After installing WordPress, the first thing every beginner needs to learn is how to install a WordPress plugin. Plugins allow you to add new features to WordPress such as add a gallery, slideshow, etc. There are thousands of free and paid plugins available for WordPress. In this step by step guide, we will show you how to install a WordPress plugin.
Before You Start
If you are using WordPress.com, then you cannot install plugins.
We often get complaints from users saying that they can’t see the plugins menu in their WordPress dashboard. It is because you are using WordPress.com, which has its limitations.
You cannot install plugins on WordPress.com unless you upgrade to their business plan. On the other hand, you can install any plugin you want on your self hosted WordPress.org website right out of the box (See the differences between self hosted WordPress.org vs WordPress.com).
If you want to switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, then read our tutorial on how to properly move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
How to Install a WordPress Plugin
To make it easy, we have created a video tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin that you can watch below.
However if you just want to follow text-instructions, then you can follow our step by step tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.
We have covered all three methods: installing a WordPress plugin using search, uploading a WordPress plugin, and manually installing a WordPress plugin using FTP.
Install a Plugin using WordPress Plugin Search
The easiest way of installing a WordPress plugin is to use the plugin search. The only downside of this option is that a plugin must be in the WordPress plugin directory which is limited to only free plugins.
First thing you need to do is go to your WordPress admin area and click on Plugins » Add New.
You will see a screen like the one in the screenshot above. Find the plugin by typing the plugin name or the functionality you are looking for, like we did. After that, you will see a bunch of listings like the example below:
You can pick the plugin that is best for you. Since in our search, we were looking for Floating Social Bar which happens to be the first plugin, we will click the ‘Install Now’ button.
WordPress will now download and install the plugin for you. After this, you will see the success message with a link to activate the plugin or return to plugin installer.
A WordPress plugin can be installed on your site, but it will not work unless you activate it. So go ahead and click on the activate plugin link to activate the plugin on your WordPress site.
That’s all, you have successfully installed your first WordPress plugin.
The next step is to configure the plugin settings. These settings will vary for each plugin therefore we will not be covering that in this post.
Install a Plugin using the WordPress Admin Plugin Upload
Paid WordPress plugins are not listed in the WordPress plugin directory. These plugins cannot be installed using the first method.
That’s why WordPress has the Upload method to install such plugins. We will show you how to install WordPress plugins using the upload option in the admin area.
First, you need to download the plugin from the source (which will be a zip file). Next, you need to go to WordPress admin area and visit Plugins » Add New page.
After that, click on the Upload Plugin button on top of the page.
This will bring you to the plugin upload page. Here you need to click on the choose file button and select the plugin file you downloaded earlier to your computer.
After you have selected the file, you need to click on the install now button.
WordPress will now upload the plugin file from your computer and install it for you. You will see a success message like this after the installation is finished.
Once installed, you need to click on the Activate Plugin link to start using the plugin.
You would have to configure the settings to fit your needs. These settings will vary for each plugin therefore we will not be covering that in this post.
Manually Install a WordPress Plugin using FTP
In some cases, your WordPress hosting provider may have file restrictions that could limit your ability to install a plugin from the admin area.
In this situation, your best bet is to install the plugin manually using FTP.
The FTP manager method is the least friendly for beginners.
First you will need to download the plugin’s source file (it will be a zip file). Next, you need to extract the zip file on your computer.
Extracting the plugin zip file will create a new folder with the same name. This is the folder that you need to manually upload to your website using a FTP client.
You would need to access your host through the FTP manager. If you do not have your FTP username and password, then contact your WordPress hosting provider and ask them.
Open the FTP client on your computer and connect to your website using the login credentials provided by your web host. Once connected, you need to access the path /wp-content/plugins/
Next, upload the folder you extracted from the zip file to the /wp-content/plugins/ folder on your web server.
After uploading the files, you need to visit the WordPress admin area and click on the Plugins link in the admin menu. You will see your plugin successfully installed on the plugins page.
You need to click on the Activate link below the plugin. Upon activating, you may need to configure the plugin settings. WordPress plugins come with their own settings which differ from one plugin to another so we will not describe them here.
