What You’ll Learn
- Check if system requirements are met
- Identify plugin conflicts blocking updates
- Adjust MainWP settings for your setup
- Troubleshoot premium plugin update failures
Prerequisites
- MainWP Dashboard installed and activated
- Admin access to Dashboard and child sites
- Ability to modify PHP settings (or host support)
Check System Requirements
Bulk updates require sufficient time and memory on both your Dashboard and child sites. These values often need increasing from defaults.Key Settings to Check
| Setting | Recommended Minimum | Where to Check |
|---|---|---|
| PHP Memory Limit | 256M | MainWP > Info > Server |
| WordPress Memory Limit | 256M | MainWP > Info > Server |
| PHP Max Execution Time | 300 seconds | MainWP > Info > Server |
| cURL Timeout | 300 seconds | MainWP > Info > Server |
How to Increase These Values
1
Check current values
Go to MainWP > Info > Server to see current PHP and WordPress settings.
2
Update Dashboard settings
Contact your Dashboard hosting provider or edit php.ini/wp-config.php to increase limits.
3
Update child site settings
Repeat the same increases on child sites experiencing update failures.
Check for Plugin Conflicts
Security and caching plugins sometimes interfere with update processes.1
Identify problem sites
Note which child sites fail to update.
2
Temporarily disable plugins
On a failing child site, temporarily deactivate security and caching plugins.
3
Test updates
Run updates again from your Dashboard.
4
Identify the conflict
If updates succeed, re-enable plugins one at a time to identify which one causes the conflict.
5
Configure the plugin
Adjust the conflicting plugin’s settings to allow MainWP operations, or contact the plugin developer for guidance.
Common Conflicting Plugin Types
- Security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri, Solid Security)
- Caching plugins (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, LiteSpeed Cache)
- Firewall plugins (NinjaFirewall, BulletProof Security)
Adjust MainWP Settings
If system requirements are met and plugins aren’t the issue, fine-tune MainWP’s request handling.1
Open Advanced Options
Go to MainWP > Settings > Advanced Options.
2
Reduce simultaneous requests
Lower the Maximum Simultaneous Requests value. Try reducing by half.
3
Reduce simultaneous update requests
Lower the Maximum Simultaneous Update Requests value.
4
Add delays between requests
Increase the Minimum Delay Between Requests value.
5
Test and iterate
Save settings and test updates. Repeat the process, adjusting values until you find settings that work reliably for your setup.
| Setting | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Maximum Simultaneous Requests | How many sites MainWP contacts at once during sync |
| Maximum Simultaneous Update Requests | How many sites receive updates at once |
| Minimum Delay Between Requests | Pause between batches of requests |
Troubleshoot Premium Plugin Failures
If only premium plugins fail to update:| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| License not activated | Activate the license on the child site |
| License expired | Renew the license with the plugin vendor |
| Update server unreachable | Check the premium plugin’s status page |
| API credentials missing | Enter API keys in the plugin’s settings |
Get Support
If you’ve tried all steps and updates still fail, open a helpdesk ticket with:- Screenshots of Server Information page
- List of plugins on the failing child site
- Description of which updates fail (all, specific plugins, premium only)
Self-Check Checklist
- Server Information shows adequate PHP memory and execution time
- Child sites also have adequate resource limits
- Security and caching plugins temporarily disabled for testing
- Advanced Options adjusted for fewer simultaneous requests
- Premium plugin licenses are active (if applicable)
- Updates complete successfully after adjustments
Related Resources
- Resolve System Requirements - Fix server configuration
- Change Simultaneous Update Requests - Detailed settings guide
- Premium Plugin Updates Not Detected - Premium update issues