WordPress is an incredible platform that offers a powerful content management system (CMS) for easily updating your website. However, one common annoyance many users face is the barrage of update emails they receive every time a plugin, theme, or WordPress core itself gets updated. While keeping your website updated is essential for security and functionality, the constant notifications can become overwhelming. This blog post will guide you step-by-step on how to turn off WordPress update emails effectively.
Understanding WordPress Update Emails
Before diving into how to disable these notifications, it’s essential to understand what triggers these emails in the first place. WordPress sends out various types of update notifications:
- Core Updates: Notifications about updates to the WP core software.
- Plugin Updates: Notifications for updates to installed plugins.
- Theme Updates: Notifications for updates to installed themes.
Here as an example of an email you may get.
These emails aim to keep users informed of updates that could enhance security and performance or fix bugs. However, you might not need these alerts if you manage updates manually or have another system for tracking updates. Recognizing this allows you to take action to disable these notifications effectively.
Why Turn Off Update Emails?
- Avoid Clutter: Too many emails can fill up your inbox quickly and become a distraction.
- Focus on Important Notifications: By disabling unnecessary notifications, you can ensure that you only receive the most critical messages.
- Custom Management: If you have a dedicated team managing updates or you use a different system for tracking updates, these emails may be redundant.
Now that we understand the necessary basics, let’s jump straight to our solutions.
A Practical Guide to Turn Off WordPress Update Emails
Method 1: Change User Notification Preferences
One of the simplest ways to turn off WordPress update emails is by changing the user notification preferences.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
-
- Log into your website Dashboard
- Navigate to Settings > Discussion on the left sidebar
- Uncheck the following notifications in the Default post settings:
- Attempt to notify any blog linked to from the post
- Allow link notifications from other blogs (pingbacks and trackbacks) on new posts
- Next, navigate to Email me whenever settings and uncheck
- Anyone posts a comment
- A comment is held for moderation
- Don’t forget to scroll down and click Save Changes
WARNING: For any method below number 1, ensure you have a backup of your site and database.
Method 2: Using a Custom Code Snippet
If you feel comfortable editing your theme’s functions.php file, you can add a snippet of code that will effectively disable update emails. Follow these steps:
To access your functions.php file, you can utilize an FTP manager or access using the File Manager in cPanel hosting.
Alternatively, you can log in to your WP dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor. However, we do not recommend this method due to security issues. In fact, some hosts will block this feature by default.
Once you locate the functions.php file, paste this code in there.
function disable_update_notifications($email, $updates) {
return null;
}
add_filter('auto_update_email', 'disable_update_notifications', 10, 2);
Click Save or Update to save the changes.
Method 3: Using Plugins
If you prefer not to mess with code, there are plugins available that can help you disable update emails. Here’s how to do it using a plugin.
Install a Notification Management Plugin:
- Go to your WP dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for a plugin like Disable All WordPress Updates or Easy Updates Manager.
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
We’ll use Easy Updates Manager for this tutorial because it is very easy to use. Just Install it, activate it, then go to Update options under Dashboard and update your plugin settings.
The options are straightforward, the first section is for the core files, plugin, and theme updates.
The second section is for email notifications. You can turn all these off.
Method 4: Altering the wp-config.php File
Another effective way to disable update notifications is by modifying your wp-config.php file. Here’s how you can do this:
- Log into your hosting account and navigate to the File Manager or use an FTP client.
- Locate the wp-config.php file, this file is located in the root directory of your WP installation.
- Right-click on the wp-config.php file and select Edit.
- Add the below code before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging”
define('AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true);
Save the file and exit.
Note: This line will completely disable automatic updates, including the core, plugins, and themes. Use this method if you want to manage all updates manually.
Method 5: Turn off WordPress Update Emails Using Your Hoste
Most hosting providers like Godaddy and Bluehost provide options to block automated updates for WP core files, plugins, and themes. You can disable the automated updates but you have to log into your website’s dashboard and update the files manually.
How to Disable Godaddy Auto Updates on Godaddy
- Log into your WP Dashboard
- On the top menu you will see the Godaddy Quick Links, hover over it and click on Disable auto-updates
- The page will refresh and disable all the auto-updates
- If you want to double-check it, you can hover over it again and this time it will say Enable auto-updates
For Bluehost, you can read their documentation, and for other hosts, you can look up online or call the customer service number to find out how you can turn off the WordPress update emails or the auto updates.
Advanced Email Update Customizations
Method 6: Customizing Email Notifications with Code Snippets
If you want more control over the types of notifications you receive without turning them all off, you can customize which emails get sent out by adding specific code snippets to your theme’s functions.php file.
1. Edit functions.php:
As previously described in method 2 locate the functions.php
2. Add Custom Code:
You can add snippets that control the specific notifications you receive. For instance, to only receive notifications for core updates, use the following code:
add_filter('auto_update_email', 'custom_auto_update_email', 10, 2);
function custom_auto_update_email($email, $updates) {
if (isset($updates->response['core'])) {
return $email; // Continue sending email for core updates.
}
return null; // Disable email for other updates (plugins/themes).
After adding your code, save the changes.
}
Save the changes after adding the code and it should work as intended!
Method 7: Control WordPress Cron Jobs
WordPress uses a built-in system called cron jobs to perform scheduled tasks, including sending update notifications. Adjusting how these jobs operate can help manage email updates too.
Disable WP-Cron:
Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:
define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);
Make sure to run a real cron job on your server to still schedule tasks.
Set Up a Cron Job:
If you’d like to run a cron job manually, you can create a schedule through your hosting account’s control panel to process scheduled tasks at your desired frequency.
Follow this YouTube video for setting up corn jobs with Godaddy, should work for other cPanel hosting providers too.
Method 8: Use Management Tools
For larger websites or if you manage multiple WP installations, you might consider using a management platform like ManageWP, MainWP, or InfiniteWP.
- Choose a Management Tool: Research and select a tool that fits your needs.
- Install and Set Up: Follow their specific instructions to set up your website on the platform.
- Manage Notifications: Throughout these platforms, you can manage updates, notifications, and a range of other tools to keep your website maintained without the usual hassle of WordPress’s built-in notification system.
Conclusion
Turning off WordPress update emails can greatly enhance your focus and reduce clutter in your inbox, but it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully. While the methods listed above will effectively stop email updates, make sure you have an alternative process in place to keep your website environment healthy and secure.
Remember, whether you choose to disable all notifications, selectively manage them, or employ a plugin or code snippet, always maintain regular backups of your website and keep on top of necessary updates. Doing so will help ensure that your site remains functional, secure, and ready to engage your audience without the inconvenience of unwanted emails.
By following these detailed methods above, you can confidently adjust your website’s setup to better suit your needs while staying informed about the critical updates that matter most. Enjoy a cleaner, more manageable inbox with less interruption to your daily tasks!
