If you run a WordPress website, you already know how important it is to keep it fast, secure, and reliable. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by enabling automatic WordPress updates. These updates make sure your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are always running on the latest versions, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and compatibility issues.
Think of it like updating your smartphone apps—you don’t want outdated versions running because they might slow down performance or expose you to risks. The same applies to your website. By hosting with automatic WordPress updates, you can focus on content creation and business growth rather than worrying about manual updates every few weeks.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about automatic updates: how they work, why they’re essential, the types available, and different ways you can manage them. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this article will help you set up the perfect balance between automation and control.
How do Automatic WordPress updates work?
WordPress introduced automatic updates in version 3.7 (back in 2013) to simplify site management. Since then, the system has evolved into a reliable background process that ensures your website is kept up-to-date without requiring you to log in and click “Update” manually.
Here’s how it works:
Update Check Process: WordPress checks its servers regularly to see if there’s a new release available (core, plugin, or theme).
Background Update Mechanism: If updates are enabled, WordPress automatically downloads the latest files and replaces outdated ones.
Verification and Safety: Before completing the update, WordPress runs checks to prevent issues like incomplete downloads or corrupted files.
Notifications: After the process, WordPress notifies the site admin by email that an update has been completed.
The beauty of this system is that it requires little to no human intervention. However, you can still fine-tune how much control you want—whether you’d like everything updated automatically or just certain elements like minor security fixes.
Example:
If a critical security update for WordPress is released, your site can automatically install it within hours—keeping hackers at bay without you lifting a finger.
Automatic updates don’t just save time; they also protect your site’s uptime, user experience, and reputation.
When and why should you update WordPress?
Updating WordPress is not just a best practice—it’s a necessity. Running outdated versions exposes your site to numerous risks, from malware attacks to broken functionality.
Key Reasons to Update WordPress
Security: Most WordPress hacks target outdated core files, themes, or plugins. Automatic updates quickly patch these vulnerabilities.
Performance: Developers constantly optimize WordPress for speed. Updating ensures your site runs efficiently.
Compatibility: Plugins and themes evolve alongside WordPress. Updates prevent conflicts between different versions.
New Features: Each WordPress update introduces new features that enhance user experience and improve customization options.
Bug Fixes: Every release fixes known issues, reducing crashes and errors on your website.
When should you update?
Immediately for Security Releases: These updates are small, targeted, and highly critical.
As Soon as Possible for Major Versions: While major releases add new features, they may cause compatibility issues, so test on a staging site first if possible.
Regularly for Plugins and Themes: Outdated plugins and themes are one of the biggest causes of WordPress vulnerabilities.
Pro Tip: By enabling automatic updates, you ensure these updates happen instantly, reducing downtime and lowering the chance of a security breach.
Types of Hosting with WordPress Automatic Updates
Not all automatic updates are created equal. WordPress allows different levels of automation depending on what you’re comfortable with. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Core Updates
Minor Core Updates: These are security patches, bug fixes, and maintenance releases. By default, WordPress automatically applies them.
Major Core Updates: These introduce new features, design changes, and improvements. While automatic installation can be enabled, many site owners prefer to review and test before applying them.
Example:
Version 6.3.1 (minor) may fix a vulnerability.
Version 6.4 (major) may introduce new editor tools, layout improvements, and feature enhancements.
2. Plugin Updates
Plugins power most of your site’s functionality—from SEO tools to contact forms. Outdated plugins are among the most exploited weaknesses in WordPress. Enabling automatic plugin updates ensures every plugin remains secure and compatible with the latest WordPress version.
Note: Poorly coded plugins can sometimes break a site after updates, which is why you should only use reputable plugins from trusted developers.
3. Theme Updates
Themes control the look and layout of your website. Like plugins, outdated themes can introduce vulnerabilities. Automatic updates ensure your theme always stays compatible with WordPress and up-to-date with security fixes.
Tip: If you’ve customized a theme directly (instead of using a child theme), automatic updates might override your customizations. Always use a child theme for modifications.
4. Translation Updates
WordPress supports multiple languages. Translation files are lightweight and usually safe to update automatically. Keeping them updated ensures your site displays accurate translations and doesn’t break multilingual features.
How to Prepare for Automatic WordPress Updates
Automatic updates are powerful, but they’re not foolproof. A sudden plugin conflict or theme incompatibility can break your site if you’re not prepared. Proper preparation helps minimize risks.
