TL;DR
- Plugin updates fail for a few reasons: a hiccup during the update, a bad release, an expired license, or an abandoned plugin. One failure now and then is normal.
- An expired license is a common cause. No license means no updates, and often no update notices either.
- “Lifetime” licenses can still run out. Some include only one year of updates.
- The fix is usually a renewal in your name. Then we apply the key and run the update.
Why Do Plugin Updates Fail?
- A hiccup during the update. Automatic updates, which come from the plugin’s developer when your site has them turned on, sometimes trip on one plugin. We prefer that you never turn them on. As Beth told one client, “One plugin had an issue updating, and it’s all fixed. That’s normal, so let’s see if it happens again at the next update.”
- A bad release from the developer. Sometimes an update ships with a missing download link or missing code.
- An expired license. Premium plugins only update while their license is active. When the license lapses, so do the updates.
- A plugin that’s been abandoned or pulled. If the developer stopped working on it, there’s no update to install. See What Happens When a WordPress Plugin or Theme Is Abandoned?
What Happens When an Expired License Blocks Updates?
- Updates stop, security fixes included. Some plugins also switch off their premium features.
- The notices stop. Beth explained to one client, “It looks like the auto-renewal was stopped, so we aren’t getting update notifications.”
- Other upgrades get stuck. An outdated plugin can block your server’s PHP upgrade. See Why Does My Website’s PHP Version Need Upgrading?
When we can’t update a premium plugin, we tell you which one and why, so you can decide whether to renew it.
How to Fix a Plugin That Won’t Update
- Renew or buy the license in your business’s name. As Beth told one client, “You have to log in and renew the subscription.”
- Send us the new license key, if required. That’s the code that unlocks updates.
- We apply it and run the update.
What Webmaster For Hire Recommends
- Buy licenses in your own name, with your own login. See Do Premium WordPress Plugins Need to Be Renewed Every Year?
- Don’t panic over one failed update. A repeat failure is the one to look into.
:: Common Questions ::
Is a “Lifetime” License Really Lifetime?
Not always. As Beth warned one client about a plugin, “They advertise a ‘Lifetime’ license, but read the fine print. It only includes one year of support and updates.”
Do I Need to Delete the Old Version After a Plugin Update?
An update replaces the old version, so there’s usually nothing to delete. The exception is when a previous developer renamed a plugin to turn it off and then installed the update. Then we delete the leftover duplicate.
Plugins Falling Behind?
See our WordPress Support Services, or request a consultation.
