FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions | WP Maintenance Manager

Can running maintenance cause my site to go down?

The app automatically creates a DB backup before updates and checks whether the site displays correctly after each update. If an HTTP 500 error is detected, the responsible plugin is immediately deactivated. Sites with "Aggressive Auto-Fix Mode" enabled will also have their DB and files restored together to their pre-update state (pinpoint rollback). The risk of a site staying broken is low, but not zero. Please only use this app if you are able to perform manual recovery if needed.

What types of failures does automatic recovery handle?

When an HTTP 500 error is detected after an update, the app automatically identifies the responsible plugin from fatal logs and immediately deactivates it. Sites with "Aggressive Auto-Fix Mode" enabled will additionally perform a pinpoint rollback — restoring both the database and files together to their pre-update state. Note that severe failures such as database corruption, or sites running in browser-only mode (no SSH), may fall outside the scope of automatic recovery.

What is "Aggressive Auto-Fix Mode" and should I enable it?

When a 500 error occurs, the app's recovery behavior is split into two levels: actions that always run automatically, and additional actions that only run when this mode is enabled.

🔒 Always automatic (regardless of mode setting)

Identifies the responsible plugin from fatal logs and immediately deactivates it ※ Requires SSH to be configured for the site

⚡ When Aggressive Auto-Fix Mode is ON

Pinpoint rollback: restores both the DB and plugin/theme files together to their pre-update state
WP debug log & PHP error log analysis: scans logs to pinpoint the responsible plugin or theme
Force cache flush: runs wp cache flush and clears the cache directory
Automatic theme switching: if a theme is identified as the cause, switches to a WordPress default theme (Twenty series) temporarily. If no Twenty series theme is installed, the switch is skipped and a warning is sent in the report email stating that manual intervention is required
Additional plugin deactivation: if log analysis reveals a second problematic plugin, deactivates it as well
wp doctor check: runs a full WordPress health diagnostic and records the results in the log

When to enable it

You manage multiple client sites as an agency and want reliable unattended recovery during off-hours
You want the app to resolve 500 errors as automatically as possible
SSH is configured for the site (this mode has no effect on browser-only sites)

Important notes

Automatic theme switching: if a theme switch occurs, your client may notice the visual change before you do. The action is recorded in the report email — check it and restore the original theme as needed.
SSH required: this mode does not apply to sites configured without SSH.
Not foolproof: complex errors may not be resolved automatically. Always review the report email after each maintenance run.

A good approach is to start with it OFF, then enable it once you want pinpoint rollback and a higher level of automated recovery confidence.

Will all plugins and themes be updated?

Premium plugins and themes that require activation may not be updated automatically. Any plugins that could not be updated will be listed in the report email.

Can updates be run at night or outside business hours?

There is no built-in scheduler. Please trigger maintenance manually when you want it to run.

How does the screenshot comparison feature work?

When this feature is enabled, screenshots of the homepage are automatically taken before and after updates, and the visual difference is detected. If the difference exceeds 8%, it is flagged and reported as an anomaly.
※ Sites with carousels or animated content are likely to produce false positives, so this feature is not recommended for such sites.

Where are screenshots saved? Can I share them with clients?

Screenshots are saved in the 「screenshots」folder on the PC running the app. They are not stored on the server. After maintenance, you can download files from the "📸 Screenshots" section in the log detail view (click on any site's log entry).
※ Post-maintenance screenshots are automatically saved for all sites. Sites with "Screenshot Comparison" enabled will have two images saved (before and after), with automatic diff detection. Images are retained for 90 days by default.

Where are database backups stored?

Backups are saved in two locations: on the server (in the WordPress installation directory) and locally on the PC running the app. During maintenance, a backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.sql file is automatically created and downloaded to your local machine via SSH/SFTP.

⚠ SQL files on the server are not automatically deleted. For long-term use, we recommend periodically cleaning up old backup files from your server.

What happens if I press the "Stop" button during maintenance?

Pressing Stop sends a stop signal to the process. The app will finish processing the current site before stopping, so updates are never interrupted mid-way. Sites that have already been processed remain updated; remaining sites are skipped.
※ After sending the stop signal, it may take a few seconds to tens of seconds before the app actually halts.

