{"id":2487,"date":"2019-08-19T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T12:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seedprod.dev\/?p=2487"},"modified":"2025-12-04T08:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:47:11","slug":"how-to-put-wordpress-in-maintenance-mode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/how-to-put-wordpress-in-maintenance-mode\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Enable WordPress Maintenance Mode Without Code"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The fastest way to put WordPress in maintenance mode is with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/how-to-put-wordpress-in-maintenance-mode\/\">SeedProd<\/a>. In just a few clicks, you can show visitors a professional \u201cwe\u2019ll be back soon\u201d page, protect your SEO with the right status code, and even collect leads while you work on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, I\u2019ll show you how to set up maintenance mode in WordPress step by step. You\u2019ll see the different methods available, when to use them, and why SeedProd is the best option for beginners and small business owners who want a custom, branded page without touching code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Put WordPress Maintenance Mode: The Short Answer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Install SeedProd:<\/strong>\u00a0Download and activate the SeedProd plugin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Select a Template:<\/strong>\u00a0Choose a maintenance mode page layout.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Customize the Page:<\/strong>\u00a0Add your logo and &#8220;coming soon&#8221; message.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Put WordPress in Maintenance Mode:<\/strong>\u00a0Go to the dashboard and toggle the switch to &#8220;Active.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"aioseo-toc-header\">\n\t\t\t\t<header class=\"aioseo-toc-header-area\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aioseo-toc-header-title aioseo-toc-header-collapsible-closed aioseo-toc-collapsed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aioseo-toc-header-collapsible\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n\t\t  <path d=\"M6 8H0V6H6V0H8V6H14V8H8V14H6V8Z\" fill=\"#005AE0\"\/>\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\tShow Table of Contents\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aioseo-toc-header-title aioseo-toc-header-collapsible-open \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aioseo-toc-header-collapsible\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"14\" height=\"2\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 2\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n\t\t  <path d=\"M0 2V0H14V2H0Z\" fill=\"#005AE0\"\/>\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\tHide Table of Contents\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aioseo-toc-contents \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-what-is-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">What Is WordPress Maintenance Mode?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-when-to-use-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">When to Use WordPress Maintenance Mode<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-methods-for-enabling-maintenance-mode-in-wordpress\">Methods for Enabling Maintenance Mode in WordPress<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-why-choose-seedprod-for-maintenance-mode\">Why Choose SeedProd for Maintenance Mode?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-how-to-put-wordpress-in-maintenance-mode-with-seedprod\">How to Put WordPress in Maintenance Mode with SeedProd<\/a><ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-1-install-and-set-up-seedprod\">Step 1: Install and Activate SeedProd<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-2-create-your-maintenance-page\">Step 2: Create Maintenance Mode Page<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-3-customize-your-maintenance-page\">Step 3: Customize Your Page Design<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-4-set-up-access-controls\">Step 4: Configure Page Settings<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-5-turn-on-maintenance-mode\">Step 5: Publish and Activate Maintenance Mode<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-how-to-turn-off-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">How to Turn Off WordPress Maintenance Mode<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-tips-for-a-professional-maintenance-page\">Tips for a Professional Maintenance Page<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-troubleshooting-maintenance-mode\">Troubleshooting Maintenance Mode<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-faqs-about-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">FAQs About WordPress Maintenance Mode<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-what-is-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">What Is WordPress Maintenance Mode?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress maintenance mode is a status that shows visitors a temporary page while an administrator works on the site, preventing them from seeing a broken or incomplete version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-page-examples.png\" alt=\"Examples of WordPress maintenance mode pages designed with SeedProd\" class=\"wp-image-9701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-page-examples.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-page-examples-400x286.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-page-examples-50x36.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, WordPress creates a temporary .maintenance file and sends a 503 &#8220;service unavailable&#8221; status code to search engines, which tells them the downtime is planned and won&#8217;t hurt your SEO. This is different from a &#8220;coming soon&#8221; page, which is used for brand new websites that haven&#8217;t launched yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-when-to-use-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">When to Use WordPress Maintenance Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress maintenance mode should be used during significant site updates that could otherwise appear broken or unpredictable to visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common situations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Testing new features on a live site<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Redesigning or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/how-to-change-your-wordpress-theme\/\" title=\"How to Change