diff --git a/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py b/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py
index 1cb6161753a..bb7fe98a43d 100644
--- a/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py
+++ b/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class Repositories(QObject):
     def checkingOnStart(self) -> bool:
         """ return true if checking for news and updates is enabled """
         settings = QgsSettings()
-        return settings.value(settingsGroup + "/checkOnStart", False, type=bool)
+        return settings.value(settingsGroup + "/checkOnStart", True, type=bool)
 
     def setCheckingOnStart(self, state: bool):
         """ set state of checking for news and updates """
@@ -240,12 +240,12 @@ class Repositories(QObject):
         settings = QgsSettings()
         try:
             # QgsSettings may contain non-int value...
-            i = settings.value(settingsGroup + "/checkOnStartInterval", 1, type=int)
+            i = settings.value(settingsGroup + "/checkOnStartInterval", 3, type=int)
         except:
-            # fallback do 1 day by default
-            i = 1
+            # fallback to 3 days by default
+            i = 3
         if i < 0:
-            i = 1
+            i = 3
         # allowed values: 0,1,3,7,14,30 days
         interval = 0
         for j in [1, 3, 7, 14, 30]:
diff --git a/src/app/pluginmanager/qgspluginmanager.cpp b/src/app/pluginmanager/qgspluginmanager.cpp
index 8dff8040792..e1b5885d652 100644
--- a/src/app/pluginmanager/qgspluginmanager.cpp
+++ b/src/app/pluginmanager/qgspluginmanager.cpp
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ void QgsPluginManager::setPythonUtils( QgsPythonUtils *pythonUtils )
   mCheckingOnStartIntervals << 0 << 1 << 3 << 7 << 14 << 30;
 
   // Initialize the "Settings" tab widgets
-  if ( settings.value( settingsGroup + "/checkOnStart", false ).toBool() )
+  if ( settings.value( settingsGroup + "/checkOnStart", true ).toBool() )
   {
     ckbCheckUpdates->setChecked( true );
   }
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ void QgsPluginManager::setPythonUtils( QgsPythonUtils *pythonUtils )
     ckbDeprecated->setChecked( true );
   }
 
-  const int interval = settings.value( settingsGroup + "/checkOnStartInterval", "" ).toInt();
+  const int interval = settings.value( settingsGroup + "/checkOnStartInterval", "3" ).toInt();
   const int indx = mCheckingOnStartIntervals.indexOf( interval ); // if none found, just use -1 index.
   comboInterval->setCurrentIndex( indx );
 }