions
Where available, click Enable automatic updates for all new versions of WordPress.
WordPress Core Update Options Explained
Maintenance & Security Releases
Smaller WordPress maintenance and security releases are designed to fix bugs and security issues and are normally handled automatically.
Major WordPress Releases
Major WordPress versions contain larger changes and new features. WordPress can also install these automatically when major-version auto-updates are enabled.
Manual Updates
You can still install available WordPress updates manually at any time from Dashboard → Updates.
Should Major WordPress Updates Be Automatic?
Standard Websites
For most standard WordPress websites, automatically installing stable WordPress releases can reduce the amount of maintenance required.
Complex Websites
WooCommerce stores, membership websites and sites containing substantial custom development may benefit from testing major updates before installing them.
Always Keep Security Updates Enabled
Delaying security-related updates for long periods can leave known vulnerabilities present on the website.
Automatic Update Emails
Successful Updates
WordPress may email the site administrator when plugins or themes have been automatically updated.
Failed Updates
WordPress can also send a notification when an automatic update fails.
Check the Administrator Email
Make sure the WordPress administration email address is current so important website notifications are received.
Plugins for Managing WordPress Automatic Updates
WordPress already includes automatic update functionality, so an additional plugin is not normally required. However, update management plugins can provide extra options such as scheduling, update logs, exclusions, notifications and delayed updates.
Easy Updates Manager
A popular update management plugin that provides detailed control over WordPress core, plugin, theme and translation updates.
- Enable or disable automatic updates
- Control individual plugins and themes
- Core update controls
- Update logging
- WordPress Multisite support
Companion Auto Update
Provides additional control over automatic updates including scheduling and the ability to delay updates.
- Plugin automatic updates
- Theme automatic updates
- WordPress core updates
- Update scheduling
- Update delay options
- Email notifications
- Update logs
WP Auto Updater
Another update management plugin providing automatic updates and additional scheduling and update-history controls.
- WordPress core updates
- Plugin updates
- Theme updates
- Translation updates
- Scheduled updates
- Update history
Which Method Should I Use?
For most WordPress websites, the built-in WordPress automatic update system is the simplest option and avoids installing another plugin. Use an update management plugin when you specifically require extra scheduling, logging, exclusions or delayed-update features.
Automatic Updates Are Not Showing
Check Your WordPress Version
Built-in plugin and theme automatic update controls were introduced in WordPress 5.5. Older installations should be upgraded.
Check User Permissions
Make sure you are logged in as a WordPress Administrator with permission to manage plugins, themes and updates.
Update Controls May Be Disabled
A hosting configuration, security plugin, management plugin or WordPress configuration setting can disable or override automatic updates.
Automatic Updates Are Enabled But Nothing Updates
WordPress Cron
Automatic updates rely on WordPress background processes. Problems with WP-Cron can prevent scheduled tasks from running normally.
File Permissions
WordPress must be able to write to the relevant WordPress, plugin and theme directories to install updates.
Premium Plugin Licence
Some commercial plugins and themes require a valid licence or subscription before WordPress can download their updates.
Update Plugin Conflict
If an update management or security plugin is installed, check that it is not overriding WordPress automatic update settings.
Hosting Restrictions
Some managed WordPress services control updates at server level and may override settings displayed within WordPress.
Check Site Health
Go to Tools → Site Health and check for problems relating to scheduled events, HTTPS, filesystem access or WordPress updates.
Automatic Core Updates Cannot Be Changed
Advanced WordPress configurations can control automatic updates from the wp-config.php file. If these settings have been configured manually, WordPress may prevent the dashboard setting from being changed.
WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE
The WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE configuration setting can control whether WordPress core updates are installed automatically.
AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED
The AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED setting can disable the WordPress automatic updater completely.
Ask Before Editing
Do not change these settings unless you understand why they were added. They may have been configured intentionally by a developer or hosting provider.
An Automatic Update Broke My Website
Check the Update Email
WordPress update notifications may identify which plugin or theme was updated shortly before the problem appeared.
Check Installed Plugins
If WordPress administration is accessible, check recently updated plugins and temporarily disable the suspected plugin where appropriate.
Restore a Backup
If the website cannot be repaired quickly, restore a known working backup created before the problematic update.
Disable Auto-Update Temporarily
Disable automatic updates for the affected plugin or theme until the compatibility problem has been resolved.
Should Every Plugin Be Automatically Updated?
Actively Maintained Plugins
Automatic updates are generally useful for established plugins that are actively maintained and regularly updated.
Custom Plugins
Custom-developed plugins should normally follow the maintenance process agreed with the website developer.
Compatibility-Sensitive Websites
Complex websites may require some plugin updates to be tested before being installed on the live website.
What About Inactive Plugins and Themes?
Remove What You Do Not Need
Plugins and themes that are no longer required should normally be removed rather than left installed indefinitely.
Inactive Does Not Mean Irrelevant
Plugin and theme files remain on the hosting account even when they are inactive, so outdated software should not simply be forgotten.
Keep Required Software Updated
If an inactive plugin or theme must remain installed, keep it updated where possible.
Quick Automatic Update Checklist
WordPress
Check Dashboard → Updates and confirm the WordPress automatic update setting.
Plugins
Check Plugins → Installed Plugins and enable automatic updates where appropriate.
Themes
Check Appearance → Themes and enable automatic updates for themes you intend to keep.
Backups
Make sure regular website and database backups are being created.
Administrator Email
Keep the WordPress administration email address up to date so update notifications can be received.
Remove Unused Software
Delete plugins and themes that are no longer required rather than leaving unnecessary software installed.
Quick Tips
Keep WordPress Current
Do not leave WordPress running old versions for extended periods.
Update Plugins Promptly
Plugin vulnerabilities are a common security risk, making regular updates particularly important.
Keep Backups
Automatic updates should be combined with regular backups so changes can be rolled back if necessary.
Check Your Website
Periodically check important pages, contact forms, checkout functions and WordPress administration even when updates are automatic.
Remove Abandoned Plugins
Replace plugins that are no longer maintained or compatible with current WordPress versions.
Don't Install an Updater Unless Needed
WordPress already provides automatic updates. Additional update plugins are most useful when you need more advanced control.
Best Practice
Keep WordPress core, plugins and themes updated, remove software you no longer use, and maintain regular backups. For most websites, WordPress's built-in automatic update system provides everything required. More advanced update-management plugins are useful when you need scheduling, logs, exclusions or delayed updates.
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