How to set up auto-updates for WordPress plugins July 26, 2024

How to Enable Auto-Updates for Plugins in WordPress?

When developers release new versions of plugins, older versions habitually have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Updating your plugins on time eliminates these security risks. If you delay updates, your site becomes more prone to hacking and malware infections.

To streamline this process, consider enabling auto-updates for your plugins. With auto-updates, you no longer require manual update plugins each and every time the latest version is released.

Are Auto-Updates Completely Safe?

Auto-updates are usually reliable, but sometimes changes in a plugin’s code can cause problems and affect how your site works, Although this does not happen regularly, it is crucial to keep a recent backup so you can easily restore your site if required.

Can I Automate Updates for All Plugins?

You can enable auto-updates for plugins installed from the WordPress repository. However, many third-party plugins don’t offer an auto-update feature and will need to be updated manually.

This guide will show you how to set up auto-updates for your WordPress plugins.

1. Log into your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
   
3. Enable Auto-Updates in Bulk:
   1. From the “Bulk Actions” dropdown menu, select “Enable Auto-updates.”
      
   2. To apply auto-updates to all plugins, check the box at the top of the plugin list and click Apply.
      
4. Enable Auto-Updates for Specific Plugins:
   1. Scroll through your plugins list, select the checkboxes for the plugins you want to auto-update, and click Apply.
      
5. Review Plugins Without Auto-Update Options:
   1. Click on the Auto-updates disabled link above the Bulk Actions menu to view plugins that can’t be auto-updated.
   2. This list includes plugins you’ve chosen not to auto-update and those, like third-party plugins, that require manual updates.

Optimising Performance by Managing Plugins

In addition to setting up auto-updates, you can enhance your WordPress website’s performance by deactivating unnecessary plugins. Disabling unused plugins reduces resource consumption, improving your site’s speed and overall performance.

With this guide, you can easily automate plugin updates and maintain a secure and optimised WordPress site.