Introduction
A WordPress site can enter maintenance mode during updates to core, plugins, or themes. Normally, this state lasts a few seconds. When the update process completes, WordPress removes the maintenance flag and the site becomes available again.
Problems start when the update process does not complete successfully. In that case, WordPress may fail to exit maintenance mode, leaving the site inaccessible to visitors. This is commonly referred to as WordPress stuck in maintenance mode.
This issue is not limited to large sites or complex setups. It frequently occurs on production sites during routine updates. Understanding why it happens and how to fix it correctly helps prevent repeated downtime and incomplete updates.
This article explains:
- How WordPress maintenance mode works internally
- Why WordPress maintenance mode gets stuck
- How to fix the issue safely
- How to reduce the chance of this happening again
What Is WordPress Maintenance Mode and Why It Exists
WordPress maintenance mode is triggered automatically during update operations. When an update starts, WordPress creates a file named .maintenance in the root directory.
As long as this file exists:
- Visitors see the maintenance message
- WordPress blocks normal page rendering
- The update process continues in the background
Once the update finishes successfully, WordPress deletes the .maintenance file. The site resumes normal operation.
Maintenance mode becomes an issue when the update process ends unexpectedly. If execution stops before cleanup runs, the .maintenance file remains, and WordPress continues to assume that an update is in progress.
Why WordPress Gets Stuck in Maintenance Mode
Common Causes of WordPress Maintenance Mode Stuck Issues
The reasons are usually technical and predictable. Most cases fall into the following categories.
Interrupted Updates
Updates may fail when:
- PHP reaches the execution time limit
- Available memory is insufficient
- The server temporarily drops the connection
- The update is interrupted manually
When execution stops mid-process, WordPress does not remove the .maintenance file.
Corrupted or Orphaned .maintenance File
In some environments, WordPress is unable to delete the .maintenance file after an update.
This typically happens due to:
- Incorrect file ownership
- Permission mismatches
- File system write failures
Even if all updates complete successfully, WordPress will remain in maintenance mode as long as this file exists.
Plugin and Theme Conflicts
Some plugins and themes perform additional tasks during updates. Poorly implemented update routines can trigger fatal errors.
Common failure points include:
- Deprecated PHP functions
- Syntax errors introduced during updates
- Conflicts between plugins updating at the same time
If a fatal error occurs, WordPress stops execution immediately, leaving maintenance mode active.
Server-Level Constraints
Hosting limitations are a frequent cause of WordPress maintenance mode errors.
Typical constraints include:
- Low PHP memory limits
- Short execution time limits
- Disk space shortages
- Inode exhaustion on shared hosting
Updates require temporary spikes in resource usage. When the server cannot accommodate that, updates fail mid-way.
Automated Update Loops
Background updates can fail without user interaction.
This can happen when:
- WP-Cron jobs do not complete
- Background processes crash repeatedly
- Rollback mechanisms fail
In these cases, WordPress may repeatedly enter maintenance mode without completing the update cycle.
How to Fix WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix WordPress Maintenance Mode
The fix depends on whether maintenance mode is the only issue or whether an update failed partially.
Manual Fix
The first step is to remove the maintenance flag.
- Connect to the server using FTP or SSH
- Navigate to the WordPress root directory
- Locate the .maintenance file
- Delete the file
If the site loads normally after this, the issue was limited to an orphaned maintenance file.
Isolating Plugins and Themes
If the site fails to load after removing .maintenance, an update did not complete successfully.
To isolate the issue:
- Rename the plugins directory to disable all plugins
- Reload the site
- Restore the directory and enable plugins one at a time
This process identifies the plugin or theme that caused the update failure.
Database and Cache Validation
In some cases, WordPress records update state in the database or cache.
Actions to consider:
- Clear object and opcode caches
- Check for incomplete update flags
- Re-run failed updates manually
This ensures WordPress does not assume an update is still running.
The Hidden Risk of Maintenance Mode Errors
A WordPress site that exits maintenance mode after a failure is not guaranteed to be fully updated.
Partial updates can result in:
- Core files updated but plugins not updated
- Security patches skipped
- Mismatched plugin versions
These inconsistencies may not be visible immediately but can cause problems later, including compatibility issues and security exposure.
Why This Is an Infrastructure Problem
The Role of Hosting in WordPress Maintenance Mode Errors
Maintenance mode issues occur more frequently in environments with limited resources.
Shared hosting environments often:
- Limit CPU and memory usage
- Restrict execution time
- Run multiple sites on the same file system
During updates, these limitations increase the likelihood of interruptions. Without isolation, one failing update can affect the entire site.
Safe Update Workflows for Modern WordPress Sites
Testing Updates in Isolation
Running updates directly on production increases risk.
A safer approach involves:
- Cloning the site
- Testing updates in an isolated environment
- Reviewing logs before deploying changes
Container-based environments make it easier to replicate production conditions without affecting live traffic.
Deep Debugging Techniques
When updates fail, access to logs is essential.
Shell access allows:
- Inspection of PHP error logs
- Tracking update execution
- Identifying fatal errors early
This approach reduces trial-and-error fixes and prevents repeated failures.
Hardening Your WordPress Update Strategy
To reduce the likelihood of WordPress getting stuck in maintenance mode:
- Disable automatic updates for critical plugins
- Perform updates in smaller batches
- Increase PHP memory and execution limits
- Always take a backup before updating
- Monitor update failures and logs
These steps reduce risk and make update failures easier to diagnose and recover from.
Conclusion
When a WordPress site remains stuck in maintenance mode, the root cause is usually an interrupted update process combined with limited visibility into failures.
The issue is not random, and it is not limited to specific plugins or themes. It reflects how updates are executed, monitored, and tested.
Treating updates as controlled deployment tasks instead of one-click actions significantly reduces downtime. With proper resource allocation, isolation, and logging, maintenance mode becomes a short-lived state rather than a recurring problem.
