How To Tell The Status Of A WordPress Plugin Update?

Maybe you’ve started an update and noticed an error saying “Another update is in progress.” Maybe you’re wondering if a plugin was successfully updated or not. How can you tell if it is in progress.

Plugin updates are like heart surgery. They’re so important for your site’s health. But, one wrong move and you’re done. Your site can crash. So errors in the middle of an update? Terrifying. 

Knowing the status of a plugin update is the difference between a smooth-running website and one full of glitches. This article will help you understand what’s happening with your plugin updates, including how to tell the status of a WordPress plugin update so you can keep your site secure and up-to-date.

TL;DR: Your admin panel will have signs that a plugin was successfully updated. However the best way to reduce the risks to your site is to take a full backup first, and second test the update on a staging site.  You can do both in minutes with BlogVault, and make your site update process bulletproof. 

Over 50% of WordPress hacks stem from vulnerable plugins or themes. This is because outdated code is a gateway for hackers to access your site. An update often comes with security fixes, making regular updates not just important but essential. But, When you update WordPress or Perform a plugin update, things aren’t always so straightforward. So, how do you know if it has been updated successfully? 

1. Check plugin versions on wp-admin dashboard

The first place to look for info about updates is your WordPress dashboard. It is where you manage all aspects of your site, including plugin updates. On the left-hand menu, click on Plugins. You’ll be directed to a page listing all the plugins currently installed on your website. Scroll through the list until you find the plugin you’ve just updated. Here’s what to look out for:

• If you still see a prompt saying an update is available, it likely means the previous update didn’t complete.

• Check for any loading icons or messages that say Updating. If you see this, the update is still in progress.

• Look for a message stating Updated with a checkmark next to it. This signifies the update has successfully completed.

• Verify if the version number of the plugin has changed. Compare it with the version number of the update to confirm success.
• Once the update is successful, there will usually be a message detailing what was included in the update, confirming the changes have been made.

2. Establish if plugin updates are available

Keeping your plugins up-to-date is crucial for the security and performance of your WordPress site. Here’s how to check for plugin updates, whether you’re using free or premium plugins.

Free plugins

1. WordPress admin dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. On the left-hand menu, click Updates. This will show you a list of all plugins that need updating. You can also go to the Plugins section and look for any plugins with an “Update Available” notification.

2. BlogVault vulnerability scanner: BlogVault shows you what updates are available. It also offers a vulnerability scanner that helps you identify critical updates. Once you install it, navigate to BlogVault in the dashboard and run a scan. The updates section will have all the information you need. 

Pro tip: Update plugins using BlogVault because it takes a backup before initiating an update. 

Premium plugins

1. Manually checking premium plugin sources: Visit the websites where you purchased your premium plugins. Developers often post updates and downloads for new versions.
2. Email notifications: Check your email for notifications from the plugin developer, which often include update announcements and instructions.
3. Automated notification systems: Many premium plugin developers offer push or in-dashboard notifications. Subscribe to these services to get alerts about new updates directly from the developer.

3. Implement safe updates for plugins

Uncertainty is always unwelcome, and if you are running a site, it is tricky to know what is happening behind the scenes. On the other hand site maintenance can be overwhelming. So what you need is a system like BlogVault to show you all the relevant information about your site, spotlighting the actions you need to take to maintain its integrity and security. 

As we have said before, updates are critical for security, but they can break sites easily. So we’ve put together this process for you to follow. Pro tip: It becomes a cakewalk with BlogVault. 

1. Take a backup: Before making any updates, always create a full backup of your site. This gives you a safety net in case something goes wrong. Install a reliable backup plugin like BlogVault that will automatically backup your site and restore it in minutes.
2. Use a staging site: Testing updates on a staging site helps you detect any issues before applying changes to your live site. BlogVault helps you create a staging site in just a few minutes without needing any technical knowledge. 
3. Update plugin: There are three main ways to update plugins: through the WordPress dashboard or manually via cPanel or FTP.
   1. On the dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard of your staging site, go to Plugins, and locate the plugin that needs updating. Click the Update Now button next to the plugin. WordPress will automatically download and install the update.
   2. Using FTP: Connect to your site via an FTP client. Navigate to wp-content/plugins. Delete the existing folder for the plugin and then upload the updated files, replacing the old ones.
4. Test everything: After updating the plugin, it’s crucial to test your site to ensure everything works correctly. Check all functionalities of your site on the staging environment.Push update to your live site: Once you’re confident that the update works fine on the staging site, it’s time to apply it to your live site. Replicate the steps to update. 

