How to Turn on Maintenance Mode in WordPress

Need to turn your website off temporarily while you make some major changes? You might need to put your site on Maintenance Mode. However, what is it exactly and how can you do that? Well, in this article, you’ll learn all this as well as how to turn on maintenance mode in WordPress.

Here are 7 reasons why you might need to put your site in maintenance mode:

1. Software Updates
2. Server or Database Maintenance
3. Bug Fixes or Troubleshooting
4. Security Enhancements
5. Content or Design Overhaul
6. Performance Optimization
7. Migration to a New Hosting Platform

Software Updates

Websites require frequent updates to their underlying software, such as the CMS (Content Management System), plugins, and security patches. During these updates, putting the site into maintenance mode prevents users from encountering broken features or layout inconsistencies.

Server or Database Maintenance

Regular server or database maintenance, such as upgrading server software or optimizing the database, might require downtime. Maintenance mode ensures users aren’t disrupted by slow page loading or incomplete data fetching during these processes.

Bug Fixes or Troubleshooting

When your website encounters critical bugs or performance issues, maintenance mode allows developers to resolve the problems without impacting the user experience. It prevents users from interacting with malfunctioning parts of the site while fixes are being implemented.

Security Enhancements

If a security vulnerability is discovered, especially one that could affect user data or site integrity, the site might need to be temporarily taken offline. Maintenance mode allows security teams to patch vulnerabilities without exposing the website to malicious attacks.

Content or Design Overhaul

Significant content updates or design changes, such as launching a new theme or redesigning the user interface, can result in temporary disruptions. Maintenance mode keeps users from seeing a half-finished website, ensuring that the changes are fully implemented before being made public.

Performance Optimization

When optimizing site performance through code refactoring, caching adjustments, or image compression, it’s essential to put the site in maintenance mode to avoid users experiencing temporary slowdowns or layout shifts during the process.

Migration to a New Hosting Platform

If you are moving your site to a new hosting provider or a different server infrastructure, the process can involve transferring files and databases, which may take time. Maintenance mode helps ensure users don’t face interruptions or errors while the migration is in progress.

While WordPress does have a basic Maintenance Mode feature, it is often misunderstood as a full-fledged solution for managing site downtime. Here’s why the built-in maintenance mode differs from dedicated maintenance mode plugins:

• Automatic Activation During Updates
• Limited Customization Options
• User Experience Control
• Advanced Features
• Scheduling Options
• No User Notification
• Stability and Control

Automatic Activation During Updates

The built-in maintenance mode is automatically triggered during core, theme, or plugin updates. When you initiate these updates, WordPress places your site into maintenance mode, displaying a default message to visitors. This mode is temporary and is only intended for the duration of the update process, meaning once the update completes, the site automatically reverts back to its normal state.

Limited Customization Options

The built-in feature provides a very basic, generic message that informs visitors that the site is undergoing maintenance. In contrast, maintenance mode plugins offer extensive customization options, allowing you to create a branded maintenance page with your own message, logo, images, and styles. This helps maintain a professional appearance and keeps visitors informed about the changes or expected return time.

User Experience Control

With the default maintenance mode, you have little control over the user experience. Visitors simply see a standard message with no further context or engagement options. Maintenance mode plugins allow you to include features such as subscription forms, social media links, or even countdown timers, which can help keep your audience engaged and informed.

Advanced Features

Many maintenance mode plugins come with additional functionalities, such as access controls, where you can allow specific users (like administrators) to access the site while it’s in maintenance mode. This can be particularly useful for developers who need to test changes or perform checks without exposing unfinished work to the public.

Scheduling Options

Some maintenance mode plugins offer the ability to schedule when the maintenance mode will activate or deactivate. This is beneficial for planning updates or changes during off-peak hours, minimizing user disruption. The built-in WordPress feature does not provide this flexibility.

No User Notification

The default WordPress maintenance mode doesn’t provide any way to notify users of future updates or changes. Maintenance mode plugins often come with options to send email notifications to users or to display messages about what’s happening, which can help manage user expectations.

Stability and Control

Relying solely on the built-in feature may not provide the same level of stability and control as dedicated plugins. Plugins are specifically designed to handle maintenance scenarios and often include features that address common issues that may arise during site downtime.

In summary, while WordPress has a built-in maintenance mode feature, it is limited in functionality and customization compared to dedicated maintenance mode plugins, which offer a more robust solution for managing site downtime while enhancing user experience and maintaining professionalism.

Turning on maintenance mode in WordPress using a plugin is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set it up:

1. Choose a Maintenance Mode Plugin
2. Install and Activate the Plugin
3. Configure the Plugin Settings
4. Save Your Changes and Check Your Site
5. Disable Maintenance Mode

Step 1: Choose a Maintenance Mode Plugin

There are several plugins available for enabling maintenance mode in WordPress. Some popular options include:

• SeedProd
• WP Maintenance Mode
• Maintenance

As a side note, you can read more about Maintenance mode and WordPress Coming Soon plugins here.

You can choose any of these plugins based on your needs, but for this guide, we’ll focus on WP Maintenance Mode, also known as LightStart. This plugin is simple and has a few pre-built designs that are fast and easy to launch when you need to set your site on maintenance mode.

Step 2: Install and Activate the Plugin

In your WordPress admin area, you’ll go to Plugins, and then “Add New”. From there’s you’ll search for “WP Maintenance Mode”. Once you’ve found it, you need to click the button that says “Install Now”. When it’s been installed, the button will change to “Activate”. Click that and you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Configure the Plugin Settings

To configure your plugin, you’ll need to do the following:

• Access Plugin Settings
• Activate Maintenance Mode
• Customize your Maintenance Mode Page

Access Plugin Settings

After activation, navigate to the General Settings menu under WP Maintenance Mode.

Activate Maintenance Mode

In the General tab, you’ll see an option labeled “Status”. Set it to “Activated” to turn on maintenance mode.

Customize your Maintenance Mode Page

There are a few areas you can customize your maintenance mode page:

• Message
• Design
• Countdown Timer
• Search Index Settings

Message

You can add a custom message to inform visitors about the maintenance.

Design

Customize the design of the maintenance page using various options provided by the plugin, such as background color, text color, and layout.

Countdown Timer

If applicable, you can add a countdown timer to indicate when the site will be back online.

Search Index Settings

You can set your Maintenance Mode plugin so search engines won’t index it. This is a good idea to do if your site is new and under development.

Step 4: Save Your Changes and Check Your Site

Once you have configured all the settings to your liking, click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page. Open a new browser tab or window and visit your website. You should see the maintenance mode page you just configured. It should display the custom message and design you created.

Step 5: Deactivate Maintenance Mode

Once you’ve completed your updates or maintenance tasks, return to the WP Maintenance Mode settings in your WordPress dashboard. Change the Status back to Deactivated and save your changes to bring your site back online.

In summary, while WordPress has a built-in maintenance mode feature, it is limited in functionality and customization compared to dedicated maintenance mode plugins, which offer a more robust solution for managing site downtime while enhancing user experience and maintaining professionalism. Hopefully this article has helped you how to turn on maintenance mode in WordPress.