Title: Critical error after plugin update – Free plugin update to v.1.0.262
Last modified: January 14, 2026

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# Critical error after plugin update – Free plugin update to v.1.0.262

 *  Resolved [sofyma](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sofyma/)
 * (@sofyma)
 * [3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-after-plugin-update-free-plugin-update-to-v-1-0-262/)
 * When updating the plugin from 1.0.259.1 to version 1.0.262 we get a critical 
   error both on front end and admin. Reverting to the previous version fixes the
   issue.
 * What we did:
    1. Disable all other plugins except Rank Math Free and Pro.
    2. Updated Free (Pro is already up to date Version 3.0.34)
    3. The entire site breaks
 * When we disable Pro and update Free, the site is OK. But both enabled break the
   site – Pro 1.0 + Free 1.026.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Plugin Support [Miguel](https://wordpress.org/support/users/miguelrm/)
 * (@miguelrm)
 * [2 months, 4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-after-plugin-update-free-plugin-update-to-v-1-0-262/#post-18786781)
 * Hello [@sofyma](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sofyma/),
 * Thank you for contacting support.
 * That version of the PRO plugin is not the latest version and that’s why you are
   seeing the error. Please update the PRO plugin to the latest version by following
   this guide: [https://rankmath.com/kb/update-rank-math-manually/#download-rank-math-pro](https://rankmath.com/kb/update-rank-math-manually/#download-rank-math-pro)
 * That will fix the issue and the error will no longer be shown.
 *  [Gal Baras](https://wordpress.org/support/users/galbaras/)
 * (@galbaras)
 * [2 months, 4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-after-plugin-update-free-plugin-update-to-v-1-0-262/#post-18787722)
 * This situation should not cause a critical error. Instead, if the Pro plugin 
   isn’t at the required version, it should not be loaded. It’s better to lose functionality
   than the whole site.
 *  Plugin Support [Jeremy](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jeremrm/)
 * (@jeremrm)
 * [2 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-after-plugin-update-free-plugin-update-to-v-1-0-262/#post-18790218)
 * Hello [@galbaras](https://wordpress.org/support/users/galbaras/),
 * Thank you for sharing your feedback and we truly appreciate you taking the time
   to point this out.
 * We understand your concern, and we’ve noted your suggestion. If this is something
   we can improve in the future, we’ll be sure to consider it. At the moment, the
   PRO plugin remains active even if the Free version is updated first, which is
   why we always recommend keeping both Rank Math Free and PRO on their latest versions
   to avoid compatibility issues.
 * Thank you again for your valuable input, and please let us know if you need any
   further assistance.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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 * 4 replies
 * 4 participants
 * Last reply from: [Jeremy](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jeremrm/)
 * Last activity: [2 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-after-plugin-update-free-plugin-update-to-v-1-0-262/#post-18790218)
 * Status: resolved