Title: Scan stopped
Last modified: November 30, 2022

---

# Scan stopped

 *  Resolved [SFM](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tsfm/)
 * (@tsfm)
 * [3 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/scan-stopped-2/)
 * Hi
    I have installed WF on my blog. Upon scan, I get the following message. When
   I look in diagnostics, I see that cURL support is not enabled, although the cURL
   extension is installed PHP 7.41.
 * Scan Stage Failed
    A scan stage has failed to start. This is often because the
   site either cannot make outbound requests or is blocked from connecting to itself.
   Wordfence will make up to 2 attempts to resume each failed scan stage. This scan
   may recover if one of these attempts is successful.
 * The log file merely states;
    [Nov 30 16:12:17] Scan stop request received.
 * Any ideas what may be causing this?

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  Plugin Support [wfpeter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wfpeter/)
 * (@wfpeter)
 * [3 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/scan-stopped-2/#post-16260921)
 * Hi [@tsfm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tsfm/),
 * Sometimes the module does need to be individually checked after choosing your
   PHP version in cPanel (as an example), but certainly shouldn’t be causing a problem
   if it is. I can think of a past case where cURL was disabled by the host, so 
   the setting at the site would always be overridden. You may need to speak to 
   your hosting provider about whether this is the case.
 * If your host doesn’t see an issue with your configuration, could I take a look
   at the diagnostics output myself please? You can send them to **wftest @ wordfence.
   com**. The link is at the top of the **Wordfence > Tools > Diagnostics** page.
   Then click on **“Send Report by Email”**. Please add your forum username where
   indicated and _respond here after you have sent it._
 * **NOTE:** It should look as follows – Screenshot of [Tools > Diagnostic > Send by Email](https://www.wordfence.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/diagnosticsendbyemail.png)
 * Thanks,
 * Peter.
 *  Plugin Support [wfpeter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wfpeter/)
 * (@wfpeter)
 * [3 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/scan-stopped-2/#post-16285420)
 * Hi [@tsfm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tsfm/),
 * Sorry for any delay, I wasn’t looking out for the diagnostic as this topic hadn’t
   been updated since my reply. I’ve now seen we have a diagnostic from you and 
   have checked it.
 * cURL support appears to be turned off, which could certainly be an issue. This
   can often be turned on either by your host, or as a checkbox (among other PHP
   modules) in your hosting control panel where your PHP version is selected.
 * Aside from this, I notice your `max_execution_time` value is 300, which has been
   found to be detrimental to scan speed. We have seen issues arise when this number
   is above `60`, so I would suggest altering this before going further.
 * You can then try the following:
    - Stop the existing scan if it is still running (The “Start New Scan” button
      turns into a “Stop” button while the scan is running).
    - Go to your Wordfence > Scan > Manage Scan and locate the “Performance Options”
      section. Set “Maximum execution time for each scan stage” to 20.
    - Click to “Save Changes”.
    - Go to the Tools > Diagnostics page.
    - In the “Debugging Options” section check the circle “Enable debugging mode”.
    - If “Start scan remotely” is checked, ** uncheck this option.**
    - Click to “Save Changes”.
    - Start a new scan on the Scan page.
    - If the scan fails again, copy the last 20 lines or so from the Log (click 
      the “Show Log” link) once the scan finishes and paste them in the post.
 * On some sites, this will correct the issue. Adding “20” for the **“Maximum execution
   time for each scan stage”** tells the scan to pause every 20 seconds and start
   again where it left off, which makes the scan more performance-friendly for some
   servers. If this fixes the issue and scans run again, you can leave all the settings
   above except for “Enable Debugging Mode”.
 * For a screenshot of my recommended Performance setting options – [Click Here](https://www.wordfence.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/maxexescanperformance.png).
 * Thanks again,
 * Peter.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

The topic ‘Scan stopped’ is closed to new replies.

 * ![](https://ps.w.org/wordfence/assets/icon.svg?rev=2070865)
 * [Wordfence Security - Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/)
 * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/#faq)
 * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/)
 * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/active/)
 * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/unresolved/)
 * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/reviews/)

 * 2 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [wfpeter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wfpeter/)
 * Last activity: [3 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/scan-stopped-2/#post-16285420)
 * Status: resolved