Manage WordPress Automatic Updates for GoHighLevel Sites
If you use ClickUp or other tools to track client websites, you also need a clear process for managing WordPress automatic updates on your GoHighLevel hosted sites. This guide walks you through how automatic updates work for WordPress core, plugins, and themes, and how to safely configure them inside the hosting dashboard.
All instructions in this article are based on the official GoHighLevel WordPress hosting behavior so you can confidently set up update policies for every site you manage.
How GoHighLevel Handles WordPress Automatic Updates
On GoHighLevel WordPress hosting, automatic updates follow WordPress standards with a few platform-level protections. Understanding these default behaviors helps you decide when to rely on automation and when to manage updates manually.
- WordPress core uses built-in background updates.
- Plugins and themes can be updated automatically based on your settings.
- GoHighLevel applies safeguards to reduce the risk of site-breaking updates.
Before changing any update setting, it is recommended to have regular backups and a testing process for critical client sites.
WordPress Core Updates on GoHighLevel
WordPress core is updated in two main categories: minor (security and maintenance) and major (feature) releases. GoHighLevel respects the standard behavior but you can still fine-tune settings where needed.
Minor Core Updates
Minor core updates usually contain security fixes and small maintenance improvements.
- They are enabled by default by WordPress.
- They run automatically in the background for most sites.
- They are strongly recommended to keep enabled for security.
On GoHighLevel hosting, you should allow these minor core updates to run automatically unless you have a very specific development workflow that requires manual control.
Major Core Updates
Major core updates introduce new features and can sometimes cause compatibility issues with older themes or plugins.
- They may not always be enabled automatically.
- You may prefer to trigger them manually after testing.
- They should be scheduled during off-peak hours for busy sites.
When managing multiple GoHighLevel sites, document a standard process to test each new major core release on a staging site before enabling it on live environments.
Managing Plugin Updates in GoHighLevel WordPress Hosting
Plugins are a common source of vulnerabilities and conflicts. Proper configuration of automatic updates helps keep GoHighLevel WordPress sites secure without introducing unnecessary risk.
Plugin Automatic Updates Overview
Within a WordPress installation hosted on GoHighLevel, each plugin can be configured individually.
- Automatic updates can be toggled per plugin.
- You can rely on global update policies for common plugins.
- Critical or custom plugins may require manual updates.
Use automatic updates for well-maintained, frequently updated plugins and reserve manual control for complex or high-risk extensions.
How to Enable or Disable Plugin Automatic Updates
To adjust plugin update behavior on a GoHighLevel WordPress site, follow these steps inside the WordPress dashboard:
- Log in to the WordPress admin area for the specific GoHighLevel site.
- Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
- Locate the plugin you want to configure.
- Click the link to Enable auto-updates or Disable auto-updates next to that plugin.
- Repeat for any other plugins based on your update strategy.
Document which plugins are set to auto-update for each GoHighLevel WordPress install so you can troubleshoot quickly if a future update introduces an issue.
Managing Theme Updates with GoHighLevel
Themes control the look and layout of your site, so unexpected changes from automatic updates can be more visible to end users. For GoHighLevel sites, balance security with design stability.
Theme Automatic Updates Overview
Like plugins, themes can be managed individually in the WordPress dashboard.
- Automatic updates are available for each installed theme.
- Child themes and custom-coded themes often require manual updates.
- Stock or framework themes may safely use automatic updates.
When you build on top of a parent theme, consider using a child theme and managing its updates manually to avoid overwriting customizations on your GoHighLevel WordPress sites.
How to Configure Theme Automatic Updates
Follow these steps to change theme update settings on a GoHighLevel hosted WordPress site:
- Log in to the WordPress admin for the site.
- Go to Appearance > Themes.
- Click on the theme you want to manage.
- Use the available option to enable or disable automatic updates for that theme.
- Confirm any prompts and review the theme’s changelog when updates are available.
After changing theme update settings, plan a schedule to visually check key pages on your GoHighLevel sites after each update cycle.
Best Practices for GoHighLevel WordPress Update Management
To keep your WordPress installations on GoHighLevel secure and stable, apply the following best practices across all client sites.
Create a Standard Update Policy
Define a clear policy to decide which components should update automatically and which should be updated manually.
- Enable automatic minor core updates for all sites.
- Enable automatic updates for trusted, widely used plugins.
- Use manual updates for custom plugins, themes, or heavily customized setups.
Centralize these policies in your project management or documentation tools for consistent management of GoHighLevel websites.
Use Backups Before Major Changes
Before any major core, plugin, or theme update:
- Ensure a recent full backup is available.
- Confirm how to restore quickly if something fails.
- Test high-traffic or mission-critical GoHighLevel WordPress sites after updates.
Regular backups reduce the risk of downtime from unexpected conflicts and make experimentation safer.
Monitor Sites After Automatic Updates
Even with careful planning, an automatic update can occasionally lead to issues.
- Set up uptime monitoring for each GoHighLevel site.
- Check critical forms, funnels, and eCommerce flows after large update batches.
- Maintain a simple checklist for post-update verification.
Document any problems you encounter and adjust your automatic update rules as needed.
Where to Learn More About GoHighLevel WordPress Updates
For additional technical details about how WordPress updates are handled on the platform, review the official documentation provided by GoHighLevel. You can access the reference article here: WordPress Automatic Updates Management for Core, Plugins and Themes.
If you need strategic help integrating WordPress management with your broader agency systems, you can also explore resources and services from Consultevo, which supports agencies scaling with platforms like GoHighLevel.
By understanding how automatic updates work for WordPress core, plugins, and themes, and by applying a consistent policy, you can keep your GoHighLevel WordPress sites secure, stable, and easier to manage over time.
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