WordPress Theme Without Losing Content\">changing your WordPress theme<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fixing bugs or updating plugins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Running security patches or performance upgrades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Migrating your site to a new host<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In all of these cases, showing a maintenance page keeps visitors informed and reassured, instead of leaving them confused by errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-methods-for-enabling-maintenance-mode-in-wordpress\">Methods for Enabling Maintenance Mode in WordPress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The easiest way to enable maintenance mode is with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/best-wordpress-maintenance-mode-plugins\/\" title=\"7 Best WordPress Maintenance Mode Plugins (Top Picks)\">WordPress maintenance mode plugin<\/a>. If you want more control, you can also turn it on manually with code or server settings. Here are the main methods you can use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th>Method<\/th><th>Best For<\/th><th>Technical Difficulty<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Use a Plugin (Recommended)<\/td><td>Beginners<\/td><td>Low<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Add a Code Snippet (WPCode)<\/td><td>Developers<\/td><td>Medium<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Edit the .htaccess File<\/td><td>Advanced Users<\/td><td>High<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Upload a .maintenance File<\/td><td>Advanced Users<\/td><td>High<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Use Your Hosting Panel<\/td><td>All Users<\/td><td>Low<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While manual methods exist, I do not recommend them for beginners. Editing the .htaccess file or manually uploading a .maintenance file involves modifying server code. A single syntax error here can cause the &#8216;White Screen of Death,&#8217; locking you out of your own site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-why-choose-seedprod-for-maintenance-mode\">Why Choose SeedProd for Maintenance Mode?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seedprod-website-builder.png\" alt=\"SeedProd drag-and-drop builder showing blocks to create a maintenance page\" class=\"wp-image-28963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seedprod-website-builder.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seedprod-website-builder-400x220.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seedprod-website-builder-50x27.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on my experience testing more than a dozen maintenance mode tools, I always recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\">SeedProd<\/a> for its reliability, speed, and ease of use. It\u2019s a full drag-and-drop website builder with one-click maintenance mode and professional templates, so you can publish a branded page in minutes without touching code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a quick look at what makes SeedProd stand out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Benefit for Users<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Custom Templates<\/td><td>Pick from dozens of ready-made designs that look great on any device.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lead Capture Tools<\/td><td>Add email opt-ins, countdowns, and social links to stay connected while your site is offline.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Access Controls<\/td><td>Let admins or approved users bypass maintenance mode using a link, role, or IP address.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>SEO-Friendly Setup<\/td><td>Automatically sends a 503 status code so Google knows your downtime is temporary.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Theme Compatibility<\/td><td>Works smoothly with any WordPress theme and plugin, no extra setup needed.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These features make SeedProd the easiest way to keep your site professional, secure, and SEO-safe while you make updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-how-to-put-wordpress-in-maintenance-mode-with-seedprod\">How to Put WordPress in Maintenance Mode with SeedProd<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SeedProd is always my first choice for putting WordPress in maintenance mode because it&#8217;s fast, easy, and code-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to do it from start to finish. You can watch the video tutorial below to see\u00a0how to put WordPress in maintenance mode, or continue reading for the text instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-responsive  embed-responsive-16by9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"embed-responsive-item\"   title=\"How to Put Your WordPress Website in Maintenance Mode (2025 Edition)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jYXmRgfvHSA?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-ht-blocks-messages wp-block-hb-message wp-block-hb-message--noicon is-style-info\">There is a <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/coming-soon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"Free version of SeedProd WordPress Page Builder plugin\">free version of SeedProd<\/a>; however, I&#8217;m using the pro plan for the advanced features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-1-install-and-set-up-seedprod\">Step 1: Install and Activate SeedProd<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you&#8217;ll need to <a class=\"heroickb_exit_link\" href=\"?hkb-redirect&#038;nonce=8610dbcf2a&#038;check=63mmc&#038;redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seedprod.com%2Fdocs%2Finstalling-and-activating-the-coming-soon-pro-plugin%2F&#038;otype=unknown&#038;oid=0&#038;source=block-content\" title=\"Installing and Activating the Pro Plugin\">install and activate SeedProd<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/pricing\/\" style=\"background-color:#17a349\">Get Started with SeedProd Today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After you buy the plugin and download it, go to your WordPress dashboard, click <strong>Plugins \u00bb Add New \u00bb Upload Plugin<\/strong> and upload the SeedProd Pro zip file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/upload-WordPress-plugin.png\" alt=\"Upload SeedProd Pro plugin ZIP in the WordPress Plugins \u2192 Add New screen\" class=\"wp-image-35951\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/upload-WordPress-plugin.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/upload-WordPress-plugin-400x152.