The main reason to disable a WordPress automatic updates is that they can sometimes break a website. Most of the time, updates are thoroughly tested, and there won\u2019t be any problems. This is especially true with WordPress core, as well as many popular themes updates and plugins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that being said, developers can\u2019t possibly test their software with every possible combination of plugins and themes. If you have tools installed that are built for a certain WordPress version of WordPress or rely on other plugins, a WordPress update can cause compatibility issues with the others. In rare cases, this could cause a chain reaction that brings down an entire website or cripples mission-critical functionality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another potential issue with WordPress auto updates is unwanted new feature changes. If you remember the launch of the WordPress Block Editor<\/a>, you probably also remember the controversy surrounding it. Despite plenty of advance notice, many users experienced disruptions to their workflows because they weren\u2019t prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For these reasons, if your site is a vital part of your business, the usual best practice<\/a> is to review and test updates first before applying them to your live site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before moving forward, however, it\u2019s important to know that there are both advantages and disadvantages when you disable an automatic update. Let\u2019s explore the most important considerations in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can turn off automatic updates for WordPress core files, plugins, and themes simply by adding a few code snippets to your files. Here\u2019s how to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To turn off automatic updates for WordPress core, you just have to add the following code to your wp-config.php<\/em> file:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To access the file, you\u2019ll need to either use a File Transfer Protocol (FTP)<\/a> solution (we recommend the free FileZilla client<\/a>) or the file manager in your web host\u2019s cPanel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have access to your site\u2019s files, you can find wp-config.php <\/em>by navigating to app > public<\/em>. Open up the file and add the code snippet towards the end, right above the line that says \/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. *\/:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now WordPress will no longer install updates automatically. This only applies to the WordPress core updates, however. If you want to disable updates for plugins and themes as well, proceed to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To stop your plugins and themes from updating automatically, you need to add a line of code to your theme\u2019s functions.php<\/em> file. You don\u2019t need a file browser or FTP client for this one\u2014you can access this file by heading to your WordPress dashboard and navigating to Appearance > Theme Editor:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Select your theme and open up function.php <\/em>from the list on the right. Then, to disable automatic plugin updates, add the following code to the bottom of the file:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To turn off updates for themes, use this code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to turn them off for both your theme and any plugins you\u2019re using, simply add both lines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you have automatic updates turned off for WordPress core, themes, and plugins. You can mix and match these in any combination you like, in order to create an update solution that works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress is nothing if not flexible. So if you prefer to use a plugin to disable updates instead of code, you\u2019re in luck. All you need to do is install and activate an update manager plugin and configure your preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a number of WordPress plugins available to help you manage updates, but we recommend Easy Updates Manager<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This solution enables you to easily manage updates for your entire WordPress site, including core files, themes, and plugins. It also works with WordPress multisite installations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To install the plugin, head to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.<\/em> Search for \u201cEasy Updates Manager,\u201d and it should be the first option. Click on Install<\/em> and then Activate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Easy Updates Manager offers incredibly fine-grained control over the updates on your site. To configure its options, head to your WordPress dashboard and click the new Updates Options<\/em> link in the sidebar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This will take you to the Easy Updates Manager settings. If you want to turn off all updates, just toggle the \u201cDisable all updates\u201d option:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also toggle individual categories, like plugins, themes, WordPress core, and translation. If that\u2019s still not enough control, you can dig into each category and set preferences for every WordPress theme and plugin individually:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no need to save these changes when you\u2019re done. Just set your preferences however you want them, and they\u2019ll take effect automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need more control over your site, disabling WordPress installation for new updates can give it to you. This also enables you to vet a plugin update before installing the new version and updating WordPress, to ensure compatibility and maximize uptime on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need more ways to keep your website in shape, WP Engine can help<\/a>. We offer the best hosting for WordPress<\/a> and the best resources<\/a> (in addition to providing 24\/7 WordPress help<\/a> and support services) to keep your site running at peak performance!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Have you ever gone to check on your WordPress site, only to find your WordPress theme broken, plugin functionality crippled, or major features moved and changed? If so, you may have been surprised to find that the WordPress auto update was to blame. A WordPress user can avoid this problem by disabling auto updates in…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":110693,"template":"","resource-topic":[901],"resource-role":[896,903,899],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-110580","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nPros and Cons of Disabling WordPress Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros of Disabling Updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cons of Disabling Updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to Disable Automatic Updates: No Plugin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Add Code to Your wp-config <\/em>File<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/aQ1Rrcow7JFBawV8XCa931JL3PK9KPYV788EWaHBq-V9BLnWyM8bLDJcMopyyzOtnaQE-i3e39wJxli54Xu7fpUqujHhXraOWAqC33zqf5Bc2suOVWBetkReQ79FcoT3PHnVZ1jE\")
Step 2: Disable Automatic Updates by Adding Filter Code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"image](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/i2LEWrMB8I14jbFPcYTLeK4lmqRjsjcYNEKRCTz3HeR9aywZBe8GQE6-Gjcolo0mVloixw8nXIIlIGOoHJUS_ae2GsJOoG-jSd_mBIXVvZW9cz6iVZau2WfB5FLrYcjkWJaSxuIF\")
add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', '__return_false' );<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nadd_filter( 'auto_update_theme', '__return_false' );<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/NzUjt-Zi9LBmWj4j8SJZBxA1-HahoO39g2zxT2nzpZcwdOWIj-9yi0OHLN5Ri_-j5oeVZ03WD5G1_9t5Qynmz_wpqAzkrUD05lOm5ga8DgytbNV6IvYuGHToxgGHwNBb_ihjpGU_\")
How to Disable Automatic Updates: With a Plugin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Download an Update Manager Plugin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/X3_BdB2QyfWz9HI7NMYcykUcjIN9ErfDkidteXqRPjX3qcvdhR82XISb611Ie_ZqlmvcW_YwJ1TiwyT7MJSwhMIL4VWM3QBMqyIWsaw2coV7HKcxhBoA7qs2rkfHisfrCQaIgSDK\")
Step 2: Configure Your Update Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/z9lT8fUZME7zHG9FKG57H0vT2_T3G1XUC976-zSCpd_AQ4A9kIM2Ix-IZXCxmusE0crEbK0Rp0YM6zfuTJ4fbNfI24fB2CpaF7yyylT8qTxzyBb2scKOkw2dJlc2jti-0EwmNkZa\")
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/X81Sj4IDP-jbMb4HWXTRUeJhWAmi6E7d4Lk0AfMSthAFXXPSkYhjEVukCZjetm4PSZy8_MJTU1sBTOuZ9VkOoCKi4dNNZaJAk4KEHkcRVrBrTKpE3-DOS4rsT9V0iqAGZyXuP6Qp\")
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/fwjZsUD7pk_4V-jis2FEwWVT3CfkurWPMlhfeF0mhzavCBBgTgQdwHIWGm1lL47TlWQ7heT3Dk1kFUtJqrZZ7Nj3a1M2Kzxkjv0xtXQLNKgjfbrht-knOgWdaSaP71zKlnq2PXN_\")
Keep Your Site in Shape with WP Engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n