The maintenance mode in WordPress is an essential feature that website owners frequently use to carry out temporary tasks without disrupting visitors. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to enable, customise, and troubleshoot the WordPress maintenance mode.

What Is the WordPress Maintenance Mode?

The WordPress maintenance mode is a feature that prevents visitors from accessing your website while technical updates or changes are being implemented. Instead, a maintenance page is displayed. This is particularly useful during plugin and theme updates or when making significant design changes.

How to Enable Maintenance Mode in WordPress

Automatic Activation by WordPress

WordPress automatically activates maintenance mode when performing core, plugin, or theme updates. During this process, a temporary .maintenance file is created in your site’s root directory. Once the updates are completed, this file is usually removed automatically.

Manual Activation Using Plugins

There are numerous plugins available that allow you to customise and enable maintenance mode:

  1. WP Maintenance Mode & Coming Soon
    This plugin lets you create custom maintenance pages with logos, texts, and call-to-action buttons.
  2. SeedProd
    Provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for designing attractive maintenance pages. Ideal for beginners and professionals alike.

Manual Activation Without Plugins

You can also customise the maintenance mode using code. Add the following code snippet to your theme’s functions.php file:

function enable_maintenance_mode() {
    if ( !current_user_can( 'edit_themes' ) || !is_user_logged_in() ) {
        wp_die('Our website is currently undergoing maintenance. Please check back later.');
    }
}
add_action('get_header', 'enable_maintenance_mode');

How to Create a Custom Maintenance Page

A custom maintenance page allows you to inform visitors about your website’s status while reinforcing your brand message.

Customisation with a Plugin

The easiest way to create a customised page is to use the Maintenance plugin and, for online shops, please also use the Maintenance mode for WooCommerce plugin. These allow you to create appealing designs without any programming knowledge, even in the free version.

Customisation with Code

To create your own maintenance page:

  1. Create a file named maintenance.php.
  2. Upload the file to your theme directory.
  3. Add the following code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title>Maintenance Mode</title>
    <style>
        body { text-align: center; padding: 50px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #f4f4f4; }
        h1 { font-size: 50px; }
        p { font-size: 20px; color: #555; }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Maintenance Mode</h1>
    <p>We are updating our website. Please check back later.</p>
</body>
</html>
  1. Link this page through your .htaccess file or via a redirection rule.

Common Issues and Their Solutions

Maintenance Mode Stays Active

Sometimes, the .maintenance file remains in place even after updates are complete. To resolve this issue:

  1. Connect to your website via FTP.
  2. Locate the .maintenance file in the root directory.
  3. Delete the file manually.

“Stuck in Maintenance Mode” Error

This error often occurs when an update is interrupted. Follow these steps:

  • Delete the .maintenance file.
  • Verify that all plugins and themes are updated correctly.
  • Re-run the updates if necessary.

Diagram: Workflow of WordPress Maintenance Mode

graph TD
    A[Enable Maintenance Mode] --> B{Automatic Activation}
    A --> C{Manual Activation}
    B --> D[Start WordPress Updates]
    C --> E[Use a Plugin]
    C --> F[Add Code]
    E --> G[Custom Maintenance Page]

SEO Tips for Maintenance Pages

  1. Use Status Code 503
    Ensure the maintenance page is delivered with HTTP status code 503 (“Service Temporarily Unavailable”). This signals to search engines that the page is temporarily inaccessible.
  2. Add Meta Information
    Include meta descriptions and titles to clearly communicate the situation to visitors and search engines.
  3. User-Friendly Content
    Inform visitors about the expected duration of maintenance and provide alternative contact options.

Conclusion

Maintenance mode is an indispensable tool for every WordPress site owner. By following the above methods and tips, you can ensure that your website remains professional and user-friendly during maintenance work. Use this opportunity to strengthen your brand and build trust with your visitors.

Image credits:
Photo courtesy of Gratisography