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Update failed: site stuck in maintenance mode

Emergency 02.11.2026
Update failed: site stuck in maintenance mode

"Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance" and it stays that way? A single file is to blame, and it takes a minute to remove.

Before every update WordPress creates a file called .maintenance in the root directory and removes it afterwards. If the update breaks off – a timeout, a closed browser tab, an error while unpacking – the file stays behind and the maintenance notice with it. Delete .maintenance over FTP or the file manager and the site is back immediately.

Delete the file – then check

The .maintenance file sits in the same folder as wp-config.php. It starts with a dot, and many FTP programs hide such files – in FileZilla, enable "Server → Force showing hidden files".

After deleting it the site is reachable, but the update is not finished. Log in and check Dashboard → Updates to see what is outstanding. Often exactly one plugin is stuck half-updated; a second attempt then completes it.

Why updates break off

The most common reason is a timeout: the PHP time limit hits before a large plugin is unpacked. On shared hosting it is often 30 seconds. A second attempt usually works because part of the job is already done.

Next come permission problems – the web server is not allowed to write into wp-content – and too little disk space. The host reports both in the log. And finally: a browser tab closed mid-update. WordPress runs updates in the browser, not in the background.

So it does not happen again

A backup before every larger update, and not all updates at once: the core first, then the plugins in small groups. That way it is clear which package was at fault if something breaks.

Automatic updates for security releases are still right – they are small and rarely hit a time limit. For large feature updates a test installation is worth it if the site earns money.

Sources and further documentation

https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/updating-wordpress/
https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/common-wordpress-errors/

Frequently asked questions

I cannot find a file called .maintenance.

Then your program is hiding files whose names start with a dot. In FileZilla use "Server → Force showing hidden files"; most hosts' file managers have a matching switch in their settings. If it genuinely is not there, the maintenance notice comes from something else, such as a maintenance-mode plugin.

Is the site really fine after deleting it?

Reachable yes, fully updated not necessarily. Afterwards check Dashboard → Updates for anything outstanding, and click through a few pages and the admin area. A half-unpacked plugin can otherwise make itself known days later.

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