Should You Keep WordPress Auto Updates Enabled?

If you manage a WordPress site, you’ve probably wrestled with this question: should you keep WordPress auto updates enabled, or should you take control and update everything manually?

It’s a debate that divides the WordPress community. Some developers swear by automatic updates for security and convenience. Others treat auto-updates like a ticking time bomb that could break their site at 3am on a Sunday.

So which approach is right? Let’s break down the pros and cons of both strategies so you can make an informed decision for your website.

The Case for Automatic Updates

WordPress introduced automatic updates back in version 3.7, and for good reason. The platform powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, making it a prime target for hackers. When security vulnerabilities are discovered, attackers move fast – often exploiting sites within hours of a patch being released.

Automatic updates solve this problem by applying critical security fixes immediately. You don’t need to monitor WordPress news sites or remember to log into your dashboard. Your site stays protected even when you’re on vacation or focused on running your business.

For minor WordPress core updates (maintenance releases like 6.4.1 to 6.4.2), automatic updates are generally safe. These patches fix security issues and bugs without introducing major changes. The same logic applies to many plugin and theme updates – especially from reputable developers who test their code thoroughly.

Another benefit? Peace of mind. When you enable automatic updates for WordPress plugins, you eliminate the mental burden of tracking dozens of update notifications. Your site stays current without requiring constant attention.

The Risks of Going Full Auto-Pilot

Here’s where things get tricky. While automatic updates sound convenient, they can also cause serious problems.

The biggest risk is compatibility issues. WordPress plugins don’t always play nicely together, and a new update might conflict with your theme, another plugin or even your hosting environment. I’ve seen perfectly functional websites turn into white screens of death because an automatic plugin update broke something critical.

Custom-coded sites face even more risk. If your developer built custom functionality that relies on specific plugin versions or WordPress core features, an automatic update could disrupt that custom code. Suddenly your contact forms stop working, your checkout process breaks or your membership site locks everyone out.

Then there’s the timing issue. Automatic updates don’t care if you’re in the middle of a product launch, if your site is experiencing high traffic or if you’re asleep and can’t respond to problems. When considering whether WordPress plugins should be updated manually or automatically, timing control is a huge factor.

The Manual Update Approach

Taking the manual route means you control when and how updates happen. You can test updates on a staging site first, check for compatibility issues and schedule updates during low-traffic periods.

This approach makes sense if you:

• Run a high-traffic ecommerce site where downtime costs real money
• Have custom code or complex plugin configurations
• Manage client websites professionally
• Want to review changelog notes before applying updates
• Need to coordinate updates with your development team

Manual updates also let you be selective. Maybe you trust certain plugins enough to auto-update them, but you want to manually review updates for critical plugins like your page builder, SEO plugin or ecommerce platform.

Finding Your Balance

So when comparing WordPress auto vs manual plugin updates, what’s the right answer?

For most site owners, a hybrid approach makes the most sense. Here’s what I recommend:

Keep automatic updates enabled for:

• WordPress core minor releases (security patches)
• Plugins from established, reputable developers with good track records
• Sites with limited customization and standard setups
• Non-critical websites where brief downtime isn’t catastrophic

Switch to manual updates for:

• Major WordPress core updates (like 6.3 to 6.4)
• Mission-critical plugins that your site depends on (ie. your page builder)
• Any plugins that have previously caused conflicts
• Custom-developed themes or plugins
• High-traffic business sites where you need staging tests first

The key is understanding your site’s complexity and your own technical comfort level. A simple blog with a handful of trusted plugins? Automatic updates are probably fine. A sophisticated business site with custom functionality? Manual control gives you the safety net you need.

Even if your WordPress site is running on a top-tier tech stack, you will always need some level of manual maintenance if your site is mission-critical.

Don’t Forget Backups and Staging

Regardless of whether you choose automatic or manual updates, always maintain recent backups. Automated daily backups should always be in place. If an update does break something, you need a quick way to restore your site.

If possible, use a staging environment to test updates before applying them to your live site. Many hosts offer one-click staging setups that let you safely test updates in a clone of your production site.

The Bottom Line

Should you keep WordPress auto updates enabled? It depends on your specific situation. For sites with standard setups and trusted plugins, automatic updates provide critical security protection without the maintenance burden. For complex or business-critical sites, manual updates give you the control you need to prevent disaster.

Whatever you choose, don’t ignore updates entirely. An outdated WordPress site is a vulnerable WordPress site. Find the update strategy that gives you both security and peace of mind – then stick with it.

For further reading, click here to learn more about all the reasons why your WordPress site needs a routine maintenance plan.