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WordPress.org Ban: Major Impacts on WP Engine Users
Sep 30, 2024 • 2 Minute Read • Daniel Edwards, Architect, B2B Commerce
If your website is hosted on WP Engine or you use its services (including Flywheel), you might have experienced some recent disruptions in your WordPress dashboard. These issues stem from an ongoing legal clash between WP Engine and Automattic, the company that founded WordPress. As a result, WordPress has blocked WP Engine's access to essential resources like theme and plugin repositories.
What Happened?
The conflict stems from accusations that WP Engine is profiting from WordPress without adequately contributing to its open-source community. In response, Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and Automattic, initiated a ban, cutting WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org’s servers. WP Engine users can no longer automatically install or update plugins and themes via the WordPress dashboard.
How Does This Impact You?
1. No Plugin or Theme Updates via WordPress.org
One of the primary issues is the inability to install or update plugins and themes directly from the WordPress.org repository. For security, functionality, and user experience, keeping these elements up to date is crucial. Without automatic updates, your site could be exposed to vulnerabilities that may arise over time.
2. Manual Updates Required
WP Engine users must manually download and upload plugins and themes from external sources to their sites. This adds an extra layer of management, especially for users with multiple plugins installed or complex theme setups.
3. Security Risks
Delayed or missed updates can expose your site to security breaches. If your site uses third-party plugins or custom themes, it’s essential to keep them updated to avoid potential threats.
Unfortunately, this is the risk of implementing a website on an open-source platform. If your organization is looking for an alternative CMS with more stability and/or additional features, please contact our team for recommendations.
4. Flywheel and Other Products Also Affected
If you're using Flywheel, a WP Engine-owned company, you're subject to the same restrictions. This could affect your development workflows and the overall management of your WordPress site.
What Can You Do?
1. Use Alternative Update Methods
While the automatic route for updates via WordPress.org is blocked, you can still manually download plugin and theme files from trusted developers and upload them through your WP Admin dashboard. This can be time-consuming but will ensure that your website stays secure and up to date.
2. Consider Hosting Alternatives
If this disruption impacts your operations, you might want to explore hosting alternatives. Pantheon.io is one option Verndale can endorse and suggest for consideration.
3. Stay Informed
As this legal dispute develops, it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest news. WP Engine and Automattic are still in discussions, and further changes could happen. Keep an eye on official announcements from both companies to understand how this might evolve. Just because you don't host with WP Engine doesn't mean you are 100% in the clear. WP Engine, over a period of its successes, has acquired various other plugins and developed its own, which are offered within the plugin directory at WordPress.org: Advanced Custom Fields, WP Migrate Pro, and WP Offload Media, to name a few.
Visit WP Engine's status page and support center to stay up to date.
Next Steps
For now, if you're a website owner or administrator or if you rely on WP Engine's services, you should assess how this situation impacts your site or business. Whether it’s manually updating plugins or considering a switch in hosting, staying proactive will help mitigate potential issues.
If you're unsure about your next steps, contact Verndale for technical or strategic guidance. We're here to help ensure your WordPress website remains secure and continues to perform optimally.