If you’ve been working with WordPress for a while, you’ve probably come across the “Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance” message at some point. It’s a frustrating situation, especially when you’re in the middle of making changes or updates to your site, and suddenly, it gets stuck in maintenance mode. Don’t worry though! This guide will walk you through how to fix the issue using FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What causes the “Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance” error.
- How to fix it using FTP.
- How to prevent this error from happening in the future.
- Common troubleshooting steps and additional tips.
By the end, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to resolve this error quickly and get your website back online. Let’s dive in!
What is the “Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance” Error?
When WordPress is updating plugins, themes, or the core software, it temporarily puts your site in maintenance mode to ensure everything runs smoothly. This is signaled by a .maintenance file that WordPress automatically creates in the root directory of your website.
Usually, this process is quick. Once the updates are complete, WordPress removes the .maintenance file, and your site returns to normal. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and the site gets stuck in maintenance mode. When that happens, you see this message:
“Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.”
This is usually harmless, but if the .maintenance file isn’t automatically deleted after the updates, your site will remain in this limbo state, making it inaccessible to users.
Why Does This Error Happen?
Several reasons can cause your website to get stuck in maintenance mode:
- Interruption during updates: If you close the browser window or your internet connection drops while WordPress is updating, the process may not complete properly.
- Server timeout: Sometimes, if your server is slow or has low resources, the update process might get interrupted.
- Large or incompatible updates: Updating a large plugin or theme, or one that’s incompatible with your current version of WordPress, can cause issues.
- Concurrent updates: Running multiple updates at the same time can overload the system and trigger the maintenance mode error.
Now that we know why it happens, let’s look at how to fix it.
Step-by-Step Guide: Fixing the “Website Under Maintenance” Error Using FTP
If your WordPress site is stuck in maintenance mode, you can quickly resolve this using FTP by deleting the .maintenance file manually. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Set Up an FTP Client
To access your website’s files, you’ll need an FTP client. The most commonly used ones are:
- FileZilla (Free) – Download FileZilla
- Cyberduck (Free) – Download Cyberduck
Once you’ve installed the FTP client, you’ll need to log in to your server. You can usually find your FTP credentials in your hosting account, but they will typically consist of:
- Host: Your website’s domain name (e.g., yourwebsite.com) or the server’s IP address.
- Username: Your FTP username.
- Password: Your FTP password.
- Port: Typically, this will be 21 for FTP, or 22 if using SFTP.
Step 2: Log in to Your Website via FTP
After you’ve set up your FTP client, follow these steps to connect to your website:
- Open your FTP client and enter your credentials.
- Once connected, you’ll see your website’s files listed in the FTP client’s interface.
Step 3: Navigate to Your Root Directory
Now that you’re connected to your server:
- Look for your website’s root directory. It is usually called public_html or named after your website’s domain.
- Once inside the root directory, look for the .maintenance file.
The .maintenance file is usually hidden, so if you don’t see it, make sure to enable viewing of hidden files in your FTP client. In FileZilla, you can do this by clicking on Server > Force showing hidden files.

Step 4: Delete the .maintenance File
Once you locate the .maintenance file:
- Right-click on the .maintenance file and choose Delete.
- Confirm the deletion.
After deleting the file, refresh your website, and it should be back online.
Step 5: Clear Your Browser Cache (Optional)
Sometimes your browser might cache the “Under Maintenance” page, even after the issue is resolved. If your site still shows the maintenance mode message after removing the .maintenance file, try clearing your browser cache or checking your site in an incognito window.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If your website is still down or displaying other errors, there might be additional issues that need your attention. Here are a few other troubleshooting steps to try:
1. Check the wp-config.php File for Errors
The wp-config.php file controls many aspects of your WordPress installation. If there’s an issue here, it could cause problems with how your site behaves, including during updates.
To check for errors in the wp-config.php file:
- Open the wp-config.php file using your FTP client.
- Look for any syntax errors, such as missing semicolons or brackets.
- Ensure there’s nothing out of place that could be preventing WordPress from exiting maintenance mode.
2. Reinstall WordPress Core Files
If there was an issue during a WordPress core update, you might need to reinstall WordPress manually. Here’s how:
- Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org.
- Extract the WordPress files on your local computer.
- Using FTP, upload the new wp-admin and wp-includes folders from the extracted files to your server. Be careful not to overwrite the wp-content folder, as this contains your themes and plugins.
3. Check Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Sometimes, the problem may arise from a conflict between plugins or themes. If your site is still showing issues after clearing the .maintenance file, try the following steps:
- Disable all plugins: You can do this via FTP by renaming the plugins folder to plugins_old. This will disable all active plugins.
- Check your website: If the site comes back online, the issue likely lies with one of your plugins. Rename the folder back to plugins and activate each plugin one by one to find the culprit.
- Switch to a default theme: If disabling plugins didn’t solve the issue, try switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Three) by renaming your active theme’s folder in the wp-content/themes directory.
How to Prevent the Maintenance Mode Error in the Future
Getting stuck in maintenance mode is a hassle, but there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of it happening again:
1. Always Backup Your Website
Before performing any updates, whether it’s a plugin, theme, or core update, always backup your website. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration to easily backup your site.
2. Perform Updates One at a Time
Updating multiple plugins, themes, or WordPress itself simultaneously can cause conflicts and overload the system, resulting in maintenance mode errors. Always update items one at a time and test your site between updates.
3. Use a Staging Site
Before making major updates, consider setting up a staging site where you can test the updates without affecting your live site. Most managed WordPress hosting providers offer this feature.
4. Check Plugin and Theme Compatibility
Before updating plugins and themes, check to make sure they’re compatible with your version of WordPress. You can do this by reading the changelog or visiting the plugin/theme page on WordPress.org.
5. Increase Server Resources
If you frequently encounter server timeouts or low memory errors during updates, consider upgrading your hosting plan or increasing your PHP memory limit. You can do this by editing your wp-config.php file or contacting your hosting provider for assistance.
Conclusion
The “Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance” error in WordPress can be frustrating, but fixing it is relatively simple, especially when using FTP to delete the .maintenance file. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to quickly resolve the issue and get your website back online.
Key takeaways:
- Always backup your site before making updates.
- Use FTP to access and delete the .maintenance file.
- Troubleshoot any plugin or theme conflicts if necessary.
- Perform updates carefully and one at a time.
By staying proactive and following these steps, you can minimize downtime and prevent future maintenance mode errors. Your WordPress site will be running smoothly in no time!
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to share it with fellow WordPress users who might encounter the same issue.