Maintenance module Free feature

Update notifications

Emails a summary whenever automatic updates complete, so you know what changed without logging in to look.

What it does

Tells you what changed, and whether it worked

Update notifications is a Vectro maintenance feature that emails you a summary when automatic updates complete, listing what was updated and whether each update succeeded or failed.

When automatic updates run, they run unattended. WordPress sends its own notification emails, but separately for core and for plugins and themes. This feature adds one Vectro summary covering the whole run, and it never switches WordPress’s own emails off.

This feature sends a summary after each automatic update run. It lists core, then each plugin and theme by name, marked updated or FAILED.

The summary goes to the Administration Email Address in Settings > General.

The Maintenance module is off by default on a new install. Switch it on from the Vectro dashboard before this feature can run.

Why it matters

The failure notice is the one that matters

A successful update summary is useful context. If something breaks two days later, knowing that four plugins updated on Tuesday turns an open-ended investigation into a short list.

The failure notice is more urgent. An update that fails can leave a plugin partially updated or deactivated, and a deactivated security or commerce plugin is a live problem. Without notifications that state sits there silently until somebody happens to open the plugins page. With them, you know the same day.

Every item named
Core, each plugin and each theme from the run are listed by name, not just a count.
Success or failure per item
A failed update can leave a plugin deactivated, which is worth hearing about immediately.
Alongside WordPress’s own emails
Turning the summary off never silences the emails WordPress sends itself.
Only when updates run
No digest on quiet days, so the emails that do arrive are worth opening.

How to use it

Set the address and confirm mail works

1
Switch on the Maintenance module
Go to Vectro > Dashboard in wp-admin and turn on the Maintenance module toggle. It is off by default on a new install.
2
Open the Maintenance module
Go to Vectro > Maintenance in wp-admin.
3
Check Update Summary Emails is on
It is on by default once the Maintenance module is enabled.
4
Check the admin email address
Summaries go to the Administration Email Address in Settings > General, so make sure it reaches whoever maintains the site.
5
Choose what updates automatically
Notifications report on automatic updates. With no automatic updates configured there is nothing to report.
6
Save Maintenance Settings and check mail delivery
If the first summary never arrives, your site probably cannot send mail reliably. See the technical note below.

Technical detail

When the summary is sent

Vectro hooks the completion of the WordPress automatic update process, collects the result for every item attempted, and sends a single summary rather than one message per item. If nothing updated, nothing is sent.

Mail goes through wp_mail, which on a default install hands off to the server mail transport. Many hosts either do not configure that or rate limit it heavily. If summaries do not arrive, route wp_mail through an SMTP service – worth doing anyway, since password resets use the same path.

Trigger
Completion of the WordPress automatic update process.
Contents
Core, then each plugin and theme by name, marked updated or FAILED.
Grouping
One summary per update run, not one email per item.
Recipient
The Administration Email Address from Settings > General.
WordPress’s own emails
Not changed. Turning this off only stops the Vectro summary.
Mail function
wp_mail
If mail fails
Route wp_mail through an SMTP service rather than the host transport.

Compatibility

Runs alongside everything

No conflicts detected. Vectro runs this feature regardless of other plugins active.

Questions

Frequently asked

What do Vectro update notifications include?

Vectro update notifications email a summary after automatic updates run, listing each item updated and whether the update succeeded or failed. One summary is sent per update run rather than one email per item.

Does Vectro update notifications work with ManageWP?

Vectro sends its summary regardless of other plugins, because no plugin is mapped against this feature. If ManageWP or another tool also reports on updates, you will receive both.

How do I get email notifications for WordPress updates in Vectro?

Switch on the Maintenance module under Vectro > Dashboard, then check that Update Summary Emails is on in Vectro > Maintenance. It is on by default and sends to the site admin email. Choose what updates automatically on the same screen, because summaries only report on updates that ran automatically.

Are Vectro update notifications free or Pro?

Yes, Vectro update notifications is free. It is included in the free Vectro plugin on WordPress.org with no account required.

Why am I not receiving Vectro update notification emails?

Most often the site cannot send mail reliably, because wp_mail hands off to a server transport that many hosts do not configure or actively rate limit. Install an SMTP plugin and route mail through an authenticated service to fix it.

Related features

Stay informed without logging in

Vectro Pro adds uptime monitoring with downtime alerts by email and SMS. See Pro plans

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