We hope this helped you learn how to install WordPress plugins. You may also want to see our plugins category where we write about the best WordPress plugins that you can use to accomplish whatever you’re looking to do. Each of those articles come with step-by-step instructions on how to setup individual plugins.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
can i add captcha to “visual form builder” plugin
I just purchased a personal site to build a portfolio and read your suggestions for the best builders (Elementor, Beaver, etc.) Unless I upgrade to business subscription for $299 I can’t use any of them, is that correct? No plugins for anything less than business plan?
Hi Julie,
You are probably using WordPress.com. Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
Is the All in One SEO Plugin free?
I am using WordPress.org (as confirmed by the WordPress logo in the upper left of my Dashboard), but the plugin menu is still not there. Could it be that my hosting company has a multi-tenant version that hides certain features from me?
Hi Erica,
Please contact your WordPress hosting provider. It is likely that the user account you are using doesn’t have administrator privileges.
Hello, I bought a woocommerce site for real estate.
I have properties for rental but also for sale, so I want to remove the button -book- not on my pages for sale. How can I do this? Thanks in advance
No instructions on how to put it on a page or any particular place.
Hi Tom,
WordPress has more than 50,000+ free plugins. Each one of them does different things. Depending on the plugin you are trying to install you will find instructions on how to use it on the plugins website.
Hi. I’m uploading a plugin like in the second example…. but which file do I upload? The maps one I have purchased is a folder with all the files inside i.e. documentation – I don’t know which bit to upload! Please help
Hi Rose,
When you purchase a WordPress theme you get it in a zip file. You don’t need to unzip that file and upload it.
You try again by downloading the plugin again.
Alternately, you can upload the plugin folder to your WordPress website manually using FTP. You will need to upload the folder to /wp-content/plugins/ folder.
Thanks for the guide, very helpful.
Upload via WordPress directory gives error to me, so I used the FTP method to upload a downloaded plugin and it worked.
I am trying to upload a plugin onto my site. I have followed it up to the point where you click “Upload Plugin” on the Add New section of the plugin page. However, whenever I click the button nothing happens at all.
Thanks for a great page
BUT: When I have installed and activated, what do I do then to use the plugin??
Hi Niels,
It actually depends on the plugin you are using. Some plugins add a new page where you can configure plugin settings. This page is typically located under Settings menu in your WordPress admin bar. Other plugins may place it under other menu items in admin area. Check the plugin’s details page for instructions.
You guys are the best! Your style of teaching is simply amazing! Please make more videos on WP.
Hi Rizwan,
Thank you for kind words. You may also want to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials.
I installed and activated Email Subscribers. I filled in the contact/subscribers list. I posted a blog…but no mail was sent out? what am I leaving out?
I installed a plugin manually and activated it. I can not see plugin page, where it is?
Hello,
I would love some assistance with a plugin please. I have uploadd a new theme to my site with all of the required plugins, all of which have successfuly installed, but one (Revolution Slider).
I am getting the following message:
Unpacking the package…
Installing the plugin…
Destination folder already exists…./public_html/wp-content/plugins/revslider/
Plugin install failed.
I have gone into my file manager and can see that there is already a folder with the required plugin installed, however when I try to access the plugin from the WP dashboard, it still says it’s not been installed (and I can’t find it in inactive either).
If anyone has any advice, I’d be super grateful! Thanks!
Hi Martyna,
You’ll need to delete the plugin folder from your website using the File Manager. After that you’ll be able to upload and install the plugin again.
Hi
How do I install a plugin in localhost?
I’ve tried adding it manually in : xampp/htdocs/mywebsite/wp-content/plugins
but when I got back to the site plugins area its still not there. I’ve cleared cache just in case there was a bit of a lag but still nothing.
I used this process to add a new theme and it worked fine.
Is there something else I should be doing?
Thanks
Hey Deborah,
May be the plugin you are trying to add has incorrect plugin header which could stop WordPress from showing it as a plugin. Try adding some other plugin, to make sure this isn’t the case.
