To turn on automatic updates for major WordPress core releases, sign in to WordPress and open Dashboard > Updates. If the page says your site receives maintenance and security releases only, select “Enable automatic updates for all new versions of WordPress.” That setting applies to WordPress core, not plugins or themes.
Enable major updates from the WordPress dashboard
- Sign in to your WordPress administration area.
- Open Dashboard > Updates.
- Find the core-update settings message. If it says the site is automatically kept up to date with maintenance and security releases only, select “Enable automatic updates for all new versions of WordPress.”
- Confirm that the page now reports automatic updates for each new WordPress version.
The dashboard wording refers to new WordPress core versions, including major releases. It does not turn on automatic updates for plugins or themes.
Enable major core updates in wp-config.php
If you manage site configuration in code, add this definition to wp-config.php:
define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true );The values have different effects:
| Value | Core updates enabled | Effect on the dashboard control |
|---|---|---|
true |
Development, minor and major releases | The constant overrides the user-controlled setting. |
'minor' |
Minor releases only | Major releases remain disabled. |
false |
None of the core update types controlled by this constant | The constant overrides the user-controlled setting. |
Use the constant only when its broader behavior is acceptable: true enables development updates as well as minor and major releases. A defined WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE value takes precedence over the setting a user can change on Dashboard > Updates.
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Use a filter when you need selective control
For developer-managed policies, WordPress provides the allow_major_auto_core_updates filter. The WordPress handbook recommends putting update filters in a must-use plugin. Do not place add_filter() calls directly in wp-config.php; WordPress is not fully loaded there, and this can conflict with tools such as WP-CLI.
Why the automatic-update option may be missing
If the link to enable all new versions is unavailable, check these conditions before treating the dashboard as broken:
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- A configuration constant is defined.
WP_AUTO_UPDATE_COREcan force a policy and override the dashboard control. - Automatic updates are disabled globally. A defined
AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLEDconstant prevents background updates. - A filter or other updater restriction is active. Code in a must-use plugin, another plugin, or the site’s deployment setup can restrict core updates.
- WordPress detected a version-control checkout. New installations normally enable major updates by default, but WordPress with a detected version-control checkout is an exception.
Inspect wp-config.php, must-use plugins and deployment code for these controls. If a managed host or organization maintains the configuration, its policy may need to be changed by an administrator rather than from the dashboard.
Understand the default behavior by installation age
WordPress introduced automatic background updates in version 3.7, initially covering minor core releases and translations. Starting with WordPress 5.6, new installations have both minor and major core updates enabled by default unless WordPress detects a version-control checkout. Existing installations keep their previous behavior until an administrator, constant or filter enables major updates.
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These defaults explain why two sites on the same WordPress version can show different update settings: installation history and environment detection matter.
Core updates are separate from plugin and theme updates
Enabling major WordPress releases changes the update policy for WordPress core only. Plugin and theme automatic updates have separate controls, including per-plugin and per-theme settings. Review those independently if you want them updated automatically.
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Should you enable major updates on a production site?
For a straightforward site using well-supported themes and plugins, automatic major core updates reduce the chance of leaving the site on an old release. Sites with custom code, tightly controlled deployments or version-controlled files deserve more care.
Test customized sites on staging first
The WordPress handbook identifies staging as a way to allow testing time before a major update reaches production. Reproduce the production configuration on staging, apply the major release there, and check the site’s key workflows before allowing the same change on the live site.
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Choose the configuration route that matches your workflow
| Route | Best fit | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard switch | Owners who can administer the site and want the supported visual control | It may be unavailable when configuration, filters or environment detection impose a policy. |
WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE |
Code-managed or centrally governed sites | true enables development and minor updates too, and the constant overrides the dashboard setting. |
allow_major_auto_core_updates filter |
Developers who need selective behavior | Implement it in a must-use plugin or another fully loaded plugin context, not directly in wp-config.php. |
Quick verification checklist
- Open Dashboard > Updates and confirm the page reports automatic updates for new WordPress versions.
- Check whether
WP_AUTO_UPDATE_COREorAUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLEDis defined. - Review must-use plugins and other updater filters if the control is missing.
- Check for a version-control checkout, especially on a newer installation.
- Remember that plugin and theme update policies are configured separately.
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