How to Fix the ‘Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance’ Error in WordPress

The ‘Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance’ error in WordPress can be frustrating, but it’s usually easy to fix with a few simple steps.

Understanding the ‘Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance’ Error

The message ‘Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.’ appears when WordPress enters maintenance mode during updates. This is a normal part of the update process, designed to prevent your website from displaying broken content to visitors.

During updates, WordPress creates a temporary .maintenance file that places your site in maintenance mode. Usually, this file is automatically deleted once updates are complete. However, if the process is interrupted, the file may remain, causing the error message to persist.

Common Causes of the Error

Low memory: PHP scripts that handle updates may fail if your server lacks sufficient memory.
Slow server response: If the server is slow, scripts may time out before completing updates.
Compatibility issues: Incompatible plugins or themes can disrupt the update process.
Interrupted updates: Closing the browser tab or losing connection can halt updates prematurely.

Ways to Fix the WordPress Maintenance Error

1. Fixing the Error Using Hostinger‘s hPanel

If you’re using Hostinger, you can easily resolve this issue via the hPanel.

Log in to your hPanel and navigate to the Files section.
Select File Manager and open your root directory (usually public_html).
Locate the .maintenance file, right-click, and select Delete.

Deleting this file will restore your site’s normal functionality.

2. Fixing the Error Using an FTP Client

An FTP client like FileZilla can also be used to delete the .maintenance file.

Connect to your site using FileZilla and navigate to the public_html directory.
If the file is hidden, go to Server and select Force showing hidden files.
Find and delete the .maintenance file.

This should resolve the issue and bring your site back online.

Preventing the ‘Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance’ Error

To avoid this error in the future, consider the following tips:

Keep Your Browser Tab Open

During updates, ensure your browser tab remains open. Closing it can interrupt the process and cause the error.

Avoid Bulk Updates

Updating multiple plugins or themes simultaneously can cause conflicts and errors. Update them individually and check for compatibility.

Upgrade Your Web Hosting Service

Limited server resources can cause update errors. Consider upgrading your hosting plan to enhance performance. Hostinger offers great options for additional storage and better performance.

Plugins for Custom Maintenance Mode Pages

Customize your site’s maintenance page with these plugins:

1. Coming Soon Page, Maintenance Mode & Landing Pages

Rating: 5/5
Features: Mobile-ready, WooCommerce integration, spam protection
Pricing: Freemium, premium starts at $79.50/year

This plugin offers drag-and-drop functionality for creating responsive pages.

2. Minimal Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode

Rating: 4.7/5
Features: Custom HTML & CSS, full rebranding, SEO analysis
Pricing: Freemium, premium starts at $39/year

Customize every aspect of your maintenance page with ease.

3. WP Maintenance Mode

Rating: 4.3/5
Features: Countdown timers, GDPR-ready, responsive design
Pricing: Free

Use this plugin to add dynamic elements like timers and forms to your maintenance page.

Conclusion

The ‘Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance’ error can affect user experience and brand reputation. Fixing it quickly and preventing future occurrences are key.

We’ve covered how to resolve the error and provided tips to prevent it. Remember to keep tabs open during updates, avoid bulk updates, check compatibility, and upgrade hosting if needed. For more tips and support, visit Hostinger.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment! Good luck!

Jun 27, 2024 Domantas G. 7min Read As an open-sourceCMS(Content Management System), WordPress is updated by different developers from around the globe. They regularly fix bugs, add new features, and detect vulnerability issues. Since the software is ever-changing, keeping up with the latest WordPress version is important to maintain your site’s performance and security. When updating WordPress files, your site will automatically be put in maintenance mode. However, in some cases, a“Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance”error might occur, leaving your website in the state for longer than intended. Luckily, there are ways todebug WordPress issues. We will explore how to fix the “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance” error, reveal the factors causing it, and showcase how to prevent it from happening in the future. Download all in one WordPress cheat sheet – What Is the “Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance” Error? – Ways to Fix WordPress Maintenance Error1. Fixing the Error Using <a href=”https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=1CRYPTO99″ rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank”>Hostinger</a>’s hPanel2. Fixing the Error Using an FTP Client – 1. Fixing the Error Using Hostinger’s hPanel – 2. Fixing the Error Using an FTP Client – How to Prevent the “Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance” Error in the Future?Keep Your Browser Tab Open During WordPress UpdatesDon’t Update Too Many Plugins or Themes at the Same TimeUpgrade Your Web Hosting Service – Keep Your Browser Tab Open During WordPress Updates – Don’t Update Too Many Plugins or Themes at the Same Time – Upgrade Your Web Hosting Service – Plugins to Build a Custom Maintenance Mode Page1. Coming Soon Page, Maintenance Mode & Landing Pages2. Minimal Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode3. WP Maintenance Mode – 1. Coming Soon Page, Maintenance Mode & Landing Pages – 2. Minimal Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode – 3. WP Maintenance Mode – 1. Fixing the Error Using Hostinger’s hPanel – 2. Fixing the Error Using an FTP Client – Keep Your Browser Tab Open During WordPress Updates – Don’t Update Too Many Plugins or Themes at the Same Time – Upgrade Your Web Hosting Service – 1. Coming Soon Page, Maintenance Mode & Landing Pages – 2. Minimal Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode – 3. WP Maintenance Mode

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