Tests automatic update capabilities and configuration.

Since: 5.2.0
Source: wp-admin/includes/class-wp-site-health-auto-updates.php

Constructor

Requires wp-admin/includes/class-wp-upgrader.php.

Methods

run_tests()

Executes all auto-update tests and returns results.

public function run_tests(): array

Returns: Array of test result objects with description and severity properties.

Severities:

• pass — Test passed
• info — Informational
• warning — Non-critical issue
• fail — Critical failure

test_constants()

Checks if auto-update constants are correctly configured.

public function test_constants( 
    string $constant, 
    bool|string|array $value 
): array|null

Parameters:

• $constant — Constant name (e.g., WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE)
• $value — Expected value(s)

Checks: WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE should be true, 'beta', 'rc', 'development', 'branch-development', or 'minor'

test_wp_version_check_attached()

Verifies wp_version_check() filter is attached.

public function test_wp_version_check_attached(): array|null

Fails if: Plugin disabled updates via wp_version_check filter

test_filters_automatic_updater_disabled()

Checks automatic_updater_disabled filter.

public function test_filters_automatic_updater_disabled(): array|null

Fails if: apply_filters('automatic_updater_disabled', false) returns true

test_wp_automatic_updates_disabled()

Checks if WP_Automatic_Updater::is_disabled() returns true.

public function test_wp_automatic_updates_disabled(): array|false

test_if_failed_update()

Checks for previous auto-update failures.

public function test_if_failed_update(): array|false

Checks: auto_core_update_failed site option

Severity:

• warning if non-critical failure (retry pending)
• warning if critical failure (updates disabled until manual update)

test_vcs_abspath()

Detects version control systems (.svn, .git, .hg, .bzr).

public function test_vcs_abspath(): array

Filter: automatic_updates_is_vcs_checkout — Allow updates despite VCS

test_check_wp_filesystem_method()

Checks if FTP credentials are required.

public function test_check_wp_filesystem_method(): array

Fails if: Site requires FTP credentials for updates

test_all_files_writable()

Verifies all core files are writable.

public function test_all_files_writable(): array|false

Process:

1. Gets checksums from WordPress.org
2. Checks each file’s writeability
3. Reports up to 20 unwritable files

test_accepts_dev_updates()

For development versions, checks if dev updates allowed.

public function test_accepts_dev_updates(): array|false|null

Checks:

• WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE not set to 'minor' or false
• allow_dev_auto_core_updates filter

test_accepts_minor_updates()

Checks if security/maintenance updates allowed.

public function test_accepts_minor_updates(): array|null

Checks:

• WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE not false
• allow_minor_auto_core_updates filter

Test Results Format

Each test returns:

array(
    'description' => 'Human-readable explanation',
    'severity'    => 'pass|info|warning|fail',
)

Or null/false if test passes or doesn’t apply.

Integration with Site Health

Called by WP_Site_Health::get_test_background_updates():

$updater = new WP_Site_Health_Auto_Updates();
$tests   = $updater->run_tests();

foreach ( $tests as $test ) {
    if ( 'fail' === $test->severity ) {
        // Mark as critical
    } elseif ( 'warning' === $test->severity ) {
        // Mark as recommended
    }
}

Related Constants

Related Filters