Once you’re running a blog, error messages are sometimes a part of your life. Of them, you may have come across the error message “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance.”
This error usually appears when you’re trying to access a website that’s undergoing maintenance or updates. If you’re seeing it as a visitor, it’s actually a good thing – it means that the website is being improved and will be back up and running soon.
If you’re the one responsible for maintaining the website, it’s a completely different story and you may be wondering why this is happening, how to fix this error and how to get your site back online.
Here are some reasons as well as steps you can follow to fix a “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error:
Why Your Site May Show A WordPress Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance Error
1. Your .maintenance file
The .maintenance file is a temporary file that’s created when you put your website into maintenance mode. It’s usually located in the root directory of your website.
If you see this file, it means that your website is still in maintenance mode and will display the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error. To make the error message go away, you’ll need to delete the .maintenance file.
2. Your plugin settings
If you use WordPress as your website platform, it’s possible that a plugin may have caused the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error.
To see if this is the case, you’ll need to log in to your WordPress dashboard and deactivate all of your plugins. Then, try accessing your website again.
If it’s back up and running, it means that one of your plugins was causing the error. You can then reactivate your plugins one by one to determine which one was causing the problem.
3. Your theme settings
Similar to plugin issues, it’s possible that your theme may be causing your “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error.
Solving this one requires that you switch to a default theme and see if that resolves the issue. If it does, it’s likely that your theme was the problem. You can then switch back to your original theme and see if the error persists. If it does, you may need to contact the theme developer for further assistance.
4. Your .htaccess file
The .htaccess file is a configuration file that controls how your website functions. It’s possible that an issue with this file could cause the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error.
You’ll need to edit your .htaccess file and remove any code that may be causing the issue. You can do this by accessing the file via FTP or through your hosting control panel.
5. Your hosting provider
If you’ve tried all of the above steps and the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error persists, it’s possible that the issue is with your hosting provider.
In this case, you’ll need to contact your hosting provider and ask them to look into the issue. They may be able to help you resolve the problem and get your website back online.
6. Your website files
If the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error persists after trying the steps above, it’s possible that corrupt or missing website files may be the culprit.
You can check by accessing them via FTP or through your hosting control panel. If you find any corrupt or missing files, you can try restoring them from a backup or replace them with a fresh copy.
7. Server issues
Still seeing the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error? Another possibility is that there may be an issue with your server.
This could be caused by a variety of factors, including server overload, hardware failure, or software issues.
Your hosting provider should be able to help here. Ask them to check for server issues. If there are any, they should be able to diagnose the problem and resolve it.
8. The problem is beyond your ability to handle
It may be time to consider hiring a professional at this point if you’re still having trouble fixing the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error.
A WordPress Specialist will have the knowledge and expertise to identify the root cause of the problem and find a solution. While it may cost a bit more upfront, hiring a professional can save you money, time and frustration in the long run.
9. Uncleared browser cache
Along with everything else, it is also possible that the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error may be caused by a problem with your browser cache.
A cache is a temporary store of data that helps the website process user requests faster.
You can try clearing your browser cache and cookies and then trying to access your website again.
10. Implement a cache policy
Alternatively, you can implement a cache policy.
Caching can help reduce the number of requests that the server needs to process, which can help reduce the strain on the server and improve the website’s performance.
There are several different types of caching that can be implemented, such as page caching, database caching, and object caching.
11. Check for WordPress updates
If you’re using an outdated version of WordPress, it’s possible that the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error may be caused by a compatibility issue.
The solution here is to get the correct updates. Go to the WordPress dashboard and check for them. If there are updates available, be sure to install them to ensure that your website is running the latest version of WordPress. Always make a backup of your website before you perform any updates.
12. Check your website’s PHP version
If your website is using an outdated version of PHP, it’s possible that the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error may be caused by the resulting compatibility issues here too.
Check your website’s PHP version and make sure it’s up to date. If it’s not, you may need to contact your hosting provider or a web developer to update it.
13. Check your website’s database
It’s possible that the “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error may be caused by a problem with your website’s database.
To fix this, you’ll need to log in to your hosting control panel and check your database for any issues. If you find any problems, you may need to repair or optimize your database to fix the error.
Available Again
Individually going through every single issue listed to find out which could be causing your “Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance” error could be frustrating.
The good news is it’s usually a temporary issue that can be easily resolved. By following the steps above, you should be able to fix the problem and get your website back online.
Still having issues?
If you’re still having trouble or don’t have the time to look at it yourself, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for further assistance. We can answer any questions you may have about your WordPress website or solve any problem you’re having. Reach out to arrange a live chat or Zoom meeting.
