Managing WordPress Core Automatic Updates

We strongly recommend keeping WordPress automatic updates enabled wherever possible.

Automatic updates help keep your website secure by applying important security and maintenance releases as soon as they become available. This helps protect your site from known vulnerabilities and reduces the risk of running outdated WordPress software.

However, there may be times when you want more control over WordPress core updates. For example, you may want to test plugin or theme compatibility before allowing WordPress to update to a new major version.

You can control WordPress core automatic updates by editing your site’s wp-config.php file.

Before You Start

We recommend taking a backup of your website before making any changes.

Edit the wp-config.php File

Locate your website files. We'd recommend doing this via your hosting package's File Manager.

Open the wp-config.php file for editing and locate the following comment line:

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */

Above that line, add one of the following:

Option 1: Allow Minor Updates Only

This is the recommended option if you want to prevent major WordPress updates, while still allowing security and maintenance updates.

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', 'minor' );

This allows WordPress to automatically install minor updates, such as security and maintenance releases, but prevents automatic major version updates.

Option 2: Disable All WordPress Core Automatic Updates

Use this option if you want to manage all WordPress core updates manually.

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );

This disables automatic updates for WordPress core completely.

Option 3: Enable All WordPress Core Automatic Updates

Use this option if you want WordPress to automatically install both major and minor core updates.

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true );

Example

Your wp-config.php file should look similar to this:

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', 'minor' );

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */

Important

These settings only control automatic updates for WordPress core. They do not control plugin or theme automatic updates.

If you disable major or all core automatic updates, you’ll need to manually update WordPress when you’re ready. We recommend keeping WordPress up to date to help maintain your website’s security and compatibility.