Initial assessment
WordPress Error Cases

Database Update Required

“Database Update Required” in WordPress: causes and what to check

Updated 2026-10-31

WordPress shows this screen when the database version stored in the site is lower than the version the installed core files expect. The admin area stays closed until the database update runs.

Which of these matches what you see?

The core files are new and the database is still at the previous version. Running the update from this screen, or with wp core update-db in WP-CLI, completes the step.

The database user cannot change tables, or the db_version value in the options table cannot be saved. The update runs, and the stored version stays the same.

Core files from one release run against a database from another. The two need to come from the same point in time.

Common causes

Core files updated, database not: An interrupted update, or an update over FTP, replaced only the files.
Missing database privileges: The database user lacks ALTER or CREATE rights, so schema changes fail.
Options table problems: The db_version option cannot be saved, for example when the table is damaged or read-only.
Mixed backup restore: Files and the database were restored from different backups.

References

  1. Upgrading WordPress (Advanced Administration Handbook)

What the system does

A database schema that is behind is handled automatically: the system runs the pending schema upgrade. Fixes are made on a copy of your site in the recovery station and written back only after re-verification passes. In your site’s database, the protected tables (members, comments, orders and form submissions) are copied as structure only. In SSH and FTP mode, the system creates a pre-recovery backup on your host before writing back and restores from it if verification after write-back fails. If the recovery cannot be completed, the recovery fee is refunded in full.

  1. Initial assessment: Enter the site URL
  2. Copy to the recovery station: Work runs on the copy
  3. Find the cause: Item-by-item checks
  4. Recover and re-check: Home and inner pages
  5. Write back or deliver: Only after re-checks pass

Use WP119 when the update screen returns after each attempt and the admin area stays closed.

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