6. Test everything again: Once the update is applied to your live site, conduct a final round of testing. Check all features, forms, and navigation to ensure nothing is broken. Ensure the site loads swiftly and performs optimally without hitches.

Best practices for updating WordPress plugins

Taking the right precautions when updating your WordPress plugins can save you from potential headaches and maintain your site’s security and performance. Here are the best measures to follow and why they are important:

• Always create a full backup of your site: Let’s say you updated the Elementor plugin and it changed everything about your page design. A rollback will only revert to the old version of the plugin. It will not recover your designs and customizations. This is where a backup would have saved the day. In fact, with  BlogVault, you would have recovered your site in two clicks. This is why we recommend you always take a full backup before any changes are made to your site. 
• Check for compatibility: Compatibility issues can lead to website crashes and loss of functionality. Check for reviews and complaints in the different community groups.
• Check the changelog: The changelog provides essential information about the update, such as new features, bug fixes, and security patches. This knowledge helps you understand the benefits of updating and anticipate any changes in functionality.
• Test updates on a staging site: We’ve talked about how risky updates can be. So, you don’t want to update plugins and themes directly on a live site. The staging site becomes a testing ground for you to make changes. It’s a great way to reduce the extra effort of troubleshooting a failed update. We recommend you use BlogVault to create a staging site. Just head to the staging section and click Add Staging. You will be asked to confirm the details like PHP version. Then, give it a few minutes and a staging site is ready for you.
• Disabling automatic updates for critical plugins: Manual updates give you control over the update process, allowing you to monitor for issues and ensure everything works correctly. This is especially important for critical plugins that significantly impact your site’s functionality.
• Update plugins one by one: Updating plugins individually helps you quickly determine which plugin might be causing problems, making it easier to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Use an activity log: An activity log provides a record of all changes made, who made them, and when. This information is crucial for accountability and tracking down the source of any issues.
• Maintain documentation of updates: Keeping detailed records of updates allows you to track changes over time, making it easier to manage your site and troubleshoot issues that arise.
• Completely check your site: A comprehensive check ensures that the update hasn’t caused any unforeseen issues. This step verifies that both the public-facing and administrative areas of your site are functioning correctly.
• Clear caches: Clearing caches ensures that your site displays the most recent changes. Cached versions might show outdated content, leading to confusion or improper functionality.
• Keep an eye on site performance: Monitoring site performance and error logs helps you quickly identify and address any problems that arise after an update.
• Regularly check for updates: Regular updates are essential for security and functionality. Staying current with updates helps protect your site from vulnerabilities and ensures optimal performance. Use plugins like BlogVault to help detect vulnerabilities early, giving you the chance to address them before they become serious threats. Enabling notifications ensures you are promptly informed about new updates, allowing you to address them quickly and maintain site security and performance.
• Deactivate unused plugins: Unused plugins can be a security risk. Deactivating and deleting them reduces the attack surface and helps maintain site security.
• Invest in plugins with licenses: Proper licensing ensures that you continue to receive vital updates and support from the plugin developers, keeping your site secure and functioning effectively. Installing plugins from reputable sources lowers the risk of introducing vulnerable or malicious code into your site, ensuring higher security standards.

Final thoughts

Updating your WordPress plugins is essential for maintaining both security and performance. However, the process is not without risks, including compatibility issues, broken features, and potential site crashes. This is why we recommend you take a backup and create a staging site first. If that sounds intimidating, try BlogVault. It was designed to automate complex things like updates and staging and simplify them for a non-technical user. 

FAQs

How do I check my WordPress update progress?

To check the progress of a WordPress update:

• If an update is in progress, WordPress will show a notification at the top of the WP Admin dashboard indicating “Another update is currently in progress.”
• Navigate to the Plugins section in your WP Admin panel. You’ll see a loading icon or a message indicating that the update is in progress next to the plugin being updated.

How do I force WordPress to check for plugin updates?

To force WordPress to check for plugin updates:

• Go to Dashboard and then click Updates
• Click the Check Again button. WordPress will manually recheck for any available updates for your plugins, themes, and core files.

How do I know if a WordPress plugin is active?

To check if a WordPress plugin is active:

• Navigate to Plugins and then click Installed Plugins
• Active plugins will be highlighted and will have a blue background
• The Deactivate button will be visible below the plugin name, indicating that the plugin is currently active

How do I know when my WordPress plugin was updated?

Once the plugin is updated, you will see the word Updated below the plugin name, in the Plugins dashboard. You will also no longer see a button for a new update to be initiated.

How long do WordPress plugin updates take?

The time it takes to update a WordPress plugin varies based on the size of the update and your server speed. Generally, it takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes. However, if your site is busy or your server is slow, it might take slightly longer.