Short answer
A previous update was interrupted and WordPress still holds the lock it sets while updating. It clears itself after about fifteen minutes; if you cannot wait, delete the
core_updater.lock row from the wp_options table in phpMyAdmin.Learn more
- Updating WordPress, themes and plugins safelyWhy updates matter, the safe order to update, how automatic updates work, and what to do if an update breaks your site.
- How to access and use phpMyAdminOpen phpMyAdmin from DirectAdmin, find your way around, browse and edit data safely, and run SQL queries.
- WordPress stuck on “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance”Why WordPress gets stuck in maintenance mode after an interrupted update, how to remove the .maintenance file, and how to check the update finished.
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