Is this your problem?
- The layout is broken, or styles are missing
- A feature such as a form, slider or checkout stopped working
- "Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance" will not go away
- A critical error after pressing Update
What usually causes it
How to tell: It looks right when you are logged in, or in a private window.
How to tell: The plugin changelog or support forum shows other people with the same issue this week.
How to tell: The theme has not been updated in a year or more, and core was just updated.
How to tell: The maintenance message stays up for more than a few minutes.
Before you touch anything
- If it is a shop, note the order numbers taken since the update. A restore would remove them.
How to fix it, step by step
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1
Clear every cache
Clear the caching plugin, the host cache, and Cloudflare if you use it. In Elementor, go to Tools and press Regenerate CSS and Data.
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2
Get out of stuck maintenance
Delete the file called .maintenance in the site folder. It is left behind when an update is interrupted.
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3
Find what changed
Check Dashboard, Updates, and the dates on plugin folders in the file manager. An activity log plugin makes this instant next time.
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4
Roll back one plugin
With WP-CLI, install the previous version over the current one. For plugins from wordpress.org, the WP Rollback plugin does the same from wp-admin.
wp plugin install PLUGIN-SLUG --version=1.2.3 --force -
5
Tell the author
Post the problem on the plugin support forum. You are rarely the only one, and a fix often lands within days.
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6
Restore as a last resort
Restore files and database together from before the update. On a shop, export the orders taken since, or ask for help, so they are not lost.
Stop and get help if
- It is a shop, and the only way back is a full restore.
- You do not know which of several updates caused it.
Stop it happening again
- Update on a copy of the site first.
- Update one thing at a time and check five key pages after each.
- Keep automatic updates for security releases only.
Questions people ask
Should I turn off automatic updates?
Keep security updates automatic. Hold major plugin and theme updates until you can test them.
Can I roll back WordPress itself?
You can, but it is rarely the right fix. The plugin or theme is usually what needs to change.