How to Fix ‘Another Update is Currently in Progress’ Error in WordPress

Are you stuck on the “Another Update is Currently in Progress” error? In this article, we’ll discuss how to fix the ‘another update is currently in progress’ error in WordPress.

The error is displayed on your Updates page, preventing you from upgrading WordPress core or even your plugins and theme.

Usually, the error should automatically go away. However, if you have waited a long time and are still stuck on this message, it’s not likely to resolve itself. You have to fix this manually.

Why Does This Error Occur?

All aspects of WordPress are updated frequently, which adds new features or functionalities, solves bugs, or addresses security issues. That’s why users perform regular updates so that they don’t miss any possible improvements.

This error usually occurs when a WordPress update is ongoing in the background, and a user attempts to start another update.

WordPress sets an automatic update lock on your WordPress database during the update process.

This lock stops you from running updates on your website at the same time and prevents WordPress errors that can destroy important data.

The error message automatically disappears when the update process is completed. However, if you get stuck in the update process, then you have to fix it yourself. 

Now, let’s move to the methods to fix the ‘another update is currently in progress’ error in WordPress.

 How you can Fix the ‘Another Update in Progress’ Error 

You can fix the ‘Another Update in Progress’ Error by using the plugin or by Using phpMyAdmin. In this article, we will explain both ways.  You can choose the one that fits you best.

Method 1: Using a plugin

You can use the Fix Another Update In Progress plugin to fix the ‘Another Update in Progress’ Error in WordPress. 

To start with this plugin, you have to install and activate it on your WordPress.

After installation, the plugin will add the Fix Another Update In Progress option in the menu. visit to Settings >> Fix Another Update In Progress options. 

If you are stuck in this error, then you will notice the message, written in red: WordPress Update, is locked. Click the button below to fix it. 

You have to click on the Fix WordPress Update Lock tab below to fix the error. 

Now, the plugin will delete the core_updater.lock from your database.

After processing, it will resolve the issue. Then, you will notice the confirmation message: Success! You’ve successfully fixed “another update in progress!”.

After that, if you want, you can press the WordPress Update link below the confirmation message to continue your updates. After clicking the link, you will reach Dashboard >> Updates.

Method 2: Using phpMyAdmin

Another method to fix ‘another update in process error’ is by using phpMyAdmin. You have to remove the ‘core_updater.lock’ file from the database. 

Note: Creating a complete website backup is good before making changes to your database or WP theme files.

To start with phpMyAdmin, log in to the cPanel dashboard of your WP hosting account. 

From there, scroll down to the database section click on the ‘phpMyAdmin’ option.

Inside the phpMyAdmin app, select your WordPress database. After clicking your database, it will show all the tables inside it.

Then, look for the wp_options table and click the ‘Browse’ button next to it. 

On the next screen, it will show all the rows inside the options table. 

You have to look for the row with the option name ‘core_updater.lock’ and click on the delete tab next to it.

Now, phpMyAdmin will delete the row from your database. 

When you switch back to your WordPress website, another update in process error must disappear now, and you can restart updating your WordPress site. 

To conclude- You may notice the ‘another update is currently in progress’ error on your updating page while trying to update your WordPress core, theme, or plugin. 

This error usually occurs when a WordPress update is ongoing in the background, and you try to start another update. This stuck you in between the update process and prevented you from further updating anything. 

However, this error can be easily fixed by the plugin or phpMyAdmin.

We hope this article helped you to fix the ‘another update is currently in progress’ error in WordPress. 

If you are experiencing any other error on your site, you can fix it by following the steps told in our other article on what to do when you are logged out of the WordPress admin area.