How to Disable WordPress Automatic Updates: Complete Guide
WordPress automatic updates can save administrators time by keeping the WordPress core, plugins, and themes up to date. However, automatic changes are not always desirable for every website.
For example, developers may want to test updates before deploying them to a production website, or a business may have a customized plugin that requires a specific version. In these situations, controlling automatic updates can provide greater stability and predictability.
This guide explains different ways to disable WordPress automatic updates, including dashboard settings, configuration files, filters, and hosting-level approaches.
Important: Disabling automatic updates means you become responsible for monitoring and installing updates manually. Delaying security updates for too long can leave your website vulnerable.
What Are WordPress Automatic Updates?
WordPress can automatically update certain components of a website without requiring the administrator to manually download and install every release.
Depending on your configuration, automatic updates may apply to:
- WordPress core
- Plugins
- Themes
- Translation files
WordPress also distinguishes between different types of core updates. Minor maintenance and security releases may be handled differently from major feature releases.
Because automatic updates can vary by WordPress version and site configuration, it is important to understand exactly what you want to disable rather than turning off every update unnecessarily.
Why Disable Automatic Updates?
Automatic updates are useful for many websites, but there are situations where administrators may prefer manual control.
1. Testing Before Deployment
Developers may want to test an update on a staging website before applying it to production.
2. Custom Themes or Plugins
A website may contain customized code that could be affected by an update.
3. Compatibility Concerns
A new plugin or theme version might require a different PHP or WordPress version.
4. Scheduled Maintenance
Businesses may prefer to perform updates during a planned maintenance window.
5. Version Control
Development teams sometimes manage WordPress updates through deployment systems or version-control workflows.
Before Disabling Automatic Updates
Before changing your update settings, consider the security implications.
If you disable automatic updates, create a routine for checking:
- WordPress core updates
- Plugin updates
- Theme updates
- PHP compatibility
- Security advisories
- Backup status
A good approach is to disable automatic updates only where necessary, rather than disabling every form of automatic update on every website.
Method 1: Disable Automatic Plugin and Theme Updates from the Dashboard
Recent WordPress versions provide update controls directly in the administration area for plugins and themes.
Step 1: Log in to WordPress
Open your WordPress administration area:
https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/Log in with an administrator account.
Step 2: Open the Plugins Page
Go to:
Plugins → Installed Plugins
Look for the Automatic Updates column.
Depending on the WordPress version and plugin, you may see an option to enable or disable automatic updates.
Step 3: Turn Off Automatic Updates
For a plugin that has automatic updates enabled, select:
Disable auto-updates
Repeat this for other plugins where you want manual update control.
Managing Theme Updates
Go to:
Appearance → Themes
Select the relevant theme and look for its automatic update option.
This approach is useful when you want to control updates on an individual basis rather than disabling them globally.
Method 2: Disable WordPress Automatic Updates Using wp-config.php
Administrators who want stronger control can configure WordPress through the wp-config.php file.
Before editing this file, create a backup.
Open:
wp-config.phpAdd the following line:
define( 'AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true );This disables the WordPress automatic updater.
Place the code before the line:
/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */Important Consideration
This is a broad setting. It can prevent automatic updates more extensively than simply disabling plugin or theme auto-updates.
If your objective is only to stop automatic plugin and theme updates while retaining some WordPress core update behavior, use a more targeted configuration instead.
Method 3: Disable All Core Automatic Updates
If you specifically want to prevent WordPress core from automatically updating, you can use:
define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );Add it to wp-config.php before the standard WordPress stop-editing comment.
For example:
define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );
/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */This setting controls WordPress core automatic updates.
Be Careful With This Configuration
Disabling core updates means that security and maintenance releases may no longer be installed automatically.
You should therefore establish a manual update process.
Method 4: Disable Automatic Updates Using a Filter
Developers can control automatic updates programmatically through WordPress filters.
For example, the following filter can disable automatic updates for plugins:
add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', '__return_false' );To disable automatic theme updates:
add_filter( 'auto_update_theme', '__return_false' );These snippets are generally placed in a site-specific plugin or another appropriate custom-code location.
Using a small custom plugin is often preferable to modifying a theme’s functions.php, because theme changes or replacements can remove custom code.
Method 5: Disable Automatic Updates for a Specific Plugin
You don’t necessarily need to disable updates for every plugin.
