Briefly Unavailable

How to Fix “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” Error in WordPress

If you’re a WordPress website owner, you might have come across the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error message at some point. This error can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with the technical side of things. However, it’s a common error that can be easily fixed with a few simple steps.

In this post, we’ll discuss what causes the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error in WordPress and how to fix it.

What Causes the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” Error in WordPress?

The “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error message usually appears when WordPress is updating its core software, themes, or plugins. During this process, WordPress puts your website into maintenance mode to ensure that the update is installed correctly.

However, sometimes the update process can get interrupted or fail to complete, leaving your website stuck in maintenance mode. When this happens, the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error message is displayed.

How to Fix the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” Error in WordPress

Fortunately, fixing the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error is a simple process. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Wait for a Few Minutes

If your website is stuck in maintenance mode, the first thing you should do is wait for a few minutes. WordPress usually takes a few minutes to complete the update process, so it’s possible that your website will become available again after a few minutes.

Step 2: Check Your Website Again

After waiting for a few minutes, check your website again. If it’s still showing the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error message, move on to the next step.

Step 3: Delete the .maintenance File

The .maintenance file is a temporary file that WordPress creates during the update process. Sometimes, this file doesn’t get deleted after the update is completed, which can cause the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error.

To fix this error, you need to connect to your website using an FTP client or the File Manager in your web hosting control panel. Once you’re connected, navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation (the folder that contains the wp-admin and wp-includes folders).

In this directory, you should see a file called .maintenance. Delete this file and refresh your website. Your website should now be back online.

Step 4: Clear Your Browser Cache

If your website is still showing the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error message, it’s possible that your browser is caching the error page. To fix this, clear your browser cache and try accessing your website again.

Step 5: Disable Maintenance Mode Manually

If none of the above steps work, you can disable maintenance mode manually by adding the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_MAINTENANCE_MODE', false );

Save the file and refresh your website. Your website should now be back online.

Conclusion

The “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error message can be a frustrating experience for WordPress website owners. However, it’s a common error that can be easily fixed by following the steps we’ve outlined in this post.

Remember, if you’re not comfortable making these changes yourself, you can always reach out to a professional WordPress developer or your web hosting support team

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Tanvir Hassan
Tanvir Hassan

I'm Tanvir Hassan, a professional WordPress web developer. I have a keen interest in web development and specialize in creating WordPress websites. I regularly write blog posts related to WordPress related topics.

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