How to Enable Maintenance Mode in WordPress

When you need to make updates to your WordPress website, it's a good idea to put it into maintenance mode to let your visitors know that the site is temporarily unavailable. This can help prevent any confusion or frustration for users who may stumble upon your site during the update process. In this article, we'll show you how to easily enable maintenance mode in WordPress.

Using a Plugin to Enable Maintenance Mode

One of the easiest ways to enable maintenance mode in WordPress is by using a plugin. There are several maintenance mode plugins available that allow you to quickly put your site into maintenance mode with just a few clicks. One popular plugin for this purpose is the "WP Maintenance Mode" plugin.

1. First, log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to the "Plugins" section and click on "Add New".
3. In the search bar, type in "WP Maintenance Mode" and hit enter.
4. Click on the "Install Now" button next to the plugin, and then activate it.
5. Once the plugin is activated, go to the "WP Maintenance Mode" settings.
6. Enable maintenance mode and customize the message that will be displayed to users during the maintenance period.

Using the Built-in Maintenance Mode Feature

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can also enable maintenance mode in WordPress using the built-in feature. This method involves adding a few lines of code to your site's functions.php file.

1. Access your WordPress site via FTP or the File Manager in your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to the wp-content folder and locate the themes folder.
3. Find and edit the functions.php file for your active theme.
4. Add the following code snippet at the end of the file:

function custom_maintenance_mode() {
  if ( !current_user_can( 'edit_themes' ) || !is_user_logged_in() ) {
    wp_die('Under Maintenance – Check back soon!');
  }
}
add_action('get_header', 'custom_maintenance_mode');

Save the changes to the functions.php file, and your site will now be in maintenance mode for all non-logged-in users.

Customizing Maintenance Mode Page

Whether you use a plugin or the built-in feature to enable maintenance mode, you can customize the maintenance page to match your site's branding. This can be done by adding custom CSS styles or by creating a custom maintenance page template.

By following these steps, you can easily put your WordPress site into maintenance mode whenever you need to make updates or perform maintenance tasks. Remember to disable maintenance mode once you're done with the updates to restore normal access to your website.

Conclusion

Maintenance mode is a useful feature in WordPress that allows you to temporarily take your site offline for updates without causing any inconvenience to your visitors. Whether you choose to use a plugin or the built-in feature, enabling maintenance mode is a simple process that can help you keep your site running smoothly. Follow the steps outlined in this article to enable maintenance mode on your WordPress site and ensure a seamless update experience for your users.