WordPress provides filters that can be used to control automatic updates selectively.
For example:
add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', function( $update, $item ) {
if ( isset( $item->plugin ) && $item->plugin === 'example-plugin/example-plugin.php' ) {
return false;
}
return $update;
}, 10, 2 );Replace:
example-plugin/example-plugin.phpwith the plugin’s actual path.
This approach is useful when one plugin requires additional testing while other plugins can continue receiving automatic updates.
Method 6: Disable Automatic Updates Through Hosting Tools
Some managed WordPress hosting platforms and hosting control panels provide their own update management features.
Depending on your hosting environment, you may find options for:
- WordPress core updates
- Plugin updates
- Theme updates
- Security updates
- Scheduled updates
If your website is hosted on a managed WordPress platform, check its WordPress management interface before changing WordPress configuration files.
The hosting platform may override or supplement WordPress’s normal update behavior.
How to Check Whether Automatic Updates Are Enabled
After changing your settings, log in to WordPress and visit:
Dashboard → Updates
This page shows available WordPress, plugin, and theme updates.
For plugins, you can also visit:
Plugins → Installed Plugins
and check the Automatic Updates column.
Remember that seeing an available update does not necessarily mean that automatic updates are enabled.
How to Disable Automatic Updates Without Disabling Manual Updates
Disabling automatic updates does not mean that you can no longer update WordPress.
You can still update components manually.
For example:
Dashboard → Updates
Then select the required update and install it manually.
This gives you an opportunity to:
- Create a backup.
- Test the website.
- Review compatibility.
- Apply the update.
- Check the website after updating.
How to Safely Manage Updates After Disabling Them
If automatic updates are disabled, establish a regular maintenance process.
Step 1: Create a Backup
Take a full backup of:
- Website files
- Database
- Uploaded media
- Configuration files
Step 2: Test Updates
If possible, clone the website to a staging environment.
Step 3: Update One Component at a Time
Updating several components simultaneously can make troubleshooting more difficult if something breaks.
Step 4: Check the Website
After updating, test:
- Homepage
- Login page
- Contact forms
- Checkout
- Important plugins
- Search functionality
- User registration
- Admin dashboard
Step 5: Monitor Error Logs
Check your hosting or server error logs for PHP errors and other problems after updates.
Common Problems When Disabling Automatic Updates
Website Becomes Outdated
The biggest risk is simply forgetting to install updates.
A website with outdated software can become vulnerable to known security issues.
Plugin Compatibility Problems
Older plugins may eventually become incompatible with newer WordPress or PHP versions.
Missed Security Fixes
If automatic updates are disabled, important security releases may require manual installation.
Developer Code Becomes Outdated
Custom WordPress code may rely on old functions or behaviors. Regular testing helps identify these issues before they become serious problems.
Should You Disable WordPress Automatic Updates?
There isn’t one approach that fits every website.
For a simple website with commonly used plugins and themes, automatic updates can reduce maintenance work.
For a heavily customized website, an e-commerce platform, or a development environment, administrators may prefer testing updates before deployment.
A practical compromise is to keep important security updates under appropriate automatic protection while manually controlling components that require compatibility testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling automatic updates disable manual updates?
No. You can still update WordPress, plugins, and themes manually from the WordPress dashboard.
Is it safe to disable WordPress automatic updates?
It can be appropriate in controlled environments, but you must regularly install security and maintenance updates yourself.
Can I disable automatic updates for only one plugin?
Yes. WordPress provides dashboard controls and developer filters that can be used to control automatic updates for individual plugins.
Will AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED stop all WordPress updates?
It disables the WordPress automatic updater. Manual updates can still be performed from the dashboard.
Should I modify wp-config.php?
Only if you are comfortable editing WordPress configuration files. Always keep a backup before making configuration changes.
What happens if I forget to update WordPress?
Your website can become outdated and may miss important security, compatibility, and bug fixes. If automatic updates are disabled, schedule regular maintenance checks.
Final Thoughts
Disabling WordPress automatic updates gives website administrators more control over when software changes are introduced. This can be useful for customized websites, staging environments, and projects that require compatibility testing.
However, automatic updates also provide an important layer of maintenance and security. If you turn them off, replace that automation with a consistent manual update and backup strategy.
For most websites, the better approach is not necessarily to disable every automatic update, but to control updates selectively and test important changes before they reach production.
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