How to Fix WordPress Maintenance Mode Stuck Issue (Step-by-Step Guide)

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A WordPress site stuck in maintenance mode can lock you out of your site and display a “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance” message to visitors, hurting user experience and SEO. This issue often occurs after an interrupted update, leaving a .maintenance file behind. In this 2025 step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to fix the WordPress maintenance mode stuck issue, even if you’re a beginner. With clear instructions, tools, and expert tips, you’ll get your site back online fast. Let’s dive in!

What Causes WordPress Maintenance Mode Stuck Issue?

WordPress enters maintenance mode during updates to plugins, themes, or the core software, creating a temporary .maintenance file. If the update is interrupted, the file isn’t deleted, keeping the site in maintenance mode. Common causes include:

  • Interrupted Updates: Server timeouts, internet issues, or manual browser closure during updates.
  • Server Resource Limits: Low memory or CPU on shared hosting stalls updates.
  • Plugin/Theme Conflicts: Faulty plugins or themes disrupt the update process.
  • File Permissions: Incorrect permissions prevent WordPress from removing .maintenance.
  • Hosting Issues: Slow or unstable servers cause update failures.

This guide covers 5 actionable steps to resolve the maintenance mode stuck issue and prevent future problems, optimized for 2025 WordPress setups.

Prerequisites

  • Access to your WordPress admin panel (yoursite.com/wp-admin) and site files (via FTP or hosting file manager, e.g., SiteGround’s cPanel).
  • A backup of your site (use UpdraftPlus for free, reliable backups).
  • Basic WordPress knowledge (I’ll keep steps beginner-friendly!).

Note: Stable hosting prevents update issues. I recommend SiteGround for their reliable servers and fast support.

Step 1: Delete the .maintenance File

The most common fix is removing the .maintenance file that keeps your site in maintenance mode.

  1. Access Your Site Files:
    • Use FTP (e.g., FileZilla) or your hosting file manager (e.g., SiteGround’s cPanel).
    • Navigate to the WordPress root folder (usually public_html or www).
  2. Locate .maintenance:
    • Find the .maintenance file (note the dot; it’s a hidden file).
    • If your FTP client doesn’t show hidden files, enable “Show Hidden Files” in settings (e.g., FileZilla: View > Show Hidden Files).
  3. Delete the File:
    • Download a backup of .maintenance (optional).
    • Delete the file from the server.
  4. Test Your Site:
    • Visit your site and admin panel (yoursite.com/wp-admin). If the maintenance message is gone, this step worked.

Why It Works: Deleting .maintenance exits maintenance mode, restoring site access.

Affiliate Link: SiteGround offers an intuitive file manager for easy access.

Step 2: Check for Incomplete Updates

An interrupted update may leave plugins, themes, or WordPress core in a broken state.

  1. Access Admin Panel:
    • Log in to yoursite.com/wp-admin.
    • If inaccessible, proceed to Step 3.
  2. Check Update Status:
    • Go to Dashboard > Updates.
    • Look for pending updates or errors (e.g., “Update failed”).
  3. Re-run Updates:
    • Update WordPress, plugins, or themes manually.
    • If updates fail, note the error for Step 3.
  4. Test Your Site:
    • Confirm the maintenance mode message is gone.

Why It Works: Completing updates ensures all components are properly installed, preventing maintenance mode triggers.

Pro Tip: Use Query Monitor (self-hosted) to debug update-related issues.

Step 3: Disable Plugins to Resolve Conflicts

Plugin conflicts can stall updates, keeping your site in maintenance mode.

  1. Disable Plugins via FTP:
    • Navigate to wp-content/plugins/ and rename the folder to plugins-disabled.
    • Visit your site. If maintenance mode is resolved, a plugin is the issue.
  2. Identify the Culprit:
    • Restore the plugins folder name.
    • Move one plugin to a temporary folder (e.g., plugins-temp) and test your site.
    • Repeat until maintenance mode returns, indicating the faulty plugin.
    • Common culprits: WooCommerce, Yoast SEO.
  3. Fix or Replace:
    • Update the plugin via Plugins > Installed Plugins (if admin is accessible).
    • Replace with a lightweight alternative (e.g., Rank Math for SEO).

Why It Works: Disabling plugins eliminates conflicts that stall updates, exiting maintenance mode.

Affiliate Link: Optimize plugins with WP Rocket to prevent conflicts.

Step 4: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can prevent WordPress from deleting .maintenance or completing updates.

  1. Access File Manager:
    • Via FTP or hosting file manager, navigate to the WordPress root folder.
  2. Check Permissions:
    • Right-click the root folder (e.g., public_html) and select File Permissions.
    • Ensure:
      • Folders: 755
      • Files: 644
      • wp-config.php: 600 (for security)
  3. Fix Permissions:
    • Update permissions if incorrect (e.g., use cPanel’s File Manager > Change Permissions).
    • Re-test updates in Dashboard > Updates.
  4. Test Your Site:
    • Confirm maintenance mode is resolved.

Why It Works: Proper permissions allow WordPress to manage files, preventing stuck maintenance mode.

Affiliate Link: SiteGround simplifies permission management via cPanel.

Step 5: Contact Hosting Support

If the above steps fail, server issues or resource limits may be the cause.

  1. Check Server Status:
    • Log in to your hosting dashboard (e.g., SiteGround, Bluehost).
    • Confirm PHP 7.4+, adequate memory (256M), and no server outages.
  2. Submit a Support Ticket:
    • Share wp-content/debug.log (if available), steps tried, and update errors.
    • Request assistance with .maintenance removal or server diagnostics.
  3. Consider Upgrading Hosting:
    • Shared hosting often causes update failures. SiteGround offers high-performance plans with Google Cloud infrastructure.

Why It Works: Hosting support can resolve server-side issues like timeouts or resource caps.

Preventing WordPress Maintenance Mode Stuck Issues in 2025

  • Update Safely: Use SiteGround’s staging to test updates.
  • Monitor Site Health: Use Query Monitor to catch update issues early.
  • Backup Regularly: Automate with UpdraftPlus.
  • Limit Plugins: Keep <15 plugins to reduce conflicts.
  • Optimize Performance: Use WP Rocket to reduce server load.
  • Choose Reliable Hosting: SiteGround ensures stable updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does maintenance mode persist after deleting .maintenance?
A: Incomplete updates or plugin conflicts may be the cause. Check Dashboard > Updates and disable plugins.

Q: Can free hosting cause maintenance mode issues?
A: Yes, free plans often lack resources for updates. Upgrade to SiteGround.

Q: How do I prevent maintenance mode during updates?
A: Use SiteGround’s staging and UpdraftPlus backups.

Wrapping Up

Fixing the WordPress maintenance mode stuck issue is straightforward with this 2025 guide. By deleting .maintenance, resolving updates, and using reliable hosting like SiteGround, you’ll keep your site accessible. Want more fixes? Download my Free WordPress Troubleshooting Checklist or explore my guides:

Share your maintenance mode fixes on X or ask below! Visit my Resources page for top tools.

Download the Free WordPress Troubleshooting Checklist

If this guide helped, share it with a friend or follow TechBit for more WordPress troubleshooting tips!

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