Remove the WordPress Update Nag for Non-Admin Users
WordPress shows update warnings to every admin user, including editors and shop managers. Here's how to hide them for non-superadmin users.
Log into WordPress as an editor or shop manager. At the top of every admin page, there’s a yellow banner: “WordPress X.X is available! Please update now.”
The editor can’t update WordPress. The shop manager can’t update WordPress. But they both see the warning, every single page, creating anxiety and unnecessary support requests.
WordPress shows update notifications to any user with access to the dashboard. But only administrators can actually perform updates. Showing the nag to everyone else is just noise.
What is the update nag?
WordPress displays a persistent banner across the top of all admin pages when a new version is available. It also shows plugin and theme update counts in the sidebar menu. These notifications are visible to all logged-in users with dashboard access.
Why should you care?
It worries non-admin users. Editors see “Please update now” and think the site is vulnerable. They email you asking if the site is safe. Or worse, they try to find the update button themselves.
It clutters the admin experience. For users who manage content — writers, editors, shop managers — the update nag is irrelevant noise. A cleaner admin is a more productive admin.
Client management. If you manage WordPress sites for clients, every update nag is a potential “is my site broken?” email.
The quick fix
// Hide update nag for non-administrators
add_action( 'admin_head', function() {
if ( ! current_user_can( 'update_core' ) ) {
remove_action( 'admin_notices', 'update_nag', 3 );
}
});This hides the core WordPress update nag for any user who doesn’t have the capability to perform updates. Administrators still see everything.
The one-click solution
Ovanap Admin Toolkit includes Hide WP core update nag under Admin Toolkit → Features → Admin UI. One switch hides the core “WordPress X.X is available” banner for every user, administrators included. Updates are still listed under Dashboard → Updates.
What happens after you fix this?
- Non-admin users see a clean dashboard without update warnings
- Fewer “is my site broken?” emails from clients and content editors
- Administrators can still find every update under Dashboard → Updates — security isn’t compromised
FAQ
Does hiding the nag mean updates won’t happen?
No. Administrators can still perform updates normally from Dashboard → Updates. With the code above they also keep seeing the banner; the toolkit’s switch hides the banner for everyone. You’re only hiding the visual notification.
Can I hide plugin update notices too?
Yes, with additional CSS or capability checks. Ovanap Admin Toolkit does not do this: its switch hides only the core WordPress update banner, and plugin and theme update counts stay in the menu.
Is this safe for sites with automatic updates enabled?
Perfectly safe. Automatic updates work independently of the visual notification. Whether the nag is visible or not, WordPress auto-updates as configured.
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