How to Fix Automatic Updates Not Working in WordPress – Check wp-config.php Permissions

NextLevelDesign.agency brings you another useful WordPress troubleshooting guide for website owners and developers. If your WordPress automatic updates are not working, you’re not alone. Many users face this issue due to incorrect file permissions, misconfigurations, or plugin conflicts. In this article, we’ll walk you through the complete process to fix automatic updates not working — with special attention on wp-config.php file permissions.

Why Automatic Updates Are Important

Automatic updates are one of WordPress’s best features. They keep your website safe, fast, and up to date without requiring manual effort. WordPress automatically installs security patches, minor updates, and sometimes plugin or theme updates. When these updates stop working, your site can become vulnerable to hacking or compatibility issues.

Keeping your site updated ensures:

• Improved security and protection from vulnerabilities
• Better website performance and stability
• Compatibility with the latest themes and plugins
• Automatic bug fixes and feature improvements

Common Reasons Why Automatic Updates Fail

Before jumping into solutions, it’s helpful to understand the possible reasons behind the issue. The most common causes include:

• Incorrect file or folder permissions
• Misconfigured wp-config.php settings
• Disabled automatic updates through code or plugin
• Server-related file ownership issues
• Plugin or theme conflicts
• Low PHP memory limit or timeout errors

Step 1: Check wp-config.php File Permissions

The wp-config.php file is the heart of your WordPress installation. It contains database credentials and configuration settings. If this file’s permissions are set incorrectly, WordPress may fail to apply updates automatically.

Follow these steps:

1. Connect to your website using FTP or File Manager in your hosting control panel.
2. Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory (usually public_html).
3. Right-click and check the file permissions.
4. The ideal permission for wp-config.php is 440 or 400.

If permissions are too restrictive, WordPress cannot modify necessary files during an update. Try temporarily setting it to 644 during the update process, and then revert it back to 440 afterward.

Example Using cPanel File Manager

1. Log into your cPanel
2. Open File Manager → public_html
3. Select wp-config.php
4. Click on “Permissions” and set the numeric value to 644
5. Save and test the automatic update
6. Once updates work, switch permissions back to 440 for better security.

Step 2: Enable Automatic Updates in wp-config.php

Sometimes, automatic updates are disabled manually. Open your wp-config.php file and check if any of the following lines exist:

define( 'AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true );
define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );

If they do, change them to:

define( 'AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', false );
define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true );

Save the file and re-upload it to your server. This ensures WordPress is allowed to perform automatic updates again.

Step 3: Check File Ownership and Server Configuration

Even if permissions are correct, ownership mismatches can cause problems. WordPress needs to have proper access rights under your hosting user account. If you’re on shared hosting, contact your hosting provider and ask them to verify file ownership.

For VPS or dedicated servers, use SSH and run:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html

(Replace www-data with your actual web user.)

Step 4: Deactivate Conflicting Plugins

Some security or maintenance plugins can disable automatic updates to prevent unexpected changes. Temporarily deactivate all plugins, then trigger an update to see if it works. If it does, reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.

Step 5: Use WP-CLI for Manual Update

If automatic updates still fail, you can use WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) to update manually:

wp core update
wp plugin update --all
wp theme update --all

This bypasses the web interface and ensures all files are updated correctly. It’s a developer-friendly method recommended by professionals at NextLevelDesign.agency.

Step 6: Check Server Logs and Cron Jobs

WordPress uses cron jobs (wp-cron.php) to schedule tasks like automatic updates. If cron is disabled, updates won’t work.

Open your wp-config.php file and ensure this line doesn’t exist:

define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);

If it does, remove it or set it to false:

define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', false);

You can also check your server’s error logs for clues if updates fail repeatedly. Most cPanel hosting accounts have a “Errors” or “Logs” section to review.

Step 7: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Low PHP memory can cause update failures. Add this line to your wp-config.php file just above the “That’s all, stop editing!” line:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

This ensures WordPress has enough resources to perform updates without timeouts or memory errors.

Step 8: Final Security and Performance Tips

• Keep regular backups using plugins like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack VaultPress.
• Use a reputable hosting provider that supports automatic updates.
• Enable email notifications for update failures using plugins like “Easy Updates Manager.”
• Use SSL and firewall protection to safeguard your site.

Final Thoughts

Fixing WordPress automatic update issues often comes down to properly configuring the wp-config.php file and ensuring correct file permissions. Always make sure your core files are secure but accessible by WordPress for necessary operations. By following the above steps, you can easily restore automatic updates and keep your site running smoothly.

If you need professional help with WordPress design, development, or maintenance, visit NextLevelDesign.agency. Their expert team can handle everything from performance optimization to plugin conflicts and security hardening.

Related Resources

• Professional WordPress Maintenance & Support
• How to Improve WordPress Speed and Core Web Vitals
• Best Practices for WordPress Security and Backup

Written by: Muhammad Zeeshan – WordPress Developer & Digital Designer at NextLevelDesign.agency