1. Back Up Your Website Regularly
Before enabling automatic updates, ensure you have a backup system in place. A full backup includes your database, media files, themes, plugins, and WordPress core files.
Use plugins like UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, or Jetpack Backup.
Or leverage your hosting provider’s automated daily backups.
That way, if something goes wrong after an update, you can restore your site in minutes.
2. Use a Staging Environment
A staging site is a copy of your live website where you can test updates safely. Many premium hosts (like Hostinger, SiteGround, or WP Engine) offer staging environments.
Test major updates on staging first.
Verify plugins and themes still work properly.
Once stable, push updates to your live site.
3. Choose Reliable Hosting
Your hosting provider plays a crucial role. A quality host ensures updates run smoothly with minimal downtime. Look for:
Managed WordPress hosting with update management tools.
Automatic backups built into your hosting plan.
High uptime and security measures like firewalls and malware scans.
4. Monitor Site Performance After Updates
Even with automation, keep an eye on your site after updates. Use monitoring tools like UptimeRobot or Pingdom to track downtime and performance issues.
5. Set Update Preferences Wisely
Don’t blindly enable everything. Customize your update strategy:
Allow automatic security updates.
Selectively enable plugin and theme updates.
Manually review major core updates if you run a complex site.
Managing Automatic Updates Using the WordPress Dashboard
For most website owners, the WordPress dashboard is the easiest and most user-friendly way to control automatic updates. WordPress has made it simple to turn automatic updates on or off without touching code.
How to Enable or Disable Updates from the Dashboard:
Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
Next to each plugin, you’ll see an option labeled “Enable Auto-Updates” or “Disable Auto-Updates.”
For themes, go to Appearance > Themes. Open a theme’s details, and you’ll find the option to enable or disable automatic updates.
Benefits of Using the Dashboard:
Easy, no coding required.
Gives you per-plugin and per-theme control.
Great for beginners and small site owners.
Limitations:
Doesn’t allow advanced customization (like choosing which types of updates to allow).
Still requires you to log in and make manual changes to settings.
This option is best suited for beginners or small businesses running simple websites who just want a quick and easy way to keep things updated.
Managing Background Updates Using the wp-config.php File
For advanced control, you can configure automatic updates directly through the wp-config.php file, which is located in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
This method is particularly useful if you want to enforce specific update rules across your site.
Steps:
Access your WordPress site files via FTP or File Manager (through cPanel or hPanel).
Locate the wp-config.php file.
Add one of the following code snippets:
Enable all core updates (major + minor):
Enable only minor updates (default WordPress behavior):
Disable all core updates:
Why use wp-config.php?
Ensures update policies are enforced at the file level.
Helps developers or advanced users manage multiple sites consistently.
Offers tighter control than the dashboard.
⚠️ Caution: Editing wp-config.php incorrectly can break your site. Always make backups before making changes.
Managing Background Updates Using API Filters
For developers who need granular control, WordPress provides hooks and filters to customize how updates behave. This method is more technical but allows complete flexibility.
Commonly Used Filters:
Force plugin updates automatically:
Force theme updates automatically:
Force all core updates:
Disable all updates (not recommended for security reasons):
Benefits of Using API Filters:
Developers can target very specific update behaviors.
Allows you to create custom update rules based on site needs.
Useful for agencies managing multiple client sites with unique requirements.
Example Use Case:
If you want only minor core updates and plugin updates but not theme updates, you can configure filters accordingly.
Managing Automatic Updates Using Plugins
If you prefer a plug-and-play solution, several WordPress plugins give you more flexibility and control over automatic updates. These tools make it easier to configure update settings without editing code or diving into wp-config.php.
Popular Plugins for Managing Automatic Updates
Easy Updates Manager
One of the most comprehensive solutions.
Lets you enable or disable updates for core, plugins, themes, and translations.
Provides logging to track which updates were applied and when.
WP Auto Updater
Focuses on automating updates with a simple interface.
Great for users who want to set it up once and forget about it.
Companion Auto Update
Allows you to schedule updates.
Sends email notifications when updates are applied.
Includes advanced options like excluding certain plugins from automatic updates.
Jetpack (by Automattic)
Beyond performance and security, Jetpack includes features to manage plugin updates.
