How to Force WordPress to Check for Plugin Updates

Recently, one of our readers asked us how to force WordPress to check for plugin updates.

WordPress automatically shows plugin updates when they are available. However, if you immediately need to update a plugin, then there are other ways to force updates in WordPress.

In this article, we will show you how to easily force WordPress to check for plugin updates.

Method 1: Using The Built-in WordPress Updates

If you just want WordPress to check if a plugin update is available, then this is the easiest way to do that.

Simply head over to the Dashboard » Updates page in your WordPress admin dashboard and then click on the ‘Check Again’ link.

WordPress will now reload the page and check all your WordPress plugins, themes, and core WordPress software for updates.

If there is an update available, then it will show you on the page and as a notification in the admin bar.

You can now go ahead and install the update. For more information, take a look at our article on how to properly update WordPress plugins.

Method 2: Managing WordPress Updates Using a Plugin

If you manage multiple WordPress websites, then keeping all your WordPress plugins up to date can be difficult. You will notice that there are updates available whenever you log in to one of your websites. You will also notice that some plugins are more frequently updated than others.

You can set some of these plugins to be automatically updated whenever there is a new version available.

First, you need to install and activate the Easy Updates Manager plugin. For more details, see our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, you need to visit Dashboard » Updates options page to set up the plugin.

In the General tab, scroll down to ‘Plugin updates’ and then click on ‘Choose per plugin’.

This will allow you to set automatic updates for specific WordPress plugins on your website.

Next, you need to switch to the ‘Plugins’ tab.

Here you can click on ‘Allowed’ to allow plugin updates and ‘On’ to turn on automatic updates below the plugins that you trust and want to be automatically updated.

To force automatic updates, you need to switch to the ‘Advanced’ tab and click on the ‘Force automatic updates’ option in the left column.

Next, select ‘Force updates’.

For more detailed instructions on updating WordPress plugins, please see our guide on how to better manage automatic WordPress updates.

We hope this article helped you learn how to force WordPress plugin updates. You may also want to see our ultimate step-by-step WordPress security guide for beginners or our expert picks for the best managed WordPress hosting providers.

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