Easy Fix: An Automated WordPress Update Has Failed to Complete
Easy Fix: An Automated WordPress Update Has Failed to Complete – Please Attempt the Update Again Now
Do you see an error notice on your WordPress dashboard that reads, “Sorry. Something went wrong.” …
“an automated WordPress update has failed to complete – please attempt the update again now”?
You don’t know why the message remains since all plugins, themes, and WordPress versions have all been updated.
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How to Fix the Automated Update Has Failed Error Message
When your website’s plugins, themes, and core files WordPress are updated, the CMS enters maintenance mode for some time.
WordPress creates a simple ‘maintenance’ file in your website’s root directory.
Usually, though, WordPress removes the maintenance file along with the update.
On the other hand, if the upgrade doesn’t work out for whatever reason, WordPress might not remove this file, which may lead to these two adverse outcomes:
When you log in to your account for the first time, you will see a notification that an automated update has failed. It was an automatic service failure. Please attempt the update again now.
Problem number two can be resolved by manually updating failed automated updates, and the error message goes away most of the time.
If the message doesn’t go away, you’ll need to remove the “.maintenance” file on your server yourself using cPanel or FTP.
Delete the Maintenance File with cPanel
Log in to your web hosting cPanel area. If you’re not sure how to access cPanel, contact your web host.
I’m using Bluehost for this example, so your cPanel area may vary from mine, but the procedure is the same.
Go to the >>File Manager<< by going to Files. Go to the location where your WordPress site is installed in the file manager…
That’s the name of my blog, and I use it to refer to any websites on your host. That is dependent on how you want to run your site. It would be the same for me if I only had one website, since my blog is hosted in public_html.
To access the maintenance file, double-click the root folder. Then you may need to modify some settings in order to display the maintenance file.
Go to Settings >> Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)
Click the Save button to save your modifications. The “.maintenance” file will now be visible in the list of files and folders on your server.
Click the relevant maintenance file to open it. Then, select Delete from the menu bar at the top of the screen. A window will appear asking whether you are sure you want to delete the course. Confirm by selecting Yes or No from a drop-down menu.
That’sThat’s really how it works. A notification concerning a failed WordPress automated upgrade will no longer appear when you sign in to your site.
If you are still experiencing the problem, please let me know in the comments section below whether the removal of Cpanel has solved your issue.
On the other hand, if your host does not provide cPanel, you can delete the file via FTP.
Delete the Maintenance File with FTP
You’ll need to use a free software called FileZilla to delete the file via FTP.
On the left, you’ll see all of your computer’s files and folders. On the right are the files and folders on your server.
On the right side, double-click the root folder where your website is installed to open it up. THE “.MAINTENANCE” FILE TO BE DELETED It should be deleted by opening any of these files which are currently placed in system32 directory -> To delete the “.maintenance” file, go into system32…
For me, public_html is the only option. It will be for you too IF you have just one website. If you have more than one, however, you’ll need to look at a different spot.
In the root folder of your site, find the “.maintenance” file:
- Click it to select it
- Hold down control on your keyword
- Left click your mouse
- Click delete
That’s all there is to it! The file has been deleted successfully. The pesky error message should be gone the next time you access your WordPress site.
Is deleting the maintenance file via FTP the solution for you? Please share your thoughts in the box below. Is it working now?
Wrapping Up
In most instances, the “an automated WordPress update has failed to complete – please attempt the update again now” error message..
After manually updating failed automated updates, the item will disappear from your WordPress admin dashboard.
If it doesn’t, as you learned in this lesson, you’ll need to remove the “.maintenance” file from your WordPress website’s root folder.
You can accomplish that using Cpanel. You may also utilize FTP if you don’t have Cpanel access.
If you ever need help fixing WordPress errors, making changes to your website, or maintaining your site in general, Bluedigitalpixel is here to help. Check out my care plans and website edit services to learn more.
