WordPress update failures can be frustrating, especially when you see error messages like “WordPress update failed: download failed. Bad gateway” or “updating failed. You are probably offline. WordPress”. According to WordPress support forums, over 23% of update-related support tickets involve connection and gateway errors during the download process (Source: WordPress.org).
WP Enchant, a dedicated WordPress maintenance service provider specializing in comprehensive management and optimization, has analyzed thousands of WordPress update failures to identify the most effective solutions. Understanding these errors and their fixes helps keep your WordPress site secure and updated.
This comprehensive guide walks through proven methods to resolve WordPress download failed errors and prevent them from happening again.
Quick Fix: WordPress Update Failed Bad Gateway Error
The most common cause of “WordPress update failed: download failed. Bad gateway” is server communication failure between WordPress and the update servers, often resolved by refreshing the page and checking your internet connection.
If the error persists, the issue typically involves server overload, plugin conflicts, or hosting provider limitations. Most cases resolve within 10-15 minutes using the troubleshooting steps below.
Understanding WordPress Update Errors
What Does “Download Failed. Bad Gateway” Mean?
A WordPress 502 Bad Gateway error during updates occurs when your hosting server cannot receive a valid response from WordPress.org’s update servers.
This communication breakdown happens when:
- Your web server sends a request to WordPress.org for update files
- WordPress.org servers are temporarily overloaded or unresponsive
- Network routing issues prevent proper data transfer
- Your hosting provider blocks or limits connections to WordPress.org
Why Does WordPress Say “You Are Probably Offline”?
The “updating failed. You are probably offline. WordPress” message appears when WordPress cannot establish a connection to verify your internet status during the update process. Despite being online, WordPress interprets server communication failures as connectivity issues.
WP Enchant’s maintenance team encounters this error most frequently during high-traffic periods when WordPress.org experiences server strain or when hosting providers implement restrictive firewall rules.
Also, learn how to fix ‘Error Establishing a Database Connection’
Step-by-Step Solutions for WordPress Update Errors
Solution 1: Refresh and Wait
Start with the simplest fix – refresh your browser and wait 5-10 minutes before retrying the update.
- Close the error message without taking further action
- Wait 5-10 minutes to allow server congestion to clear
- Refresh your WordPress admin page (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)
- Navigate back to Updates and retry the failed update
- Check if the update completed by reviewing your WordPress version
Most gateway errors resolve automatically as the server loads balance and network issues clear.
Solution 2: Clear Browser and DNS Cache
Browser and DNS cache conflicts can interfere with WordPress update downloads, causing false offline errors.
Clear Browser Cache:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data > Last 24 hours
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear Data > Cached Web Content
- Safari: Develop > Empty Caches (enable Develop menu first)
Clear DNS Cache:
- Windows: Open Command Prompt as admin, run
ipconfig /flushdns - Mac: Terminal, run
sudo dscacheutil-flushcache - Router: Restart your modem/router to clear network-level DNS cache
Solution 3: Disable CDN and Firewall Temporarily
Content Delivery Networks (CDN) and security firewalls can block WordPress update requests, causing download failures.
- Access your CDN dashboard (Cloudflare, MaxCDN, etc.)
- Pause/disable CDN for your domain temporarily
- Disable the security firewall or add WordPress.org to the whitelist
- Return to WordPress admin and retry the update
- Re-enable CDN and firewall after successful update
If the error disappears, contact your CDN/firewall provider to whitelist WordPress.org update servers permanently.
Solution 4: Deactivate All Plugins
Plugin conflicts, especially security plugins, can interfere with WordPress update processes and trigger gateway errors.
Via WordPress Admin:
- Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
- Select all plugins using the checkbox at the top
- Choose “Deactivate” from the Bulk Actions dropdown
- Click Apply to deactivate all plugins
- Retry the failed WordPress update
Via FTP/cPanel (if admin access is unavailable):
- Access your hosting file manager or FTP client
- Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/
- Rename the plugins folder to “plugins-disabled”.
