This Is What You Need To Do When WordPress Update Download Fails Due to SSL Certificate Issues
As a WordPress website owner, you know how important it is to keep your site up-to-date with the latest version of the platform. Regularly updating WordPress, along with your plugins and themes, is critical for maintaining security, stability, and access to the latest features.
However, sometimes the update process can hit a snag, especially when it comes to downloading the latest WordPress core files. One of the common issues WordPress users face is the "WordPress Update Download Failed" error, often caused by SSL certificate verification problems.
In this article, we'll dive into the reasons behind this issue and provide you with a simple solution to get your WordPress site back on track with painless updates.
Understanding the WordPress Update Download Failed Error
The "WordPress Update Download Failed" error typically occurs when WordPress is unable to securely connect to the WordPress.org servers to download the latest version of the platform. This is often due to issues with the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate verification process.
SSL certificates are used to establish a secure, encrypted connection between your website and the server hosting the WordPress files. During the update process, WordPress needs to verify the SSL certificate to ensure the integrity and security of the download.
However, there are a few reasons why this SSL certificate verification might fail, leading to the update download failure:
-
Outdated SSL/TLS protocols: If your web server is using outdated SSL or TLS protocols, it may not be compatible with the latest security standards used by the WordPress.org servers.
-
Misconfigured SSL settings: Your website's SSL settings may be incorrectly configured, preventing the proper verification of the SSL certificate.
-
Expired or revoked SSL certificate: If the SSL certificate on your web server has expired or been revoked, WordPress will be unable to verify the connection, causing the update download to fail.
-
Interference from security plugins or firewalls: Some security plugins or firewalls may inadvertently block the SSL certificate verification process, leading to the update failure.
Regardless of the root cause, the result is the same: the WordPress update download fails, leaving your site stuck on an outdated version of the platform.
Resolving the WordPress Update Download Failed Error
Fortunately, there's a simple solution that can help you overcome the SSL certificate-related WordPress update download failure. By modifying your theme's functions.php
file, you can bypass the SSL certificate verification process and successfully complete the update.
Here's how you can do it:
-
Access your website's WordPress dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
-
Navigate to the Appearance > Editor section: This will allow you to edit the theme files for your website.
-
Locate the functions.php
file: This is the main file responsible for defining the custom functions and modifications for your WordPress theme.
-
Add the following code to the functions.php
file:
add_action('http_request_args', 'jkudish_http_request_args', 10, 2);
function jkudish_http_request_args($args, $url) {
$args['sslverify'] = false;
return $args;
}
This code snippet adds a custom function that disables the SSL certificate verification process during the WordPress update download. By setting the 'sslverify'
parameter to false
, the update process can bypass the SSL certificate check and successfully download the latest WordPress files.
- Save the
functions.php
file: Once you've added the code, make sure to save the changes to the functions.php
file.
Now, when you try to update WordPress, the download should proceed without any SSL-related issues. The update process should complete successfully, and your website will be running the latest version of WordPress.
Testing and Restoring the SSL Verification Process
After successfully completing the WordPress update, you may want to test the SSL verification process and restore it to its original state. This can be done by following these steps:
-
Try updating WordPress again: Attempt to update your WordPress installation without the custom function in the functions.php
file. If the update is successful, it means the SSL verification process is working correctly.
-
Remove the custom function from functions.php
: If the update is successful without the custom function, you can safely remove the code you added earlier from the functions.php
file.
-
Verify the SSL certificate: Check the SSL certificate on your website to ensure it is valid, up-to-date, and properly configured. You can use online SSL checker tools or your web host's SSL management tools to verify the certificate.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your WordPress site is using the secure SSL verification process for future updates, while also addressing any underlying SSL-related issues that may have caused the initial update failure.
Preventing Future WordPress Update Download Failures
To avoid encountering the "WordPress Update Download Failed" error due to SSL certificate issues in the future, consider the following best practices:
-
Keep your web server and software up-to-date: Ensure that your web server is running the latest version of the operating system, web server software, and any necessary libraries or dependencies. Outdated software can often lead to SSL compatibility problems.
-
Maintain a valid and properly configured SSL certificate: Regularly renew your SSL certificate and ensure that it is correctly configured on your web server. This will help prevent any issues with the SSL verification process during WordPress updates.
-
Disable SSL certificate verification only as a temporary measure: The solution provided in this article is a temporary fix to get your WordPress site updated. It's not recommended to keep the SSL verification disabled permanently, as it can compromise the security of your website.
-
Monitor your website's security and performance: Use Flowpoint.ai to continuously monitor your website's security, performance, and user behavior. Flowpoint's AI-powered analytics can help you quickly identify and address any technical issues that may be impacting your site's stability and user experience.
By following these best practices, you can minimize the risk of encountering SSL-related WordPress update download failures in the future, ensuring that your website stays up-to-date and secure.
Remember, keeping your WordPress site updated is crucial for maintaining the integrity, security, and functionality of your online presence. By addressing the "WordPress Update Download Failed" error caused by SSL certificate issues, you can streamline the update process and maintain a healthy, up-to-date WordPress installation
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