Introduction
Sometimes after updating WordPress, a plugin or a theme, your website may display the message:
Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.
Normally this message disappears automatically once the update has completed.
However, if the update process is interrupted, the website can become stuck in maintenance mode.
This guide explains how to resolve the issue.
Why This Happens
When WordPress performs updates, it creates a temporary file called:
.maintenanceThis file tells visitors that maintenance is in progress.
If the update process does not complete successfully, the file may not be removed automatically.
As a result, the website remains stuck in maintenance mode.
Step 1 – Verify the Website Is Stuck in Maintenance Mode
Visit your website.
If you see a message similar to:
Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.
then the website is likely stuck in maintenance mode.
Step 2 – Log Into DirectAdmin
Open your browser and visit:
(Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Step 3 – Open File Manager
Click: System Info & Files
Then click: File Manager
Step 4 – Open the Website Root Folder
Navigate to: domains
Then open: yourdomain.co.za
Then open: public_html
Step 5 – Locate the Maintenance File
Locate: .maintenance
This file may be hidden.
If you do not see it, enable the option to display hidden files.
Step 6 – Delete the Maintenance File
Select: .maintenance
Click: Delete
Confirm the deletion.
Step 7 – Test the Website
Visit your website again.
Refresh the page.
The maintenance message should no longer appear.
Step 8 – Verify Updates Completed Successfully
Log into WordPress.
Open your browser and visit: https://yourdomain.co.za/wp-admin
Enter your WordPress username and password.
Click: Log In
Review:
- WordPress updates
- Plugin updates
- Theme updates
Ensure the update process completed successfully.
Common Causes
Browser Closed During Update
Closing the browser during an update can interrupt the process.
Connection Lost During Update
Internet connection interruptions may prevent WordPress from completing the update.
Plugin Update Failure
Some plugin updates may fail and leave WordPress in maintenance mode.
Server Resource Problems
In rare cases, server resource limitations may interrupt update processes.
Best Practices
When performing updates:
- Create a backup first.
- Update plugins individually where possible.
- Avoid closing the browser during updates.
- Wait for updates to complete fully.
- Test the website after updates.
When to Contact Support
Contact support if:
- The website remains unavailable after removing the
.maintenancefile. - WordPress displays additional errors.
- Multiple websites are affected.
- Updates repeatedly fail.
Provide details of any updates that were being performed when the issue occurred.
Conclusion
A WordPress website stuck in maintenance mode is usually caused by an incomplete update.
Removing the .maintenance file normally resolves the problem quickly and allows the website to function normally again.