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/upload-WordPress-plugin-50x19.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re using the free version, simply head to <strong>Plugins \u00bb Add New<\/strong> and search for SeedProd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click \u201cInstall Now\u201d and then \u201cActivate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to enter your license key under <strong>SeedProd \u00bb Settings<\/strong> to get all the pro features and updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/enter-seedprod-license-key.png\" alt=\"Activate SeedProd Pro by entering license key in plugin settings\" class=\"wp-image-17965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/enter-seedprod-license-key.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/enter-seedprod-license-key-400x179.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/enter-seedprod-license-key-50x22.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-2-create-your-maintenance-page\">Step 2: Create Maintenance Mode Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, go to&nbsp;<strong>SeedProd \u00bb Pages<\/strong>&nbsp;in your WordPress menu and find the Maintenance Mode section. Here, click \u201cSet Up a Maintenance Mode Page.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/set-up-wp-maintenance-mode.png\" alt=\"SeedProd Pages screen with option to set up a WordPress maintenance mode page\" class=\"wp-image-9784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/set-up-wp-maintenance-mode.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/set-up-wp-maintenance-mode-400x230.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/set-up-wp-maintenance-mode-50x29.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where SeedProd Pro really shines. You&#8217;ll see dozens of professional templates designed specifically for maintenance pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"385\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-template.png\" alt=\"Choose a premade maintenance mode page template in SeedProd\" class=\"wp-image-9698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-template.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-template-400x233.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/maintenance-mode-template-50x29.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I usually pick one that matches my site&#8217;s style, but you can also start with a blank template if you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hover your mouse over any maintenance mode page template you prefer and click the checkmark icon to launch it in the drag-and-drop page builder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-3-customize-your-maintenance-page\">Step 3: Customize Your Page Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where I take full advantage of SeedProd Pro&#8217;s features to create a WordPress maintenance mode page that actually works for my business. You can customize everything using the drag-and-drop editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"462\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/WordPress-maintenance-mode-page-builder.png\" alt=\"Visually edit your maintenance mode layout using SeedProd builder\" class=\"wp-image-39236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/WordPress-maintenance-mode-page-builder.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/WordPress-maintenance-mode-page-builder-400x279.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/WordPress-maintenance-mode-page-builder-50x35.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what I usually include when customizing my WordPress maintenance mode page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A countdown timer showing when the site will be back<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An email signup form to capture leads while the site is down<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social profile buttons to keep visitors connected<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My logo and brand colors using the style settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A contact form, so people can still reach me<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Custom images and videos to make the page more engaging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/maintenance-page-countdown-timer.png\" alt=\"Add a countdown timer to your WordPress maintenance page with SeedProd\" class=\"wp-image-39237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/maintenance-page-countdown-timer.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/maintenance-page-countdown-timer-400x313.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/maintenance-page-countdown-timer-50x39.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The best part is, you can see how your changes look in real-time. Just click any element to edit it, or drag in new blocks from the left sidebar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/customize-maintenance-page.gif\" alt=\"Live preview while customizing WordPress maintenance mode page\" class=\"wp-image-39238\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I often use the Advanced blocks like the email opt-in forms, which connect directly to my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/best-email-newsletter-services\/\" title=\"10 Best Email Newsletter Services in 2025 (Compared)\">email marketing service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-4-set-up-access-controls\">Step 4: Configure Page Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before activating maintenance mode, I always check the access settings. Click&nbsp;<strong>Page Settings<\/strong>&nbsp;at the top of the editor, then&nbsp;<strong>Access Controls<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/maintenance-mode-access-controls.jpg\" alt=\"SeedProd access controls for whitelisting roles and users during maintenance mode\" class=\"wp-image-9952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/maintenance-mode-access-controls.jpg 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/maintenance-mode-access-controls-400x214.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/maintenance-mode-access-controls-50x27.