Manage Automatic WordPress Updates in Sparkforge

WordPress sites hosted on Sparkforge can update Core, plugins, and themes automatically — and you control each one independently. Set Core to track only minor versions, auto-update specific plugins, and leave others manual. Less time chasing security patches, fewer surprise breakages from a major release.

Why turn on auto-updates

• Security patches land fast. Most WordPress vulnerabilities are exploited within days of disclosure.
• Performance fixes ship automatically. Core and plugin authors push optimizations on the regular release cycle.
• Less manual work. No more weekly login to click Update.

Manage WordPress Core updates

1. Go to Sites > WordPress Dashboard in Sparkforge.
2. Click the site you want to manage.
3. Open Advanced Settings > WordPress Management and find Core Update Preferences.
4. Pick one:
   • Off — no automatic Core updates.
   • Latest Version — installs the newest Core release, including major versions.
   • Minor Version — only point releases (e.g., 6.5.1, 6.5.2). Skips major upgrades.

Pick Minor Version if you have plugin compatibility risk

Major WordPress releases occasionally break older plugins. Minor Version keeps you patched against security issues without forcing a major-version jump.

Manage plugin auto-updates

1. Go to WordPress Dashboard > Site > Plugins.
2. Find the installed plugin in the list.
3. Toggle automatic updates on or off for that plugin.

Toggle each plugin individually — auto-update the ones you trust (and that have a track record of clean releases), leave riskier plugins manual.

Manage theme auto-updates

1. Go to WordPress Dashboard > Site > Themes.
2. Click the theme you want to configure.
3. Toggle automatic updates on or off.

Back up before enabling

Even with auto-updates, take a fresh backup before enabling them on a production site. If a release introduces a conflict, you want a clean rollback path.