It seems like the absence of the “Enable Auto Update” column in the Plugins pane of your older WordPress installation might be due to several reasons. Let’s explore some potential solutions to address this issue.
1. Check WordPress Version:
Ensure that your older WordPress installation is indeed running on version 6.x. If there’s any uncertainty, confirm the version in the admin dashboard or by checking the version number in the wp-includes/version.php file.
2. Update Plugins:
Outdated plugins might not support the auto-update feature. Verify if all your plugins are up-to-date. Navigate to the Plugins page and update any outdated plugins to the latest versions.
3. Theme Compatibility:
Some themes might interfere with the display of certain features. Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-One) and check if the “Enable Auto Update” column appears. If it does, there may be a conflict with your current theme.
4. Check User Role Permissions:
Verify that your user role has the necessary permissions to enable auto-updates for plugins. Go to “Users” in the admin dashboard, select your user account, and ensure it has the “manage_options” capability.
5. Custom Code in Theme or Functions.php:
Examine your theme files and the functions.php file for any custom code related to plugin updates. Remove or comment out any code that might be affecting the display of the “Enable Auto Update” column.
6. Debugging with wp-config.php:
Open the wp-config.php file and add the following line of code:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true ); This enables debugging mode, and you might see error messages that could provide insights into the issue. Remember to remove or comment out this line after debugging.
7. Database Check:
There might be inconsistencies in the database. Consider running the WordPress Health Check tool or use a plugin like WP-DBManager to check and repair the database.
8. Plugin Conflict:
Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one, checking the Plugins page after each activation. This will help identify if a specific plugin is causing the issue.
If none of these solutions resolve the problem, it’s possible that there might be a unique circumstance related to your site’s configuration. In such cases, seeking assistance from WordPress forums or reaching out to a developer might be beneficial.
Remember to backup your site before making any significant changes, and proceed with caution to avoid any unintended consequences.