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This lets you choose who can still see your regular site while maintenance mode is on. I usually:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep access open for administrators and editors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow specific user roles to bypass maintenance mode<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exclude important pages like login or contact forms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a special bypass link for team members who need access without logging in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-5-turn-on-maintenance-mode\">Step 5: Publish and Activate Maintenance Mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once everything is set up, click \u201cSave\u201d to store your changes. Then go back to <strong>SeedProd \u00bb Pages<\/strong> and find the Maintenance Mode section. Here you can toggle the switch to enable maintenance mode. You can always come back and disable it later with one click.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/activate-maintenance-mode.png\" alt=\"Click the switch to put WordPress in maintenance mode using SeedProd\" class=\"wp-image-9917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/activate-maintenance-mode.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/activate-maintenance-mode-400x250.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/activate-maintenance-mode-50x31.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To see how your page looks to visitors, open your site in an incognito browser window or check it on your phone. Since you&#8217;re logged in as an admin, you&#8217;ll still see your regular site when browsing normally. This lets you keep working while maintenance mode is on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, visitors who are not logged in to your website will see your maintenance page. For example, this is what my website visitors see when Maintenance mode is active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"463\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/custom-WordPress-maintenance-page-example.png\" alt=\"What visitors see when WordPress maintenance mode is active with SeedProd\" class=\"wp-image-39239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/custom-WordPress-maintenance-page-example.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/custom-WordPress-maintenance-page-example-400x280.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/custom-WordPress-maintenance-page-example-50x35.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is how to show a maintenance page in WordPress without touching code. Just drag, drop, and turn it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-how-to-turn-off-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">How to Turn Off WordPress Maintenance Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your updates are finished, turning off maintenance mode in WordPress is simple. Just follow these steps to make your site visible to visitors again:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <strong>SeedProd \u00bb Pages<\/strong> in your WordPress dashboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find the <strong>Maintenance Mode<\/strong> section.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toggle the switch to <strong>Inactive<\/strong> to disable maintenance mode.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open your website in a private or incognito browser to confirm it\u2019s live again.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"319\" src=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/disable-maintenance-mode.png\" alt=\"Switch off WordPress maintenance mode from the SeedProd Pages screen\" class=\"wp-image-9953\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/disable-maintenance-mode.png 662w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/disable-maintenance-mode-400x193.png 400w, https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/disable-maintenance-mode-50x24.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If your site still shows the maintenance page, clear your browser cache, plugin cache, or any CDN cache you\u2019re using. That usually fixes it right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-tips-for-a-professional-maintenance-page\">Tips for a Professional Maintenance Page<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A professional maintenance page does more than just say &#8220;we&#8217;ll be back soon.&#8221; Based on my experience, it should actively keep visitors informed and protect your brand. Here are the direct tips I follow for an effective page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Provide a Clear ETA:<\/strong> Inform visitors when your site will be back to manage expectations. I find that a specific timeframe or a countdown timer builds the most trust.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maintain Your Branding:<\/strong> Use your logo, brand colors, and fonts. This reassures visitors they are in the right place and that the downtime is a professional, planned event.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Capture Leads:<\/strong> Add an email signup form to your page. This turns downtime into a valuable opportunity to grow your newsletter by letting visitors subscribe for updates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Link to Active Channels:<\/strong> Direct visitors to your social media profiles. This gives them a way to get real-time updates and stay connected with your brand while the site is down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ensure SEO Safety:<\/strong> Confirm your page sends a 503 &#8220;service unavailable&#8221; status code. This is a critical step that tells search engines the downtime is temporary, which protects your rankings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These elements transform a simple maintenance notice into a professional tool for communication, lead generation, and brand trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-troubleshooting-maintenance-mode\">Troubleshooting Maintenance Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, I\u2019ve run into a few common issues with WordPress maintenance mode. Here\u2019s how I usually troubleshoot them quickly and safely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If your site is stuck in maintenance mode:<\/strong> This usually happens when an update is interrupted. To fix it, you need to delete the <code>.maintenance<\/code> file from your site\u2019s root directory. You can do this using an FTP client or the File Manager in your hosting control panel. Once the file is gone, clear your browser and plugin caches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>To avoid failed updates:<\/strong> Never refresh or close your browser while WordPress is updating plugins, themes, or core files.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>When updating multiple plugins:<\/strong> Run them one at a time to prevent version conflicts or timeouts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Before making edits:<\/strong> Always back up your site before touching functions.php or .htaccess files.