Overview
When you update plugins, themes, or WordPress core, your site briefly shows a Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance message; WordPress normally removes it automatically, but a failed or conflicting update can leave it stuck. This article explains how to clear a stuck maintenance message — by deleting the .maintenance file in your website directory — and how to use a customized maintenance page instead.
Background
When you update your plugins, themes, or core WordPress files, your WordPress site displays the following message:
Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.
WordPress automatically removes that message once the updates are complete. However, in some cases, conflicts or errors leave the message active on the site, even after the updates are completed.
How do I manage the maintenance message?
The following sections show you how to manage the maintenance message on your WordPress site.
Removing the WordPress scheduled maintenance message
If the scheduled maintenance message remains active on your site, use the following instructions to remove it:
- See this article for instructions on how to log in to your web server. You can use the file manager in the panel or a third-party client to log in.
- Once logged in, navigate to your website directory where your files are located.
- In this directory, look for a file named .maintenance and delete it.
- Once you delete the file, make sure to clear any caches on your site and then refresh your browser. The message should no longer appear on your site.
Using a customized site maintenance page
This article explains how to use a customized site maintenance page in an .htaccess file.