how to disable automatic updates in WordPress

Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Automatic Updates in WordPress

Understanding WordPress Updates

WordPress updates are essential for security, introducing new features, and fixing bugs. However, there are instances when automatic updates are not desirable. For those who wish to have control over when updates are applied, disabling automatic updates is a viable option. This can help prevent compatibility issues with themes or plugins and facilitate staging environment testing before live deployment.

Disabling WordPress Core Updates

1. Modify wp-config.php

Access your website’s root directory via FTP or File Manager in your hosting control panel. The wp-config.php file is typically located here. Add the following line of code above the line that reads / That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. /:

define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false);

This code stops all core updates, including minor and security updates. For more customized control, replace false with 'minor' to allow minor updates while stopping major ones.

2. Using a Plugin

For those who prefer not to edit code, plugins like Easy Updates Manager are available. This plugin provides a user-friendly interface to manage all aspects of WordPress updates, including core, themes, plugins, and translations.

Disabling Theme and Plugin Updates

Automatic updates for themes and plugins can occasionally lead to issues with site functionality if a new update is not fully compatible with other elements of your site.

1. Edit functions.php

You can add code to your theme’s functions.php file to disable updates for specific plugins or themes. Below is an example code snippet to disable updates for a particular plugin:

function disable_specific_plugin_updates( $update, $item ) {
    if ( 'name-of-the-plugin' == $item->slug ) {
        return null; // Do not update the plugin
    }

    return $update; // Return update object for all else
}
add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', 'disable_specific_plugin_updates', 10, 2 );

Replace name-of-the-plugin with the slug of the plugin you wish to disable updates for.

2. Using a Plugin

Again, plugins like Easy Updates Manager allow you to selectively disable updates for specific themes or plugins without editing code.

Disabling Translation Updates

Translation updates can also be turned off if you are running a multilingual site and prefer to control updates manually.

1. Add Code to wp-config.php

Just like with core updates, you can add a simple line of code to your wp-config.php file to stop translation file updates:

define('AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true);

This disables all types of automatic updates, including translation files.

Best Practices and Considerations

1. Regularly Check for Updates

If you disable automatic updates, it becomes crucial to manually check for updates to ensure your site remains secure and functional. Plan a regular schedule for checking and applying updates.

2. Test Updates in Staging

Before applying updates on a live site, test them in a staging environment. Many hosting services offer one-click creation of a staging site which can be used for this purpose.

3. Backup Your Site

Always ensure that you have recent backups before making changes. This is critical in case an update goes wrong and you need to restore your site to a stable state.

4. Monitor WordPress News

Staying informed about the latest changes in WordPress can help you manage updates more effectively. Follow WordPress news for information about critical updates or known issues.

Expert Tip

Plugins and themes are frequently updated to match new standards set by core updates. Thus, even if you control core updates manually, keeping an eye on compatibility announcements from plugin and theme developers is wise.

By following these detailed steps, you can successfully manage updates in WordPress according to your needs and preferences. This ensures your website remains secure and functional while providing you the flexibility to avoid potential disruptions caused by automatic updates.