How to Disable Automatic Updates in WordPress

ByThe Nomad Brad

WordPress automatic updates are designed to keep your site secure and running smoothly by automatically installing the latest versions of WordPress core, plugins, and themes.

However, there are legitimate reasons why you might want to disable or customize these automatic updates. This guide will walk you through the process of managing automatic updates in WordPress.

Understanding WordPress Automatic Updates

WordPress implements several types of automatic updates:

Core Updates: These include minor releases (security and maintenance updates) and major version updates. By default, WordPress automatically installs minor updates but requires manual approval for major versions.

Plugin Updates: WordPress can automatically update plugins to their latest versions, though this feature may vary depending on your hosting provider and WordPress configuration.

Theme Updates: Similar to plugins, themes can receive automatic updates to ensure compatibility and security.

Translation File Updates: WordPress automatically updates language translation files.

Why Disable Automatic Updates?

Before disabling automatic updates, it’s important to understand why you might need to do this:

  • Testing Requirements: You may need to test updates in a staging environment before applying them to your live site
  • Compatibility Concerns: Automatic updates might break custom code or cause conflicts with specific plugins or themes
  • Controlled Deployment: Enterprise environments often require scheduled maintenance windows for updates
  • Custom Development: Sites with custom plugins or themes may need careful version management
  • Client Approval: Agency or freelance developers may need client authorization before making changes

Important Security Note: Disabling automatic updates increases your security risk. You’ll need to manually monitor and apply updates regularly to protect your site from vulnerabilities.

Method 1: Disable All Automatic Updates via wp-config.php

The most comprehensive way to disable automatic updates is by adding code to your wp-config.php file.

Steps:

  1. Connect to your website using FTP or your hosting file manager
  2. Locate the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory
  3. Download a backup copy of the file before making changes
  4. Open wp-config.php in a text editor
  5. Add the following code before the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */:
define( 'AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true );
  1. Save the file and upload it back to your server

This single line disables all automatic updates, including core, plugins, themes, and translation files.

Method 2: Disable Specific Types of Updates

For more granular control, you can disable specific types of updates while allowing others to continue automatically.

Disable Core Updates Only

Add this code to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );

Disable Plugin and Theme Updates Only

Add this code to your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin:

add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', '__return_false' );
add_filter( 'auto_update_theme', '__return_false' );

Disable Translation Updates

Add this to functions.php:

add_filter( 'auto_update_translation', '__return_false' );

Enable Minor Core Updates, Disable Major Updates

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', 'minor' );

Method 3: Using the Easy Updates Manager Plugin

If you’re not comfortable editing code files, you can use a plugin to manage automatic updates through a user-friendly interface.

Steps:

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New
  3. Search for “Easy Updates Manager”
  4. Click Install Now, then Activate
  5. Go to Dashboard > Updates Options
  6. Configure your preferred automatic update settings using the plugin’s interface

The plugin allows you to enable or disable automatic updates for core, plugins, themes, and translations individually or in bulk.

Method 4: Filter-Based Approach for Individual Plugins or Themes

You can selectively disable automatic updates for specific plugins or themes using filters.

Disable Auto-Updates for Specific Plugins

Add this code to your functions.php file:

function disable_plugin_auto_updates( $update, $item ) {
    // Array of plugin slugs to disable auto-updates
    $plugins = array(
        'plugin-folder-name/plugin-file.php',
        'another-plugin/another-plugin.php',
    );
    
    if ( in_array( $item->plugin, $plugins ) ) {
        return false;
    }
    
    return $update;
}
add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', 'disable_plugin_auto_updates', 10, 2 );

Disable Auto-Updates for Specific Themes

function disable_theme_auto_updates( $update, $item ) {
    // Array of theme slugs to disable auto-updates
    $themes = array(
        'theme-folder-name',
    );
    
    if ( in_array( $item->theme, $themes ) ) {
        return false;
    }
    
    return $update;
}
add_filter( 'auto_update_theme', 'disable_theme_auto_updates', 10, 2 );

Managing Updates Through the WordPress Dashboard

WordPress 5.5 and later versions include a user interface for managing automatic updates for plugins and themes directly from the dashboard.

To enable or disable auto-updates for individual plugins:

  1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
  2. Find the plugin you want to manage
  3. Click Enable auto-updates or Disable auto-updates link

To enable or disable auto-updates for individual themes:

  1. Go to Appearance > Themes
  2. Click on a theme to view its details
  3. Toggle the auto-updates option

This method is the easiest for managing individual plugins and themes without touching any code.

Best Practices After Disabling Automatic Updates

If you choose to disable automatic updates, follow these best practices to maintain site security:

Create a Regular Update Schedule: Check for updates at least weekly, or daily for high-traffic or business-critical sites.

Use a Staging Environment: Test all updates on a staging site before applying them to production. Many hosting providers offer staging environments, or you can create one manually.

Backup Before Updating: Always create a complete backup before manually applying updates. Use a reliable backup plugin or your hosting provider’s backup service.

Monitor Security Announcements: Subscribe to WordPress security mailing lists and follow security blogs to stay informed about critical vulnerabilities.

Enable Update Notifications: Ensure you receive email notifications when updates are available, even if automatic updates are disabled.

Document Your Update Process: Keep records of what was updated and when, especially if you manage multiple sites.

Consider Partial Automation: You might keep automatic minor core updates enabled while manually managing major updates, plugins, and themes.

Re-Enabling Automatic Updates

If you want to re-enable automatic updates, simply reverse the changes you made:

  • Remove or comment out the code added to wp-config.php or functions.php
  • Deactivate and delete the Easy Updates Manager plugin
  • Use the WordPress dashboard to enable auto-updates for specific plugins and themes

Troubleshooting

Updates Still Running Automatically: Clear your site cache and check that the code was added correctly. Ensure there are no conflicting plugins managing updates.

White Screen After Editing wp-config.php: Restore your backup copy of wp-config.php and check for syntax errors in the code you added.

Plugin Conflicts: If you’re using multiple methods to manage updates or multiple plugins, they may conflict. Stick to one method for consistency.

Conclusion

Disabling automatic updates in WordPress gives you greater control over your site’s maintenance schedule and compatibility testing.

However, this control comes with the responsibility of regularly checking for and applying updates manually. Security should always be a top priority, so if you disable automatic updates, make sure you have a robust manual update process in place.

Choose the method that best fits your technical comfort level and site requirements, and always maintain regular backups regardless of your update strategy.

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