What are the system requirements?

The app runs on the following environments:

Item	Windows	Mac
OS	Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)	macOS 13.5 Ventura or later
CPU	64-bit processor	Intel / Apple Silicon
RAM	4 GB or more recommended
Required	Internet connection, WordPress 5.0 or later

Can I use it without deep WordPress or server knowledge?

Basic operations can be completed just by following the on-screen prompts. However, SSH configuration is required, which involves enabling SSH in your hosting control panel and making WP-CLI available. Major hosting providers like Xserver and Sakura Internet provide detailed setup guides on their side.

For a step-by-step walkthrough from SSH profile setup to your first maintenance run, see the User Guide.

Can maintenance run without SSH access?

Yes. Without SSH, you can still run maintenance using browser automation (Playwright) mode, which operates through the WordPress admin dashboard. Note that features such as DB backup will not be available in this mode.

Do I need to install any plugins on WordPress?

No. No plugin installation is required whatsoever. The app operates externally without modifying your WordPress installation.

Does it work on both Mac and Windows?

Yes. Installers are available for both Mac and Windows.

What hosting providers are supported?

Any server with SSH enabled is supported, regardless of hosting provider. Confirmed working on Xserver, Sakura Internet, ConoHa WING, Heteml, AWS, Vultr, and more. For servers without SSH, browser automation (Playwright) mode is available. (DB backup and some features are not available in this mode.)

Which browser opens when I launch the app? Can I choose a specific browser?

The app opens your OS's default browser automatically. There is no in-app browser selection setting.

🍎 Mac: Change your default browser in System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Default web browser.
🪟 Windows: Change your default browser in Settings → Apps → Default apps → Web browser.

Once the app is running, copy the URL shown in the address bar of the browser that opened automatically and paste it into any other browser to access the same screen.

Can I start for free?

Yes. The Free plan requires no registration and allows up to 1 site, 3 runs per month — completely free. Try it out before deciding on a paid plan.

Is billing monthly or annual?

Both monthly and annual billing are available. Annual billing saves approximately 20% compared to monthly. You can switch between them at any time.

When does the license validity period start?

The license period starts from the moment you enter the license key in the app. Validity is calculated to the end of the month.
Example: Monthly license key entered on March 15 → valid through April 30
※ The period starts from when the key is entered, not when it was purchased.

Can I cancel anytime? Is the process complicated?

You can cancel immediately at any time. Cancellation is self-service through the customer portal (the email address used at signup is required). You may also contact us to handle it, but there may be a 1–2 day delay. After cancellation, you can continue using the service until the end of your current billing period.

What payment methods are accepted?

Payments are processed via Stripe. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, etc.), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and many other methods are supported through Stripe's global payment infrastructure.

How many sites can I manage?

It depends on your plan: Free (1 site), MINI (3 sites), LITE (15 sites), STANDARD (100 sites), BUSINESS (200 sites). For more than 200 sites, please contact us.

Where are DB backups saved?

Backups are saved to your local PC. You can choose any folder and download them with one click.

Backup files also remain on the server in the WordPress installation directory (the folder specified as "WordPress Path" in the site settings), named backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.sql. You can retrieve them manually via FTP or your hosting control panel's file manager.

Can I share maintenance reports with clients?

Yes. Select sites from the maintenance log screen, preview the report, and download it as a PDF or HTML file (Standard plan and above). Send it to your client as an email attachment. Direct URL sharing is not currently supported.

What are the status badge types in the site list?

There are four status types:

Success All updates and checks completed normally.
Warning Work completed, but something requires attention — e.g. a pending plugin update, an admin dialog requiring action, or an HTTP check timeout.
Attention Not an error, but worth noting — e.g. HTTP status returned 4xx (such as 404), or a visual diff was detected. A manual check of the site is recommended.
Error SSH connection failure, update process error, or HTTP 500+ detected. Prompt investigation is recommended.

How long is the status badge displayed?

The status badge is displayed for 7 days after the last maintenance run. After 7 days, only the date and time are shown and the badge is hidden. Running maintenance again will re-display the badge.

