Are you facing the frustrating ‘Another Update is Currently in Progress’ error in WordPress? This issue can hinder your efforts to keep your site updated and secure.
We have encountered this error numerous times on our own websites, including the CanadaCreate blog. In this comprehensive guide, we will share effective strategies to resolve the ‘Another Update is Currently in Progress’ error.
Whether you are a blogger, a business owner, or managing several WordPress sites, this guide will help you navigate this challenge and restore your site to normal functioning.
What Causes the ‘Another Update is Currently in Progress’ Error?
This notification typically appears when a core WordPress update is in progress, and a user attempts to initiate another update.
During the core update, WordPress automatically places an update lock on your database. This lock prevents simultaneous updates, which could lead to errors or data loss.
This message is designed to disappear automatically after 15 minutes or once the update process is complete. However, if you remain stuck on this message, you will need to remove it manually.
Let’s explore how to resolve the ‘Another Update in Progress’ error in WordPress.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the ‘Another Update in Progress’ Error in WordPress
To fix the ‘Another Update in Progress’ error, you need to remove the ‘core_updater.lock’ file from your WordPress database. The simplest way to do this is by using phpMyAdmin.
Important Note:Before making any changes to your database or WordPress theme files, it’s wise to create a complete backup of your website using a plugin like Duplicator.
For more information, refer to our guide on how to back up your WordPress site.
First, log in to the cPanel dashboard of your WordPress hosting account to access phpMyAdmin.
We are using Bluehost, so your interface may differ if you are with another hosting provider. If you cannot find the phpMyAdmin option in your hosting dashboard, please reach out to your hosting provider’s support for assistance.
From your Bluehost dashboard, go to the ‘Websites’ tab. Then, click the ‘Settings’ button for the website that is encountering the error.
Next, scroll down to the Quick Links section.
Then, click on ‘phpMyAdmin.’
This will open the phpMyAdmin application, where you should select your WordPress database. Once you click on your database, it will show all the tables contained within it.
Next, click the ‘Browse’ button next to the WordPress options table (wp_options).
This will display all the rows within the options table.
Locate the row with the option name ‘core_updater.lock’ and click the ‘Delete’ button next to it.
phpMyAdmin will then automatically remove the row from your database.
After returning to your WordPress website, the ‘another update in progress’ error will be resolved, allowing you to continue updating your site.
If you still encounter other errors, check out our beginner’s guide on troubleshooting WordPress errors for additional assistance.
How to Prevent the ‘Another Update is Currently in Progress’ Error in the Future
While knowing how to resolve this error is helpful, it’s even more beneficial to prevent it from occurring initially. Here are some best practices to help you avoid this error in the future:
- Update your plugins and themes one at a time.Be patient and update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins individually to minimize the risk of conflicts. For more details, check our article on whether to update the WordPress core or plugins first.
- Clear your browser cacheSometimes, the error message may continue to appear due to cached data in your browser.
- Utilize a staging siteBefore applying updates to your live site, test them in a staging environment. This helps you identify and fix potential issues without impacting your live site.
- Implement a plugin update managerConsider using a plugin like Easy Updates Manager to efficiently schedule and manage your automatic updates.
Facing Other WordPress Errors? Explore These Helpful Guides
While the ‘another update is currently in progress’ error is common, it’s not the only issue you may encounter. Here are some related guides to help you troubleshoot other frequent WordPress errors:
- How to Resolve the WordPress Updating Failed / Publishing Failed Error
- How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death
- How to Resolve the Error Establishing a Database Connection in WordPress
- How to Fix the ‘The Link You Followed Has Expired’ Error in WordPress
- How to Resolve the ‘Destination Folder Already Exists’ Error in WordPress
- How to Resolve the ‘413 Request Entity Too Large’ Error in WordPress
- How to Fix the ‘Upload: Failed to Write File to Disk’ Error in WordPress
We hope this guide has helped you resolve the ‘another update is currently in progress’ error in WordPress. You may also find our article on common issues with the WordPress block editor and how to fix them helpful, as well as our guide on creating a custom database error page in WordPress.
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