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
Update Dashboard settings
Contact your Dashboard hosting provider or edit php.ini/wp-config.php to increase limits.
Check for Plugin Conflicts
Security and caching plugins sometimes interfere with update processes.Temporarily disable plugins
On a failing child site, temporarily deactivate security and caching plugins.
Identify the conflict
If updates succeed, re-enable plugins one at a time to identify which one causes the conflict.
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.Reduce simultaneous update requests
Lower the Maximum simultaneous install and update requests value.
| Setting | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Global request limit | How many sites MainWP contacts at once during sync |
| Maximum simultaneous install and update requests | How many sites receive updates at once |
| Minimum delay between requests in milliseconds | 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 Settings 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