How to Fix the Error ‘Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance’ in WordPress

The error ‘Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance, check back in a minute’ might appear after updating your WordPress software, theme, or plugins.

Usually, this file gets automatically deleted after the update is done. In some cases (compatibility issues, interrupted update, low memory), that may not happen and cause the error to be stuck on your WordPress website.

How to fix “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” – Video Tutorial

How to fix “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance”

To fix this, go to your SiteGround Client Area > Websites > Site Tools next to the desired website. Then, go to Site > File Manager > public_html file. Then search for the .maintenance file.

Right-click on the file and select Delete > Confirm. Refresh your WordPress website where the error should not appear anymore.

If the problem persists, do the following:

1. Wait for a Few Minutes:
   • Initially, wait for a few minutes. This message should disappear on its own once the updates are completed. If it persists for more than 10-15 minutes, then you should take further action.
2. Check for Failed Updates:
   • After removing the .maintenance file, log in to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Check if all updates were successfully completed. If any updates have failed, try updating again.
3. Clear Browser Cache:
   • Sometimes, your browser might cache the maintenance page. Clear your browser cache and refresh your website.
4. Check File Permissions:
   • Ensure that file permissions for WordPress files and directories are correctly set. Incorrect file permissions can cause issues with updates. The recommended permissions are 755 for directories and 644 for files.
5. Restore from Backup:
   • If you cannot resolve the issue and your site is still not functioning correctly, restore your website from a backup. It’s always a good practice to back up your site before performing updates.
6. Seek Professional Help:
   • If you’re not comfortable performing these steps, or if the problem persists, consider seeking help from a WordPress professional or your hosting provider’s support team.

Remember, this maintenance mode is a normal part of the WordPress update process and usually resolves itself quickly. Manual intervention is only needed if the message stays for an unusually long time.