How to Set Up Maintenance Mode for WordPress

Method 1: Using a WordPress Plugin #

The easiest way to enable Maintenance Mode is by using a plugin like WP Maintenance Mode or Coming Soon Page & Maintenance Mode by SeedProd.

Step 1: Install a Maintenance Mode Plugin #

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for WP Maintenance Mode or SeedProd.
4. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Step 2: Configure Maintenance Mode Settings #

1. Go to Settings > WP Maintenance Mode.
2. Enable Maintenance Mode by toggling the switch to ON.
3. Customize the Title, Message, and Background to suit your site’s branding.

Step 3: Preview and Save Changes #

1. Click Save Settings.
2. Open your website in an Incognito window or a different browser to see the Maintenance Mode page.

Tip: #

• You can whitelist your IP address in the settings to view the site normally while visitors see the maintenance message.

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Method 2: Manually Enable Maintenance Mode via functions.php #

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can add a simple code snippet to your functions.php file.

Step 1: Access functions.php #

1. Log in to your hosting account and open the File Manager (or use an FTP client like FileZilla).
2. Navigate to wp-content/themes/your-theme/.
3. Open the functions.php file for editing.

Step 2: Add the Maintenance Mode Code #

Copy and paste the following code snippet into the functions.php file:

phpCopy codefunction wp_maintenance_mode() {
    if (!current_user_can('edit_themes') || !is_user_logged_in()) {
        wp_die('<h1>Under Maintenance</h1><p>We are currently performing scheduled maintenance. Please check back later.</p>');
    }
}
add_action('get_header', 'wp_maintenance_mode');

Step 3: Save and Test #

1. Save the changes and close the file.
2. Open your website in an Incognito window to see the maintenance message.

Tip: #

• Only users who are logged in can bypass the Maintenance Mode page.

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Method 3: Using .htaccess for Maintenance Mode #

If you have access to the .htaccess file, you can use it to enable Maintenance Mode.

Step 1: Access the .htaccess File #

1. Log in to your hosting account and go to the File Manager.
2. Open the public_html directory and find the .htaccess file.
3. Edit the .htaccess file.

Step 2: Add the Maintenance Mode Code #

Insert the following code at the top of the .htaccess file:

apacheCopy codeRewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REMOTE_ADDR} !^123\.456\.789\.000
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /maintenance.html [R=302,L]

Step 3: Create a Maintenance Page #

1. Create a simple maintenance.html file with your maintenance message.
2. Upload this file to the public_html directory.

Tip: #

• Replace 123.456.789.000 with your IP address to allow yourself access while others see the maintenance page.

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Method 4: Using WP-CLI (Advanced) #

If you have SSH access and prefer using command-line tools, you can enable Maintenance Mode using WP-CLI.

Step 1: Connect via SSH #

1. Open your terminal or SSH client (e.g., PuTTY).
2. Connect to your server using SSH credentials.

Step 2: Enable Maintenance Mode #

Run the following command:

bashCopy codewp maintenance-mode activate

Step 3: Disable Maintenance Mode #

To turn off Maintenance Mode, use:

bashCopy codewp maintenance-mode deactivate

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Step 5: Test Your Site and Exit Maintenance Mode #

1. Check your website to ensure the Maintenance Mode page is displaying correctly.
2. Once you have completed your updates or changes, disable Maintenance Mode:
   • Plugin Method: Toggle the switch to OFF in the plugin settings.
   • Manual Method: Remove the code snippet from functions.php or .htaccess.
   • WP-CLI Method: Run wp maintenance-mode deactivate.

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Additional Tips: #

• Use a Custom Message: Personalize the Maintenance Mode page with your brand’s logo, a message, and an estimated time for when the site will be back online.
• Enable a Countdown Timer: Some plugins allow you to add a countdown timer, which can help inform visitors of the expected downtime.
• Backup Your Site: Before making major updates or changes, always create a backup of your site.