Useful if you’re already using Jetpack for other functionalities.
Why Use Plugins for Updates?
Easy for beginners.
Provides fine-grained control without coding.
Adds logging and reporting features missing from WordPress core.
Great for site owners who manage multiple websites.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Don’t install too many plugins just for updates—stick to one solid solution to avoid conflicts.
Set the Correct WordPress Automatic Update Settings via hPanel
If your site is hosted on Hostinger (or another host with hPanel), you can manage automatic updates directly through your hosting control panel. This is especially helpful if you prefer hosting-level management rather than tinkering inside WordPress.
Steps to Manage Updates in hPanel:
Log in to your Hostinger hPanel.
Go to the WordPress Dashboard section inside hPanel.
Look for WordPress Updates or Auto-Update Settings.
Configure your preferences:
Enable/disable automatic updates for the WordPress core.
Enable/disable plugin updates.
Choose whether to include theme updates.
Benefits of Using hPanel for Updates:
Hosting-level control ensures updates are applied safely.
Works even if your WordPress site has technical issues.
Backups and restore points are often integrated (Hostinger takes automatic daily backups).
Perfect for beginners who want to minimize risks.
Why It Matters:
By managing updates through hPanel, you don’t just rely on WordPress itself—you also benefit from the hosting provider’s server-side optimizations, backup systems, and monitoring tools.
This option is particularly useful for users who want peace of mind, knowing that their host handles updates with an added layer of security.
Conclusion
Keeping your WordPress website updated isn’t just about convenience—it’s about security, performance, and peace of mind. Hosting with automatic WordPress updates ensures that your site always benefits from the latest patches, new features, and compatibility improvements without requiring constant manual intervention.
We’ve seen that WordPress provides multiple ways to manage automatic updates:
Simple controls through the WordPress dashboard.
Advanced customization using the wp-config.php file or API filters.
Flexible, non-technical solutions with plugins.
Hosting-level automation using hPanel.
The right choice depends on your technical skills and the complexity of your website. Small business sites or blogs may rely on dashboard settings, while developers and agencies may prefer fine-grained control with filters or staging workflows.
No matter which method you choose, preparation is key. Always back up your site, monitor performance after updates, and test critical features to avoid downtime. By combining automation with smart practices, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the efficiency of auto-updates and the control of manual oversight when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are automatic WordPress updates safe?
Yes, they are generally safe. Automatic updates are designed to patch vulnerabilities quickly. However, always keep a backup system in place in case a plugin or theme conflicts with the update.
2. Can automatic updates break my site?
In rare cases, yes. A poorly coded plugin or incompatible theme may cause issues after an update. That’s why it’s best to use reliable plugins/themes, maintain backups, and test major updates on a staging site.
3. Should I enable automatic plugin and theme updates?
For most users, enabling automatic updates for plugins and themes is a smart move because it reduces security risks. But if your site uses custom or heavily modified themes/plugins, you may prefer manual updates.
4. What’s the difference between major and minor WordPress updates?
Minor updates: Focus on security patches, bug fixes, and small improvements. These are safe to enable automatically.
Major updates: Introduce new features and significant changes. It’s best to test these first, especially on complex or business-critical sites.
5. Can I control which updates are automatic?
Yes. You can use the WordPress dashboard, plugins, or code snippets in wp-config.php or API filters to fine-tune your update preferences. This allows you to choose exactly what gets updated automatically.
6. Do I still need backups if I enable automatic updates?
Absolutely. Backups act as your safety net. Even though updates are designed to be smooth, unexpected errors can happen. With a backup, you can restore your site in minutes.
7. Is it better to manage updates via WordPress or hPanel?
It depends. Managing updates within WordPress gives you flexibility and plugin-level control. Using hPanel (or your hosting control panel) provides hosting-level automation with integrated backups, which is safer for beginners.
8. What happens if I disable automatic updates completely?
If you turn off automatic updates, you’ll need to manually apply every core, plugin, and theme update. This increases your site’s risk of security breaches, especially if you forget or delay updates.
9. Do automatic updates affect website speed?
No, updates themselves don’t slow down your site. In fact, updates often improve performance by fixing bugs and optimizing code.
10. How do I know if an update was successful?
WordPress usually sends an email notification after completing an automatic update. You can also log into your dashboard and check the updates section to confirm.
