How to Fix a Failed WordPress Update: A Step-by-Step Guide [2023]

Updating WordPress is an essential task to keep your website secure and up-to-date. However, sometimes things can go wrong during the update process, and you may receive a message that says: “An automated WordPress update has failed to complete – please attempt the update again now.” This message can be frustrating, but don’t worry – there are several steps you can take to fix the issue.

Also read: 10 Most Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of fixing a failed WordPress update, so you can get your website back up and running as quickly as possible.

Step 1: Backup Your Website

Before attempting to fix the failed update, it’s important to back up your website. This will ensure that you have a copy of your site in case anything goes wrong during the update process. You can use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack to create a backup of your website, or you can use your web host’s backup tools.

Step 2: Check Your Website for Issues

After backing up your website, you should check your site to see if there are any visible issues or errors. If you notice any problems, you should try to fix them before attempting the update again. Common issues that can cause a failed update include:

• Plugin or theme conflicts: Some plugins or themes may not be compatible with the latest version of WordPress, which can cause issues during the update process.
• Insufficient memory: If your website doesn’t have enough memory to complete the update, it can fail.
• File permission issues: If your website’s file permissions are set incorrectly, it can cause issues during the update process.

Step 3: Manually Update WordPress

If you’ve checked your website for issues and fixed any problems you’ve found, the next step is to manually update WordPress. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from the official WordPress website.
2. Extract the files from the downloaded zip file to your computer.
3. Connect to your website via FTP or your web host’s file manager.
4. Navigate to the root directory of your website.
5. Rename the “wp-admin” and “wp-includes” folders to “wp-admin-old” and “wp-includes-old,” respectively.
6. Upload the extracted files from the downloaded zip file to the root directory of your website.
7. Delete the “wp-admin-old” and “wp-includes-old” folders.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your website should be updated to the latest version of WordPress.

Step 4: Test Your Website

After manually updating WordPress, it’s important to test your website to ensure that everything is working as expected. Check to make sure that all of your plugins and themes are working properly and that your website is running smoothly.

Things to consider if it doesn’t work out

1. Always backup your website: As mentioned in the article, backing up your website before attempting to fix a failed update is crucial. This will ensure that you have a recent copy of your website in case anything goes wrong during the update process.
2. Check your plugins and themes: If you have recently installed a new plugin or theme, it may be causing conflicts with the update. Try disabling your plugins and switching to a default WordPress theme to see if this fixes the issue.
3. Check your server requirements: WordPress has certain server requirements that must be met in order to run properly. If your server doesn’t meet these requirements, it can cause issues during the update process. Check with your web host to ensure that your server meets the necessary requirements.
4. Be patient: Updating WordPress can take some time, especially if you have a large website with a lot of content. Don’t interrupt the update process, as this can cause issues and potentially corrupt your website.
5. Consider hiring a professional: If you’re not comfortable fixing the issue yourself, consider hiring a professional WordPress developer to help you out. They can troubleshoot the issue and ensure that your website is updated properly.

Conclusion – An automated WordPress update has failed to complete – please attempt the update again now

A failed WordPress update can be frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can fix the issue and get your website up and running again. Remember to always back up your website before attempting to update WordPress, and to test your site after any updates to ensure that everything is working properly. With a little bit of effort and patience, you can keep your website secure and up-to-date for your users.