Does a required database update re-install Hello Dolly

  • Resolved laurelkeyes

    (@laurelkeyes)


    1 year, 10 months ago

    When I attempted to log into the wp-admin on my website today, I received notice “Database Update Required”. I clicked the link to update the database. After logging in, my plugins page showed two new plugins that were previously not there: Akismet and Hello Dolly.

    I understand that these plugins are usually packaged with WordPress but is the update responsible for their appearance or is something suspicious going on? Thank you.

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Plugin Author Dion Hulse

    (@dd32)

    Meta Developer

    Hi @laurelkeyes,

    The plugins would have been installed due to however WordPress was updated – although WordPress itself doesn’t re-install these plugins when an update is performed through it’s UI, some 3rd party tools are known to re-install the plugins incorrectly. This is not uncommon with older security management tools that install updates automatically.

    This isn’t the fault of the Akismet or Hello Dolly plugins, and without any information about how WordPress was updated, it’s not possible to guess how it happened.

    The “Database Update Required” step is unrelated, as that’s triggered after WordPress files are updated. It’s ensuring that the options and other data stored within the WordPress database are consistent with what the new version expects. When WordPress performs an upgrade itself, it will perform this as part of the upgrade. The fact you saw the ‘Database Update required’ screen implies that the WordPress files were updated by something other than WordPress, which explains why those plugins were re-installed.

    You should talk to your website / server administrator, whomever updates the software on your site, to determine if they’re aware that the update method they’re using is not ideal.
    They may be interested in using wp-cli for updates: wp core update

    Thread Starter laurelkeyes

    (@laurelkeyes)

    This was helpful information. Thank you for your response!

    I will mark this as resolved for now

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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