I just want to say that I am 52 and pretty much computer illiterate and I was just able to install a plug in from this. So so easy!!!
HI, I am receiving following error when i try to test contact for i add: “site is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500” . I checked e mail address and it is ok , so could you suggest how to solve
Thank you !
hi,i how to use urdu in word press? please help me
Hey Shakeel,
WordPress is available in many languages and can be used in almost any language. Please see our guide on how to install WordPress in other languages for more details.
Hello,
After successfully installing and configuring the header and footer plug in, I was wondering how I can go back and change what appeara in the header after i saved and exited the plug in? Can’t find a way to do this
Hello, thanks for the great info. I’ve purchased Yoast premium, downloaded it, but then when i try to upload to my site, its has broken the download into a bunch of individual folders. I’m certain i probably need all of them, but it will only let me choose one?
So how should i proceed?
Hi Brock,
Premium plugins come as a zip file. After downloading it to your computer, you don’t need to unzip or open that file. If you do that, then you will see individual folders packed inside the plugin.
If for some reason you cannot locate the plugin’s zip file, then you can try uploading it using FTP.
I DID IT!!! I manually uploaded a plugin for the very first time and I DID IT. The video was excellent! Thank you!
Hey Nia,
Glad you found it helpful
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials.
Hi,
I have installed your plugin “insert-headers-and-footers”, and this broken my website (don’t load).
This get back the error:
Fatal error: Can’t use function return value in write context in /home2/gnastac/public_html/topbusinessgrowth.com/wp-content/plugins/insert-headers-and-footers/ihaf.php on line 102
Could you help me to fix it?
Hi Gelu Nastac,
First you will need to deactivate the plugin. If you are unable to access the WordPress admin area, then see our guide on how to deactivate plugins when not able to access admin area.
After that you will need to install the updated version of the plugin. Let us know if this worked.
It works
Thank you
what could be the reason for the add new button for the new plugin istall area showing this message “unexpected error occurred. Something may be wrong with WordPress.org or this server’s configuration.
Thanks! Your website has helped this newbie and I just wanted you to know that you are appreciated. This is a long way from how I learned to build a website back in the early 2k’s. You’ve made my life better knowing there is a place to find information that doesn’t talk down to me but shows me in plain, step-by-step, English.
Hi Keith,
Thanks for the kind words
We really appreciate your support and feedback.
Thanking You Sir,
It’s very helpful for me…
Hello,
I want to create my site through my android tab, but please is there any mobile Ftp to use for uploading files. And is it possible to create site through android tab?
Thanks
Hi Apata,
Yes, you can do it using a tab. However, it will be a little difficult and you may not be able to do certain things. Some plugins and themes may be difficult to setup.
What if the plugin failed to install? I actually tried to install the contact form 7 plugin but it didn’t worked.
Did you activate the plugin after you hit the install button
hello i have installed a questionnaire plugin in a word press website that was developed by someone else, and i don’t know how to view them from the front end? am not well conversant with word press… need help
verry helpfull thank you
I would like to ask for help on plugins. I’m new to this area and I’m currently taking an online course. However, I haven’t gotten an answer from them yet.
I’m trying to activate/add my first plugin. I understand a plugin can be 1 file. In my case it’s a php file and its contents is just comments at this point.
When I go to plugins in my admin site I dont see the file. so I’ve tried using the ‘add new’ link and I proceed to upload the file both as a singe file and as a zip file and here are the errors I get:
Unpacking the package…
Installing the plugin…
The package could not be installed. No valid plugins were found.
Plugin install failed.
OR i get this error:
Unpacking the package…
The package could not be installed. PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT (-10) : Unable to find End of Central Dir Record signature
I’ve installed XAMPP and WordPress on my local host
Why am i getting these errors and how do I correct it?
How do I add my plugins that I develop myself to my site? I’m using my localhost with XAMPP to do testing
Can you still install plugins on a template/theme you have already downloaded?
Hiya,
I also cannot see the plug-in menu on my dashboard. I’ve recently moved from wordpress.com to .net (which, I’ve been told, is essentially the same as .org, right?) How do I fix this? My site has not been hacked or anything.
