Word Press - Automatic Plugin & Theme Update's Fail

Wordpress 3.3.1
Whenever I try to automatically update from within Dashboard a plugin or theme it fails. Below example of plugin failing.
It just started doing this a few weeks ago. Haven't been able to figure out why.

Downloading update ...

Unpacking the update…

Installing the latest version…

Deactivating the plugin…

Removing the old version of the plugin…

Could not remove the old plugin.

Plugin update failed.

 

Hmm, haven't seen that before. But if it recently started happening, the first thing you want to look at are any recent changes that you've made.

You might also try disabling one of the plugins, then deleting the plugin files from /wp-content/plugins/ and see if you can re-install the latest version.

 

I've actually ran into this a few times.

I'd recommend recycling the application pool before updating the modules, and it may be recommended to do so again after the update goes through or fails.

In some weird occasions, the app pool may be placing locks on the specific folders, so it doesn't allow it to update properly.

 

Ah, good one.

 

It did not work for me. I am able to ftp in, delete the folder, and then go back and re install. But its just a work around for the automatic version not working.