WordPress updates itself on its own. Most days, this is helpful. You get security fixes and new things without doing anything. But sometimes, these updates can change or break your website without warning. Maybe your theme stops working. Maybe a plugin no longer fits. It’s annoying when you wake up to a site that’s different from what you left.
If you are searching for how to do a wordpress disable auto updates, you are in the right place. Here, I will show you how to use easy steps for wp disable auto updates. I will explain simply, so you don’t need to know special computer words. Just follow me step by step and you’ll see how to manage WordPress’s automatic updates.
Why Should You Disable Auto Updates in WordPress?
Some people ask if turning off updates is a good idea. Updates are for your site’s safety, yes. But there are reasons you might want to control them.
- Avoid site issues: Sometimes, a new update will not work with your theme or plugins. One click, and your site looks broken or things stop working. For some, it’s best to use a WordPress disable auto update method to prevent this.
- No more surprises: You might log in and see your site changed. Maybe the layout is new, or a menu is broken. If you update by yourself, you will not get any surprise. Using a wp disable auto update tip gives you control over changes like this.
- You test first: When you do updates on your time, you can try them on a test site or see what changes before you let everyone else see them. That’s why many like the WordPress disable automatic updates option.
If you like your site working as you want, giving up automatic updates can make you feel more at ease.
The Easiest Ways to Disable Automatic WordPress Updates
There is more than one way to use WordPress to disable auto update solutions. Some ways use a small piece of code. Others use a plugin. All the steps are below, and you can choose the one that feels best for you.
1. Change the wp-config.php File
Every WordPress website has a file named wp-config.php. This file controls many important settings. It’s the main place for wp disable auto update settings.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Find your
wp-config.phpfile. It is in your main WordPress folder. You can get there by your host’s file manager or by using an FTP program (like FileZilla). - Open this file to edit it.
To fully stop all automatic updates (core, plugins, and themes) and achieve WordPress disable auto update, add this line:
define( 'AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true );
To only stop WordPress core (main system) updates, add:
define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );
Place the line before the text that says: /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
Save the file and close it. Now, your site uses the wp disable auto update function.
2. Change the functions.php File of Your Theme
If you want to stop only plugins or themes from updating, this method is best and supports wp disabling auto update with flexibility.
- Enter your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Appearance then Theme File Editor.
- On the right, find and click on
functions.php.
To stop plugin updates, add this at the very end:
add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', '__return_false' );
To stop theme updates:
add_filter( 'auto_update_theme', '__return_false' );
You can add both lines if you want. When you finish, click “Update File.” This is another way to use a simple WordPress disable automatic updates approach right from your dashboard.
3. Use a Plugin to Control Updates
If you do not want to touch code, you can use a plugin. A plugin gives you buttons and menus for updates. Many people use plugins for WordPress to disable auto update tasks easily.
A popular plugin is Easy Updates Manager.
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your dashboard.
- Type “Easy Updates Manager” in the search box.
- Click install, then activate.
Now, look for Updates Options in your dashboard. Here, you can turn off updates for WordPress, plugins, or themes. Turn off all, or only what you want. It is very simple. With this plugin, wp disable auto update is only a click away.
There is also WPCode if you want to add short pieces of code without editing files. This plugin has ready-made code to help with WordPress disable automatic updates as well.
4. Use Your Web Host’s Dashboard
Some website hosts offer tools in their panel for controlling updates. For example, Kinsta lets you manage auto-updates for plugins and themes by clicking a button. Some big hosts have this option for their customers. These tools sometimes also check if an update breaks your site and change things back if there is a problem.
Check with your web host’s support or help articles to see if they have a WordPress disable auto update feature or similar for you.
Now you know how to take charge of your WordPress updates. Using tools like WordPress, disabling auto update or wp disable auto update puts you in control. Take your time, test things, and enjoy your website working your way. With the right steps for WordPress disable automatic updates you choose what happens and when.
