5.01 update failed with an error

Try MANUALLY updating. Download WordPress again and unzip it, and use that to copy up. Access your server via SFTP or FTP, or a file manager in your hosting account’s control panel (consult your hosting provider’s documentation for specifics on these), and delete then replace your copies of everything on the server EXCEPT the wp-config.php file and the /wp-content/ directory with fresh copies from the download. This will effectively replace all of your core files without damaging your content and settings. (NOTE: do not delete the?wp-content?directory or your?wp-config.php?file). Please read the Manual Update directions first.

Backup: If you haven’t already done, always backup everything (including your database) before doing any actions, just in case something really goes wrong. You can never have enough backups!
Useful Guides: https://codex.www.ads-software.com/WordPress_Backups ; https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Backing_Up_Your_Database ; https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Restoring_Your_Database_From_Backup

Ah, good advice, thanks.

In the process of doing this I discovered that the problem was a lack of resources on the server — I had nearly filled up my disk quota. Got that lifted a bit and the auto install worked like a charm.

But good to have this under my hat for future problems.

Thanks!

Glad you got it sorted ??