Are you seeing ‘Destination folder already exists’ error in WordPress? This error usually occurs during the installation of a theme or a plugin which prevents you from finishing the installation process. In this article, we will show you how to fix destination folder already exists error in WordPress.
Video Tutorial
If you don’t like the video or need more instructions, then continue reading.
What Causes Destination Folder Already Exists Error in WordPress?
This error occurs when you are trying to install a WordPress theme or plugin. WordPress extracts your plugin or theme’s zip file into a folder named after the file itself.
If a folder with the same name already exists, then WordPress aborts the installation with the following error message:
Destination folder already exists. /home/user/example.com/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/
Plugin install failed.
The first thing that you should do is visit your themes or plugins page to see if you have it already installed on your site.
If it isn’t already installed, then this could mean two things:
1. A previous attempt to delete the plugin or theme didn’t succeed, and it left the plugin / theme folder behind.
2. A previous installation attempt was interrupted and left an empty destination folder.
In either case, there is a folder with the same name as the theme or plugin you are trying to install. This folder is stopping WordPress from completing the installation.
That being said, let’s take a look at how to easily solve destination folder already exists error in WordPress.
Fixing Destination Folder Already Exists Error in WordPress
First you will need to connect to your WordPress site using an FTP client or cPanel File Manager.
Once connected, you need to go to the /wp-content/plugins/ or /wp-content/themes/ folder (depending on what you were trying to install).
Now, look for the folder named after the plugin or theme that you were trying to install and then delete it.
You can now go back to your WordPress admin area and retry installing the plugin or theme like you would normally do.
You should be able to install your WordPress plugin or theme without any error.
We hope this article helped you learn how to easily fix destination folder already exists error in WordPress. You may also want to see our ultimate list of the most common WordPress errors and how to fix them.
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Vivian says
Hello.
Thanks for the great post. The solution seems quite straight forward method to use when working on a live site that has a cpanel. How do I apply this method if I am using a Wamp server as my local host for a wordpress site. I had uninstalled a plugin and when I tried to reinstall it I got the error message: Installation failed: Destination folder already exists.
Please help
WPBeginner Support says
For a localhost installation, you should be able to navigate to your site’s folder in your WAMP installation and there you would be able to go to your plugins folder and delete the folder.
Admin
Vivian says
Thank you so much. Your solution worked.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad we could help!
Florencia Doy says
Hi, thanks for this quick tutorial. I was wondering if uploading the plugin with a different zip name would also work since then a new folder would be created with another name? I’m not too sure if this is the right way to go about it though, but I’m looking for other options than FTP since I don’t have access to that myself, just to WordPress. If you could clear that up, that’d be great!
WPBeginner Support says
We would not recommend using that method as depending on the plugin it could cause problems with its features or if you were able to install it under a second name it would cause errors with duplicate function names.
Admin
Midas Peng says
Hi
The Filezilla has connect to the Hosts server. and I can see the dirrectory, but when I want to delete the files. Filezilla show message of “permission denied”. Do I need to do anything on Hosts server to permit the files can be deleted?
thx for promt reply
WPBeginner Support says
We would recommend reaching out to your hosting provider and they should be able to check your permissions for your FTP user.
Admin
John says
Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for this. It sorted a real issue I have been having for over a year!
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our guide could help
Admin
Vighnesh Acharya says
Instad of delete you can also rename for the backup purpose (like woocommerce to woocommerce backup )
WPBeginner Support says
That is another option as well but normally if there is an issue with a plugin it would be better to delete the files that are causing the problem.
Admin
Feli says
Is there a way to fix this without using an FTP client? I’ve never used one before but believe the issue I am having is due to deleting a plug in that I should not have deleted.
WPBeginner Support says
Your hosting provider may have a file manager that would work as an FTP that you could use if you reach out to them for assistance.
Admin
Fallon says
I am a little apprehensive about deleting the Woocommerce folder as I had a bunch of things setup in my Woocommerce shop already-products, etc. Will doing this restore those or will I have to start over? I lost Woocommerce in my plugin list after WordPress update and now I get this message when trying to install. Thanks.
