How to block SiteGround WordPress automatic updates

I migrated a large WordPress site to SiteGround using a manual installation, without using SiteGround’s guided setup and WordPress management system. For technical help, see my WordPress support service.

Later, in order to use the staging area and run some tests, I had to add the site to SiteGround’s WordPress management. The process was simple and only took a few clicks.

From that moment on, however, SiteGround also started to automatically manage core and plugin updates. In my case, since the site was highly customized, that was a problem.

While reading SiteGround’s documentation, I found a clear statement saying that it was possible to remove the project from WordPress management without deleting anything, by selecting the option to keep the database. In practice, though, that is not what happened: both the database and the files were deleted, and the site went down completely.

Fortunately, I was able to restore everything from a backup through the SiteGround interface. After this experience, I avoided adding WordPress back into SiteGround’s “WordPress management.” This means giving up the staging feature, at least for now, but I would rather find an alternative.

So, if you are looking for a way to prevent SiteGround from automatically updating WordPress, be careful: even adding the related string to the wp-config file, “disable-update true”, might not be enough, because SiteGround’s management system may still override it.

I wish you a good read and remember: if after reading this article you need help, don't hesitate to contact me.

Author: Graziano De Maio | Founder of Gdmtech