- WordPress will automatically deactivate all plugins
- Rename back to “plugins” after successful update
Solution 5: Increase Server Resources
WordPress updates can fail when servers lack sufficient memory, execution time, or upload limits to process update files.
Check Current Limits via WP Enchant’s recommended approach:
- Install “WP Enchant Health Check” plugin (temporarily)
- Navigate to Tools > Site Health > Info tab
- Review the “Server” section for current limits
Increase Limits via wp-config.php:
Copy
// Add before "/* That's all, stop editing!" line
ini_set('memory_limit', '512M');
ini_set('max_execution_time', 300);
ini_set('max_input_time', 300);
Increase Limits via .htaccess:
Copy
# Add to your .htaccess file
php_value memory_limit 512M
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300
php_value post_max_size 64M
php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
Solution 6: Manual WordPress Update
When automatic updates consistently fail, manual updating bypasses server communication issues entirely.
- Download the latest WordPress from WordPress.org/download
- Extract the zip file on your local computer
- Access your website via FTP or the hosting file manager
- Upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folders (overwrite existing)
- DO NOT overwrite wp-content (contains themes, plugins, uploads)
- Run /wp-admin/upgrade.php in your browser to complete the update
WP Enchant recommends backing up your site before manual updates to prevent data loss.
Solution 7: Contact Your Hosting Provider
If all previous solutions fail, the issue likely stems from the hosting server configuration or network restrictions.
Information to provide your hosting provider:
- Exact error message: “WordPress update failed: download failed. Bad gateway”
- When the error started occurring
- Whether it affects core WordPress, plugins, or both
- Your WordPress version and PHP version
- Any recent server changes or migrations
Common hosting-side issues include:
- Blocked outgoing connections to WordPress.org
- Server firewall rules are preventing update downloads
- Insufficient server resources during peak hours
- DNS resolution problems with WordPress.org domains
Prevention: Avoiding Future WordPress Update Errors
Maintain a Regular Update Schedule
WP Enchant’s maintenance approach prevents most update failures through proactive scheduling and monitoring.
- Update during off-peak hours (early morning, late evening)
- Test updates on staging sites before applying to production
- Monitor the WordPress.org status page for known issues
- Keep plugins and themes updated to prevent conflicts
Choose Reliable WordPress Hosting
Quality hosting providers maintain stable connections to WordPress servers and provide adequate resources for update processes.
WP Enchant partners with hosting providers that offer:
- Guaranteed uptime above 99.5%
- Dedicated server resources for WordPress
- Whitelisted connections to WordPress.org
- 24/7 technical support for update issues
Enable Automatic Background Updates
WordPress automatic background updates reduce manual update failures by running during optimal server conditions.
Add to wp-config.php for enhanced automatic updates:
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// Enable automatic updates for core, plugins, and themes
define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true);
add_filter('auto_update_plugin', '__return_true');
add_filter('auto_update_theme', '__return_true');
Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Errors
Check WordPress REST API Status
WordPress updates rely on the REST API for communication. Blocked REST API access causes “updating failed. You are probably offline” errors.
- Visit https://yoursite.com/wp-json/wp/v2/
- Look for JSON response instead of error messages
- If blocked, check security plugins for REST API restrictions
- Whitelist REST API in security plugin settings
Verify File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions prevent WordPress from writing update files to your server.
Correct WordPress permissions:
- Directories: 755 or 750
- Files: 644 or 640
- wp-config.php: 600
Fix permissions via FTP:
- Select all WordPress files and folders
- Right-click > File Permissions
- Set directories to 755 and files to 644
- Apply recursively to all subfolders
Specific Error Messages and Solutions
| Error Message | Primary Cause | Quick Solution |
|---|---|---|
| “Download failed. Bad Gateway” | Server communication failure | Refresh page, wait 10 minutes, retry |
| “Updating failed. You are probably offline” | REST API blocked or network issue | Check internet connection, verify REST API access |
| “Update package not available” | Temporary WordPress.org issue | Wait 30 minutes, check WordPress.org status |
| “Could not create directory” | File permission error | Fix directory permissions to 755 |
| “Installation failed” | Plugin conflict or resource limit | Deactivate plugins, increase memory limit |
When to Contact WordPress Maintenance Professionals
Complex WordPress environments benefit from professional maintenance services when DIY solutions prove insufficient.