Maintenance log history in the Logs tab is retained for 365 days, after which older records are automatically removed.

Hovering over a status badge shows no details.

Hovering over a status badge should show a quick summary popup, but if no updates were performed or no detail information was recorded, nothing will appear. For full execution details, check the Maintenance Logs tab at the top of the screen.

After restoring a settings backup on a different PC, SSH connections no longer work.

The settings backup contains only the file path to your SSH private key — the key file itself is not included in the backup. When restoring on a different PC, you will need to:

① Copy your SSH private key file (e.g. ~/.ssh/id_rsa) from the old PC to the new one
② Open the SSH Profile settings in the app and update the "Private Key Path" to the correct path on the new PC (sites reference profiles, so updating the profile applies to all linked sites automatically)

When migrating to a new PC, always copy your SSH private key files manually alongside the settings backup. Sites using password authentication only are not affected.

Which plan includes the report feature?

Preview and sample viewing are free on all plans. Downloading as PDF or HTML requires the Standard plan or above. Use the "View Sample Report" button in the Report Settings modal to see what a finished report looks like before upgrading.

Can clients tell this report was generated by WP Maintenance Manager?

No. The report uses your agency's logo, company name, colors, and contact information. There is no mention of WP Maintenance Manager in the output. It appears as your own branded maintenance report.

How do I add my agency logo and branding to the report?

Open Report Settings from the main screen. You can set your agency name, address, email, website, logo image, and accent color. These settings are applied to every report you generate.

What information is included in the report?

Each report includes: execution date/time, site name, update details (WordPress core / plugin / theme version changes), status (Success / Warning / Error), HTTP health check result, and optional before/after screenshots. You can also add a custom greeting and per-site notes directly in the preview screen.

I manage 20+ clients. Can I generate a separate report per client?

Yes. From the maintenance log screen, select only the sites belonging to a specific client and generate a report for that group. You can generate per-client reports as many times as needed. There is no limit on the number of reports.

Can I customize the greeting text or add notes for each site?

Yes. In the preview screen, click Edit Text to customize the greeting message and add a per-site note for any site in the report. Changes are reflected immediately in the preview before you download.

PDF or HTML — which format should I use?

Use PDF for formal client delivery — it's professional, consistent, and easy to attach to an email. Use HTML if you want to host, embed, or further customize the report internally. Both formats share the same visual design.

Can I include before/after screenshots in the report?

Yes. If screenshot comparison is enabled for a site, before and after images are embedded in the report. You can toggle screenshot inclusion on or off in the preview screen header.

Can I filter the report by date range (e.g. this month only)?

Yes. The preview screen lets you switch between This Month, Last Month, and All Time. You can also manually select specific log entries from the log list to include exactly what you need.

Maintenance showed "HTTP 500 detected — rolled back". What should I do?

The responsible plugin has been automatically deactivated. If "Aggressive Auto-Fix Mode" is enabled, the DB and files have also been restored to their pre-update state, so your site should be displaying normally. If the mode is OFF, only the plugin was deactivated — please verify the site visually. The plugin that caused the issue is listed in the report email. Check the vendor's release notes or wait for the next version before trying to update it again.

Reported as "Warning". Is there a problem with the site?

Not necessarily. Common Warning scenarios include: "a plugin update is still pending", "an action dialog appeared in the admin dashboard", or "a visual diff was detected in the screenshot comparison". Check the details section of the report email and manually review the flagged items.

"Login to WordPress admin failed" is shown.

This occurs when using browser automation (Playwright) mode. Common causes: the admin URL has been changed by a security plugin, two-factor authentication is enabled, or the login URL differs from /wp-login.php. Check that the "WordPress Admin URL" in the site settings matches the current login URL.

SSH connection error — updates not starting.

Please check the following:
① SSH is enabled in your hosting control panel
② The hostname, port number, and username in the site settings have no typos or extra spaces
③ If using SSH key authentication, the key file path is entered correctly

For Xserver, note that the SSH port number is 10022. Your hosting provider likely provides the correct SSH connection details in their documentation.

For a full breakdown of each SSH field, see User Guide STEP 1.

