WordPress Site Down After Plugin Update? Try These 8 Simple Fixes

You’ve just updated a plugin on your WordPress site to improve its functionality or to add a new feature, only to find that your site is now down. It’s an alarming situation for anyone managing a website. 

You start worrying about what your visitors are viewing and how it could affect your business. The stress of potentially losing customers or seeing a drop in site visits is understandably high. 

But take a deep breath, it’s not a disaster. Here’s the good news: we’ve been through this and know how frustrating it can be. We’re here to show you simple fixes to get your site back up.

TL;DR:  If your WordPress site goes down after a plugin update, it might be because of compatibility problems or incomplete updates. Always back up your site before you start troubleshooting or tweaking core files, so you have a restore point ready if needed.

Why did your WordPress site go down after you updated a plugin? 

Compatibility issues are a big one. This happens when the new plugin version doesn’t fit well with your existing WordPress setup or the other plugins you have installed.

Another reason might be that the new plugin version has bugs or errors. These are little problems that can cause unexpected behaviors on your website. Or, the plugin update might have changed something important that your site depends on, which could throw things off balance.

Sometimes, the update process itself might not finish properly. This could be due to something as simple as a dropped Internet connection, which leaves your site hanging in an unfinished state.

Then there’s the matter of settings. After an update, you might need to tweak some settings or configurations. If these aren’t set correctly, things might not work as expected.

You could also run into issues with custom code or your site’s theme. Sometimes they don’t get along with the updated plugin. Or, your WordPress firewall settings might flag the new plugin as unsafe and stop it from running properly.

These are the common reasons why a plugin update might cause your WordPress site to go down. The good news is, that most of these issues can be fixed with a bit of troubleshooting.

Fixing the WordPress site down after plugin update issue

If your WordPress site crashed after a plugin update, don’t worry; you can manage this without being a tech expert. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you:

1. Turn on WordPress debugging  

This feature shows you error messages to help you find out what’s wrong. In your website files, locate a file named wp-config.php. Add this line right above the part that says, “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.“:  

define('WP_DEBUG’, true);

Once you find out what’s causing the problem, remember to turn the debug mode off so visitors don’t see the errors.

define('WP_DEBUG’, false);

2. Turn off all plugins using FTP  

If you choose not to use the debug mode, try turning off all your plugins to see if one is causing the issue. To do this use an FTP tool like FileZilla to access your site’s files.

Find the wp-content folder and rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old. This will disable all plugins. If your site works again, one of those plugins is likely the issue.

3. Find the problem plugin  

To figure out which plugin is causing trouble, rename the folder back to plugins, then rename each plugin one by one, checking your site each time. Once you identify the problematic plugin, consider switching back to an older version that worked.

4. Reach out to plugin support  

If you need more help, check the plugin’s page on the WordPress website for a support section. Share details about the error messages and recent changes. Online forums might also offer tips from others who have similar issues.

5. Switch to the default theme  

If your site is still down, try switching to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Three. Use FTP to navigate to `wp-content/themes`, and rename your current theme folder to something like `theme_old`. This will activate a default theme. If your site works, the theme might be the problem. Contact the developers for an update or fix.

6. Update everything  

Make sure all your plugins and themes are updated. If some are no longer supported, it might be time to remove them. It’s always good to test changes on a copy of your site before making them live.

7. Restore a backup  

Restore a backup of your site to a time when it was working. Most hosting companies provide tools to assist with this. After restoring, make sure everything is functioning correctly.

8. Get help from hosting support  

If nothing seems to work, there might be a server issue. Contact your hosting support team, and provide any error details, and they can help diagnose if it’s a server problem.

Prevent your WordPress site from going down after plugin update

Keeping your WordPress site from going down after an update involves being prepared and careful. Here are some easy ways to minimize potential issues:

Regular backups  

Always keep copies of your site. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can quickly restore it to a previous working version.

Test updates in a staging environment  

Try out updates on a test version of your site first. This lets you spot any problems without affecting your live site.

Keep everything updated  

Ensure your plugins, themes, and WordPress itself are always up-to-date. Updates often fix security issues and improve performance.

Check compatibility  

Before updating, make sure the new versions work well with your existing setup to prevent any conflicts.

Choose a good hosting provider  

Go for a hosting service that is reliable and offers good support. A trustworthy host helps keep your site running smoothly.

Limit plugins and themes  

Use only the plugins and themes that are necessary. Having too many can slow down your site and lead to issues.

Watch your site’s performance  

Keep an eye on how your site is performing. Spotting problems early can prevent bigger headaches later.

Read update notes  

Before you update anything, read the notes on what’s included. This gives you an idea of what changes to expect.

Regular maintenance  

Develop a routine for checking updates and making backups. Consistent maintenance can help you avoid unexpected issues.

Parting thoughts

Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your WordPress site in good shape. Make it a habit to update your plugins, themes, and WordPress itself regularly. Always back up your site to protect your data. Monitoring your site’s performance helps you spot and fix issues early. 

Also, removing any unused plugins can keep your site running smoothly and securely. Keeping these practices in mind will help ensure your site stays reliable and efficient.

FAQs

Does updating WordPress plugins affect my website?  

Yes, updating plugins can influence your website by adding new features, boosting security, and fixing bugs. However, if a plugin update is not compatible with your setup, it might cause issues, so it’s crucial to back up your site before updating.

Why does my WordPress site keep going down?  

Your WordPress site might keep experiencing downtime due to plugin conflicts, outdated software, server issues, or insufficient resources. Regularly updating everything, monitoring performance, and choosing a reliable hosting provider can help prevent frequent outages.

Do WordPress plugins slow down a website?  

Yes, having too many plugins or ones that are poorly coded can decrease your website’s speed. It’s important to use only essential and well-optimized plugins to maintain good performance.

What are the disadvantages of auto updates?  

Auto updates can sometimes create compatibility issues if they don’t align well with your existing setup and might overwrite any custom changes you’ve made. It’s crucial to monitor updates and, if possible, test them on a staging site.

How do I restore my WordPress site after an update?  

To restore your WordPress site following an update, you can use a backup to revert to the previous version. Utilize your hosting provider’s backup tools or manually upload backup files via FTP. After restoration, always test your site to ensure everything is functioning correctly.