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MainWP supports premium plugins that use the standard WordPress Update API. When plugins use custom update systems, you may need additional configuration for MainWP to detect their updates.

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What You’ll Learn

  • How to troubleshoot premium plugin update detection
  • How to add compatibility filters for non-standard update APIs
  • When to contact the plugin author

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Troubleshooting

1

Check the child site

Go to the child site’s WP Admin and check if WordPress detects updates for the plugins in question.
2

Evaluate the result

Child Site Shows UpdatesAction
YesResync your sites. If still not detected in MainWP, see Enhance Compatibility below
NoForce a recheck by refreshing WP Admin > Updates on the child site
Updates appear after force checkResync MainWP. If still missing, see Enhance Compatibility
Updates never appearReport the issue to the plugin author
If WordPress on the child site detects updates but MainWP Dashboard doesn’t, the plugin may use a custom Update API that requires enhanced compatibility.

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Enhance Compatibility

MainWP provides two filters for improving premium plugin compatibility:
FilterPurpose
mainwp_detect_premium_plugins_updateImproves detection of available updates
mainwp_request_update_premium_pluginsImproves the update process

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Add the Filters

1

Install Custom Dashboard Extension

If not already installed, install the MainWP Custom Dashboard Extension.
2

Add the filter code

Copy this code to the PHP Section of the Custom Dashboard extension:
// Improves detection of available updates for premium plugins
add_filter( 'mainwp_detect_premium_plugins_update', 'hook_mainwp_detect_premium_plugins_update' );
function hook_mainwp_detect_premium_plugins_update( $premiums = array() ){
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug';
    return $premiums;
}

// Improves the update process of premium plugins
add_filter( 'mainwp_request_update_premium_plugins', 'hook_mainwp_request_update_premium_plugins' );
function hook_mainwp_request_update_premium_plugins( $premiums = array() ){
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug';
    return $premiums;
}
3

Replace the plugin slug

Replace plugin-slug with the actual slug of the plugin having detection issues. Contact the plugin author if you’re unsure of the slug.
4

Save and resync

Save the code and resync your sites.

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Multiple Plugins

For multiple plugins with detection issues: 
// Improves detection of available updates for premium plugins
add_filter( 'mainwp_detect_premium_plugins_update', 'hook_mainwp_detect_premium_plugins_update' );
function hook_mainwp_detect_premium_plugins_update( $premiums = array() ){
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug-1';
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug-2';
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug-3';
    return $premiums;
}

// Improves the update process of premium plugins
add_filter( 'mainwp_request_update_premium_plugins', 'hook_mainwp_request_update_premium_plugins' );
function hook_mainwp_request_update_premium_plugins( $premiums = array() ){
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug-1';
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug-2';
    $premiums[] = 'plugin-slug-3';
    return $premiums;
}

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Alternative Method

If you don’t want to use the Custom Dashboard extension, add the code to the functions.php file of your MainWP Dashboard site’s active theme.

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When to Contact Plugin Author

Contact the premium plugin author if:
  • Updates don’t appear on the child site itself
  • The filter approach doesn’t resolve detection
  • You need the correct plugin slug for the filters
Some plugins use proprietary update systems that may have limited MainWP compatibility.

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Self-Check Checklist

  • Checked if WordPress detects updates on child site
  • Synced MainWP Dashboard
  • Added compatibility filters (if needed)
  • Used correct plugin slug in filters
  • Resynced after adding filters