The SSH profile test connection succeeds, but maintenance fails with an SSH error.

Each site references an SSH profile, so updating a profile automatically applies to all linked sites. If you still encounter errors, check the following:

① Open the edit screen for the affected site and verify the correct SSH profile is selected
② Confirm the WordPress installation path is correct
③ Re-run the "Test Connection" in the SSH Profile manager

After restoring a backup on a new machine, update the private key path in the SSH profile. The change will automatically apply to all linked sites.

Backup shows "local save failed — on server only".

The DB backup on the server succeeded, but the transfer to your local PC failed. Common causes are insufficient disk space on your PC or an SSH connection drop mid-transfer.

The backup file remains on the server in the WordPress installation directory (the folder set as "WordPress Path" in your site settings), named backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.sql. Retrieve it manually via FTP or your hosting file manager.

Premium plugins (ACF, WooCommerce extensions, etc.) are not being updated.

Plugins not registered in the WordPress official repository (wordpress.org) are excluded from automatic updates — this is a WP-CLI limitation. They will be listed under "Pending Updates" in the report email; please update those plugins manually from the WordPress admin dashboard.

Email notifications are not arriving.

First, check your spam folder. If it's not there, verify that the SMTP host, port, and email address in the app's settings are correct.

If you're using Gmail, you need to set up an "App Password". Regular Gmail passwords will fail authentication. Generate an App Password from your Google Account's security settings and enter it in the password field.

For a full breakdown of the notification settings fields, see User Guide STEP 2.

My antivirus software flagged the app after installing on Windows.

This is a false positive. Some antivirus software may flag apps built with PyInstaller as unknown programs. Please refer to the Install Guide for step-by-step instructions on excluding the app.

The app launched but no browser opens / automation doesn't start.

On first launch, Playwright (the browser automation engine) needs to be downloaded. Please wait a few minutes with an active internet connection. If it still doesn't start, close the app and relaunch it.

It takes a while for the browser to open after launching the app.

This is normal behavior. On Mac in particular, the app performs initialization on startup, so it may take around 15 seconds before the browser opens. Please wait — once the browser appears, you can use the app immediately. Subsequent launches will be faster.

On Mac, clicking the app icon after closing the browser tab does nothing.

Closing the browser tab alone does not stop the app's internal server process. Due to macOS behavior, clicking the app icon while the server is still running will not launch a new instance — it simply activates the existing process, which can appear as if nothing happened.

Always use the "Quit App" button in the app UI to properly shut down the server before closing. This ensures the next launch works smoothly.

If you already closed the tab without using the Quit button, wait approximately 90 seconds — the server will shut down automatically after detecting no activity. You can then relaunch the app normally.

How do I update the app? Do I need to uninstall the current version first?

No uninstall is needed. Simply install the new version on top of the existing one. All your data — site settings, logs, and backups — will be preserved.

We recommend closing the app before running the update.

Windows: Download and run the new .exe installer. It will overwrite the existing installation automatically.
Mac: Open the new .dmg and drag the .app to the Applications folder. When prompted with "Replace existing item?", click Replace.

Entered the license key but "Cannot authenticate" is shown.

Please check the following:
① No extra spaces were included when copying and pasting the key
② Your internet connection is active
③ If the key is already in use on another PC, only one PC is allowed per key (per-plan limits apply)

If the issue persists, please contact us via the contact form.

I want to move to a new PC. How do I deregister the old one?

You can deregister using the 「Deregister This PC」button in the License tab of the app's settings. If the old PC is no longer accessible, please contact us via the contact form and we will handle the deregistration.

How many PCs can I use with the Business plan?

The Business plan supports simultaneous registration on up to 2 PCs. For example, you can use it on both your main Mac and a laptop at the same time.

Note that no duplicate site check is performed between the two registered PCs. Feel free to use the plan flexibly across team members or multiple work locations.

If you need to use a third PC, simply deregister one of the current PCs first, then register the new one.

What happens to my data when the license expires?

All site information, settings, and backup files on your PC remain intact. Nothing is deleted. However, after expiry, maintenance execution reverts to the Free plan limits (1 site, 3 runs per month).