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
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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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Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for this. It sorted a real issue I have been having for over a year!
Glad our guide could help
Instad of delete you can also rename for the backup purpose (like woocommerce to woocommerce backup )
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
I had a problem with my website
after using this method, now it is fine.
thanks for such a great article.
Glad our guide was helpful
thank you very much. this article solves my problem. thankyou again
You’re welcome, glad our article was helpful
I do as you said, but my woocommerce plugin not installing.. same as beft
If you are still receiving the error, we would recommend reaching out to your hosting provider and they should be able to assist.
Thank you so much for this post, i am solve this issues facing few days,,
Glad we were able to help
Wow! Great Help
Thank you, glad you liked our article
Thanks so much for posting this. This fixed my problem!!
Glad our article was helpful
Thank you so much for this simple solution!
You’re welcome
Thank you for your article. Saved me hours of troubleshooting!
You’re welcome, glad our article could help
Thank you for helping. Jetpack plugin was unable to install with your help i downloaded filezilla in PC and solved the issue.
Glad our article could help
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?
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.
Thank you, Thank you.
A really clear explanation with helpful links, that solved the problem with no fuss.
Glad our article could help
This was a very helpful video! Solved my problem in less than 10 minutes. Thanks so much! My Jetpack plugin is working again!
Glad our video could help
Thank you. Problem solved!!
Glad our article could help fix the problem
The credentials are correct yet i still cant connect!
this works i have deleted the folder through FTp and reinstalled visual composer plugin and it worked
thanks
vivek
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.
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!
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.
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.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This fix is exactly what I needed.
This only works for wordpress.org sites. Do you have a solution for wordpress.com site where FTP and cPanel are not available?
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.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for kind words. We are glad you found WPBeginner helpful
Thanks for the solution!
Great post. Helped me solve a problem.
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.
Hi Randal,
As an alternate, you can try to manually install a WordPress plugin through FTP.