How to Fix WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode

Quick Fix (TL;DR)

If your WordPress site is stuck in maintenance mode:

1. Connect via File Manager or FTP
2. Go to your WordPress root folder
3. Delete the file named:

.maintenance

4. Refresh your website

If the issue persists, follow the full guide below.

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What Is WordPress Maintenance Mode?

Whenever you update:

• plugins
• themes
• WordPress core

WordPress temporarily creates a file called:

.maintenance

This puts your site in maintenance mode and shows:

Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.

Normally, WordPress removes this file automatically after the update. If something interrupts the process, the file remains—and your site gets stuck.

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Common Causes of This Error

1. Interrupted Updates

Closing browser or timeout during update.

2. Slow Hosting Server

Shared hosting often times out during updates.

3. Plugin Conflicts

Faulty plugins can break update process.

4. Low PHP Memory

Insufficient memory can stop update scripts.

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Step 1: Delete the .maintenance File

This is the most effective fix.

Using File Manager (cPanel)

1. Login to your hosting panel
2. Open File Manager
3. Go to:

public_html

4. Enable hidden files
5. Delete:

.maintenance

Using SSH

rm -f .maintenance

Reload your site.

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Step 2: Clear Cache

After removing the file, clear all caches:

• browser cache
• WordPress cache
• CDN cache

Sometimes cached pages still show maintenance message.

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Step 3: Check Failed Updates

Go to WordPress dashboard (if accessible).

Reinstall updates for:

• plugins
• themes
• WordPress core

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Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Low memory can cause update failure.

Edit:

wp-config.php

Add:

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

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Step 5: Disable Plugins

If the issue keeps happening:

wp-content/plugins

Rename:

plugins → plugins_backup

Check site again.

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Step 6: Enable Debug Mode

To detect hidden issues:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true);

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Step 7: Check Server Logs

Look for errors:

/var/log/apache2/error.log
/var/log/nginx/error.log

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Best Hosting to Avoid Maintenance Issues

Slow or unstable hosting is a major reason updates fail.

👉 Cloudways Managed Hosting

Benefits:

• faster updates
• optimized PHP
• better uptime

👉 Bluehost Hosting

Good for beginners and small websites.

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Preventing Maintenance Mode Issues

1. Avoid Bulk Updates

Update plugins one by one.

2. Use Reliable Hosting

Avoid low-resource shared hosting.

3. Enable Backups

Always backup before updates.

4. Increase Execution Time

max_execution_time = 300

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Conclusion

The WordPress stuck in maintenance mode issue is usually caused by an interrupted update.

The quickest fix is deleting the .maintenance file.

For long-term stability:

• use better hosting
• increase memory limits
• update plugins carefully