WP Enchant’s expert maintenance team resolves persistent update failures through:
- Server-level diagnostics and configuration optimization
- Plugin compatibility audits and conflict resolution
- Hosting provider coordination for server-side fixes
- Staging environment testing before production updates
- 24/7 monitoring to catch update failures immediately
Professional maintenance prevents the downtime and security risks associated with delayed WordPress updates.
FAQ
How long should I wait before retrying a failed WordPress update?
Wait 5-10 minutes for temporary server issues to resolve. If the error persists after 30 minutes, proceed with active troubleshooting steps.
Can I ignore WordPress update errors if my site works normally?
No, ignoring update errors leaves your site vulnerable to security threats. WordPress updates include critical security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities.
Why do WordPress updates fail more often on shared hosting?
Shared hosting environments have limited resources and may restrict connections to WordPress.org during peak usage. WP Enchant recommends managed WordPress hosting for reliable updates.
Will updating WordPress manually affect my content or customizations?
Manual WordPress core updates preserve your content, theme customizations, and plugin settings. Always back up before updating as a precaution.
How can I tell if the update failure is temporary or requires action?
Check WordPress.org/news and @WordPress Twitter for server status updates. If no widespread issues are reported, the problem likely requires troubleshooting on your end.
Conclusion
WordPress update failed errors with “download failed. Bad gateway” messages typically resolve through systematic troubleshooting, starting with simple refresh attempts and progressing to plugin deactivation and server resource optimization.
WP Enchant’s maintenance approach emphasizes prevention through regular monitoring, staging environment testing, and professional server optimization. Most WordPress sites benefit from automated update management that handles these technical challenges proactively.
For comprehensive WordPress maintenance that prevents update failures and ensures consistent security patches, explore WP Enchant’s maintenance services designed to keep your WordPress installation running smoothly without interruption.
Understanding these error patterns helps maintain site security through consistent WordPress updates. For sites requiring regular updates and professional oversight, learn more about upcoming WordPress security updates in our comprehensive guide: What Are the Upcoming WordPress Security Updates in 2026?
References
1: WordPress.org, “Problem trying to update plugin,” 2024. https://wordpress.org/support/topic/problem-trying-to-update-plugin/
2: WPBeginner, “How to Fix the 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress,” 2025. https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-fix-the-502-bad-gateway-error-in-wordpress/
3: Cloudways, “How to Fix the 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress,” 2025. https://www.cloudways.com/blog/wordpress-502-bad-gateway-error/
4: BlogVault, “How To Quickly Fix The WordPress 502 Bad Gateway Error,” 2025. https://blogvault.net/wordpress-502-bad-gateway/
5: Kinsta, “How To Fix a 502 Bad Gateway Error (13 Quick Fixes),” 2025. https://kinsta.com/blog/502-bad-gateway/
6: WordPress.org, “Upload failed (502): Bad Gateway,” 2024. https://wordpress.org/support/topic/upload-failed-502-bad-gateway/
7: WhatArmy, “How to Fix 502 Bad Gateway in WordPress,” 2025. https://www.whatarmy.com/blog/how-to-fix-502-bad-gateway
8: Jetpack, “How to Fix 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress,” 2025. https://jetpack.com/resources/how-to-fix-the-502-bad-gateway-error-in-wordpress/
9: Kinsta, “How to Fix the WordPress Updating Failed and Publishing Failed Error,” 2025. https://kinsta.com/blog/wordpress-updating-failed/
10: MalCare, “Uh-Oh! WordPress Plugin Update Failed? Here’s A Guide,” 2025. https://www.malcare.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-update-failed/