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>To minimize downtime:<\/strong> Schedule maintenance during low-traffic hours and check your analytics afterward to ensure everything runs smoothly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These quick fixes have saved me countless hours of troubleshooting. If you\u2019re still stuck, check out my detailed guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wordpress-stuck-in-maintenance-mode\/\">how to fix WordPress stuck in maintenance mode<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a little preparation, you can keep maintenance downtime short, prevent errors, and make sure your visitors return when your site\u2019s ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-faqs-about-wordpress-maintenance-mode\">FAQs About WordPress Maintenance Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ht-blocks-accordion wp-block-hb-accordion\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__section\" data-ht-blocks-accordion-block-state=\"closed\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__title\"><span>Does WordPress have a built-in maintenance mode?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__contentwrap\">Yes. When you update plugins, themes, or WordPress core, it briefly activates maintenance mode and shows a default message. But you can\u2019t customize it without a plugin or code.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__section\" data-ht-blocks-accordion-block-state=\"closed\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__title\"><span>Will maintenance mode affect my SEO?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__contentwrap\">No, as long as your page returns a 503 status code. This tells search engines the downtime is temporary.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__section\" data-ht-blocks-accordion-block-state=\"closed\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__title\"><span>How long can my site stay in maintenance mode?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__contentwrap\">A few hours is safe. Longer downtimes may frustrate visitors and search engines. For bigger projects, consider a staging site instead.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__section\" data-ht-blocks-accordion-block-state=\"closed\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__title\"><span>Can I let certain people bypass maintenance mode?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__contentwrap\">Yes. Plugins like SeedProd let you whitelist IP addresses, user roles, or create a secret bypass link.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__section\" data-ht-blocks-accordion-block-state=\"closed\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__title\"><span>What\u2019s the difference between maintenance mode and coming soon mode?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__contentwrap\">Maintenance mode is for live sites needing updates. Coming soon mode is for new sites not yet launched.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__section\" data-ht-blocks-accordion-block-state=\"closed\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__title\"><span>How do I get my site out of maintenance mode?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-hb-accordion__contentwrap\">If you used a plugin, just deactivate maintenance mode from its settings. If you used manual code or a file, remove the snippet or delete the <code>.maintenance<\/code> file.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Putting WordPress in maintenance mode is the best way to protect your visitors and your SEO while you update your site. You can do it manually with code or files, but the fastest and safest method is using a plugin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want a professional page with zero hassle, SeedProd is the top choice. In minutes, you can launch a branded maintenance page. Now you know exactly how to put WordPress in maintenance mode quickly and safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/pricing\/\" style=\"background-color:#17a349\">Get Started with SeedProd Today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related Articles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/coming-soon-vs-maintenance-mode\/\" title=\"Coming Soon vs Maintenance Mode: Learn The Difference\">Coming Soon vs Maintenance Mode: Learn The Difference<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/how-to-create-a-wordpress-under-construction-page\/\" title=\"How to Create a Modern WordPress Under Construction Page\">How to Create a Modern WordPress Under Construction Page<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/how-to-enable-woocommerce-maintenance-mode\/\" title=\"How to Enable Maintenance Mode in WooCommerce (Easy Guide)&nbsp;\">How to Put WooCommerce in Maintenance Mode<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/coming-soon-pages-wordpress\/\" title=\"31 Best Coming Soon Page Examples\">Best Coming Soon Page Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for reading! We&#8217;d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to join the conversation on\u00a0<a title=\"SeedProd YouTube Channel\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCWk1FoqaC33HPw0xJQLmluA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">YouTube<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/seedprod\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">X<\/a> and\u00a0<a title=\"SeedProd Facebook Page\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/seedprodwp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0for more helpful advice and content to grow your business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to put WordPress in maintenance mode without code. Show a custom page, protect SEO, and keep visitors engaged using SeedProd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":39251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"limit_modified_date":"","last_modified_date":"2025-08-15T05:41:32","inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,26],"tags":[465,464,99,518],"class_list":["post-2487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-how-to","tag-add-maintenance-mode-to-wp-with-seedpreod","tag-adding-maintenance-mode-to-wordpress","tag-maintenance","tag-maintenance-mode"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2487"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41216,"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2487\/revisions\/41216"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seedprod.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}