Thank you.
If you cannot see the plugins menu, then most probably your site is still redirecting you to the WordPress.com dashboard. It is also possible that your site is still hosted with WordPress.com and you just added a domain name to your existing WordPress.com blog.
Hi,
i downloaded few slider plugins and activated.
.where i place the shortcode ?.Thereby i can see the plugin in page div.
Please help
Hi – I followed your tutorial on how to dump wordpress.com for wordpress.org.
I hosted my site on bluehost.com and downloaded wordpress on bluest (per another one of your tutorials… Thanks!)
But now i am logging into wordpress as an admin through the bluehost cPanel and still no plugging tab showing on my dashboard… any ideas what I could have done wrong?
I do NOT have a “plugins” menu item between Appearance and Users! Why not?
?
John
PS So how can and WHERE do *I* install any WP plugins?
You are probably using WordPress.com. Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
I installed the lite version and now I want to enter the contest for the full version but I don’t see where. I tried putting in the address provided but it says “page not found”.
Do you know if there are any way we may filter the search result? If I could filter out those plugins that are not updated to my version of WordPress, and sort by for instance grade or popularity, I might find the plugin I need!
Nope there isn’t a way to do this right now. You may also want to see our guide on installing plugins not-tested with your WordPress version.
I install plugin, but how can access it on wordpress theme or page or post.
plugin name is easy randome quotes. How codes write and where write for calling this plugin.
Please refer to plugin’s page on WordPress.org, or plugin’s website for instructions.
After upgrade wordpress its looking for ajaxformpro-es_ES.mo. and showing this errors:
Please contact plugin author for support, or try reinstalling the plugin.
I don’t have the plugin option on my dashboard. Not sure how to work around that. Any ideas?
You are probably using WordPress.com. Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
I’ve installed and activated a plugin, but it’s not popping up on my dashboard the way others have, nor is it listed under Appearance. I get the sense I somehow need to register it in functions.php the same way I registered the nav menu, but I just can’t figure out what functions I need to call. Are there any general guidelines about how to start using a plugin that doesn’t appear on the dashboard after it’s been activated? Thanks!
No, you do not need to register a plugin anywhere. Not all plugins will add menu items into your WordPress admin bar. If there is a settings page for the plugin you are using then the most like position for it is under the Settings menu. Check the plugin’s website for screenshots.
Hi,
I am new sto wordpress. i downloaded few slider plugins and activated.
But how i can enable it on my favorite pages?
it’s showing suggestions like below. where i have to keep this code?
Add this Short code [display_fade_slider] from your page.
For template
Dear Anilina
Add the given short code by the slider plugin into that page where you want to show the slider. Go to post or page> click on Edit > Paste it. Now it depends on you.
Thanks and Regards
How can install a plugin in wordpress for android i have not access to PC?
Hello, thank you for the step-by-step instructions. Unfortunately, I also do not have the “Add New” plugin as an option, and I am working from a WordPress.org site. My site has recently been hacked and I’m wondering if this has anything to do with it. I wanted to download the Sucuri scanner plugin, but I can’t do that without the plugin menu.
Could you point me in the right direction to get this functionality back?
Thanks,
Carolyn
Please take a look at our beginner’s guide to fixing your hacked WordPress site.
C Morway,
I also have same problem. I dont get ‘Add New’ option for plugins. Were you able to get around this problem.
i like this how to add plugin details
im confused becuase on my dashboard, I don”t see plug in as a option.
You are probably using WordPress.com. Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
Hello,
1st, Thank you for such an informative site. I have been here for hours tonight and it gave me tons of valuable information. Really pleased I came across it! I have a paid for Plugin Question.
I am using a purchased plugin made made for ‘one site only use’ that I use to build/grow my 100% affiliate site via WP and Woocommerce. So I only have the one affiliate store builder plugin – license etc. I bought and like very much.