WPBeginner Support says
You should keep your content but if you are worried, you can create a backup using one of the tools in our article below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/7-best-wordpress-backup-plugins-compared-pros-and-cons/
Admin
asif majeed says
I had a problem with my website
after using this method, now it is fine.
thanks for such a great article.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our guide was helpful
Admin
shibaprasad says
thank you very much. this article solves my problem. thankyou again
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome, glad our article was helpful
Admin
Ubaid says
I do as you said, but my woocommerce plugin not installing.. same as beft
WPBeginner Support says
If you are still receiving the error, we would recommend reaching out to your hosting provider and they should be able to assist.
Admin
Ashish Gupta says
Thank you so much for this post, i am solve this issues facing few days,,
WPBeginner Support says
Glad we were able to help
Admin
skip Cross says
Wow! Great Help
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you, glad you liked our article
Admin
Tricia R says
Thanks so much for posting this. This fixed my problem!!
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our article was helpful
Admin
adam h says
Thank you so much for this simple solution!
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome
Admin
Marlene says
Thank you for your article. Saved me hours of troubleshooting!
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome, glad our article could help
Admin
Lohith jayashancar says
Thank you for helping. Jetpack plugin was unable to install with your help i downloaded filezilla in PC and solved the issue.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our article could help
Admin
Dimitris Mar says
I use an older version of WPBakery plugin on my site. The updated version of it is included in my template that I use. What can I do? I tried to upload it but I did not make it.
Can I delete the old version via FTP method and upload I again? Any risk of losing my current settings on the front-end of my site?
WPBeginner Support says
While normally that shouldn’t be an issue, you would want to reach out to WPBakery for if you can safely do that with their settings.
Admin
Steve says
Thank you, Thank you.
A really clear explanation with helpful links, that solved the problem with no fuss.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our article could help
Admin
Tameka M says
This was a very helpful video! Solved my problem in less than 10 minutes. Thanks so much! My Jetpack plugin is working again!
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our video could help
Admin
Armando says
Thank you. Problem solved!!
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our article could help fix the problem
Admin
Ellie says
The credentials are correct yet i still cant connect!
Vivek says
this works i have deleted the folder through FTp and reinstalled visual composer plugin and it worked
thanks
vivek
Chris says
I am installing a DIFFERENT plugin that uses the same folder name (I guess) so there’s no real solution…? They are both ‘accordions’ and it seems crazy WordPress struggles with this at all.
Jessica says
I received this error message when trying to update a plugin (Modern Events Calendar) to its newer version because an auto-update option is not available.
If did this manually through the cpanel and deleted the old folder, would I lose my existing content?
Thanks!
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Jessica,
We can’t say how the plugin stores data and whether it would still be there. Just to be safe create a complete WordPress backup and then manually update the plugin.
Admin
Ricky Spanish says
To be on the safe side, you can rename the existing plugin folder. I usually just add an underscore and the word “old” (_old) to the end of the directory name. Run the new install and test to see if it’s working. If it doesn’t work properly you can just delete it and then go back and change the name of the original folder to its original name. If it does work properly I leave the old folder there for a month or so just to be on the safe side.
Nadine says
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This fix is exactly what I needed.
Elsa says
This only works for wordpress.org sites. Do you have a solution for wordpress.com site where FTP and cPanel are not available?
Beth says
What an amazing post! I have been waiting for support from my plugin provider for 3 days!!!!! And when speaking to my hosting provider this morning they suggested I Google the error, saying that it was quite common. And you guys came through once again, providing simple and to the point guidance. I’m new to WordPress and appreciate what you do so much.
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Beth,
Thanks for kind words. We are glad you found WPBeginner helpful
Admin
Vikas Yadav says
Thanks for the solution!
Dylan says
Great post. Helped me solve a problem.
Randal Byrd says
I’ve deleted the offending folder both through FTP, and through my provider’s back end file manager.
I STILL get the error. I’m stumped.
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Randal,
As an alternate, you can try to manually install a WordPress plugin through FTP.
Admin