For various site behavior reasons I am thinking that maybe this plugin caught an infection of some sort. If that’s possible. I will also note that I did not add the proper security to my site prior to this issue I am having. Stupid I know – learned a valuable lesson there. I think I brought the infection on myself when I added Google Aynalytics to my footer then clicked onto a ‘Referral link’ I saw inside the GA stats area. Dumb move indeed! It was a stringer of words with dots or dashes between each word and right after i clicked it … My site was under Hit Attack! –
Then installed both a security plugin (BPS Free Version) and joined Cloudflare free version and since this issue of ‘Thousands of fake overwhelming hits per day’ is still happening after a week of security, I am thinking the infection is most likely on my Affiliate site building plugin since I have only have > Woo-commerce – Limit Login Attempts – One security plugin (the BPS free version) and my site builder plugin. Not sure where else the infection could live – in the Theme? It’s not in my p.c. -checked it myself oodles of times then by a pro to be sure. No infections on my home p.c. at all.
So, I am wondering if I could deactivate the site builder plugin by following whatever proper steps are required, then re-upload – replace the plugin with the original plugin from my p.c. as it was not infected as a fresh plugin from day 1 install.
I am so unclear what happens to the contents – posts etc on my site when one deactivates then replaces. Do things ‘Poof’ – disappear and I have to re populate the site from scratch or am I able to keep my site as is but somehow replace the infected plugin then re-activate it?
I do hope my wording made sense enough as I too am a newbie – Learning a lot but was unable to find an answer online that made enough sense to my limited skill set abilities at this time.
Any advice – thoughts or direction that you could provide me would be appreciated more than I can express. I give you a ton of credit for giving us as much as you do already and truly value your time and efforts to do so.
Kindly – Echo
We are not sure we understand your problem correctly. We will try to point you to some resources that will help you locate the problem. First check out this guide, How to scan your WordPress site for potentially malicious code. Also take a look at how to find a backdoor in a hacked WordPress site.
Hi, my WordPress widget page is frozen. It wouldn’t allow me to customize anything.
What could be a problem?
I have WordPress.org and want to install a contact plugin on our home page. I think I have downloaded it onto our WordPress but don’t know how to get it to show up where I want it. Are you able to give me some assistance?
We are not sure which contact form plugin you installed. Most of them usually allow you to create a form and then add it to your site using shortcode. The plugin’s page on WordPress.org or the official plugin website will provide you more instructions.
Julie wrote;
I have WordPress.org and want to install a contact plugin on our home page. I think I have downloaded it onto our WordPress but don’t know how to get it to show up where I want it. Are you able to give me some assistance?
I have the EXACT same issue. I downloaded, installed, customized a great contact form, now HOW THE HELL do I get it on my page?
thank u
If you want to use a contact form on your homepage. Then first you need to use a static front page. Once you have chosen a page to be used as your site’s homepage, then edit that page and add the shortcode for your contact form in that page.
I am a novice with a computer. I have struggled to build a web site for our Church Parish using WP. It seems that in most instruction for the use of what ever are very carefully prepared and published in the belief that the reader is well informed in computer speak and able to immediately understand how it all should go together. Then along comes an 83 year old (a silver surfer) who is trying to get it right but because of the technical language used, is completely bamboozled. A beginner in WP is equivalent to an expert to someone with the very little knowledge I have. It would be nice if things could be explained in plain old English without initials or technical terms so we could get a better grasp of things and a more sound understanding. I suspect that doing so would cut down the number of requests for further help, tears and frustration all round..
Ron
Thanks for the feedback. We will try our best to improve on that.
I am new to wordpress and I am trying to figure out how to use plugins.
I have installed the one I want called Advanced Image Styles and it is activated. But I have no clue what to do from there. I installed it so I could edit pictures better but have no idea where to find it or how to use it or anything.
I’d love some help. Thank you in advance.
Most WordPress plugins usually have a settings page. Some plugins add these settings contextually. For example, an image editing plugin might add its controls and settings under the media screen. The plugin you are using does not come with any specific settings page. You can just insert an image in a post and then adjust its margins and borders in the visual editor.
Almost all WordPress plugins will have some basic instructions to quickly get you started on their download page.