How to fix WordPress Destination Folder Already Exists error?

A common problem that WordPress users may encounter is an error with the message: “Destination Folder Already Exists”. It pops up most often when installing a new plugin or theme. In this article, we will discuss the causes of this error and provide practical solutions to this problem.

What is the “Destination Folder Already Exists” error?

The “Destination Folder Already Exists” error is a common problem faced by WordPress users. The main reason for this problem is trying to install a plugin or theme that already exists in the WordPress directory. This may be due to a previous failed installation attempt that did not complete properly, leaving remnants of files in the directory.

How to fix “Destination Folder Already Exists” error?

There are several solutions you can use to fix this error. Choosing the right one depends on your level of comfort with technology and access to various tools. Here are some options:

1. Deleting a folder via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or cPanelA: If you are more tech savvy, you can use FTP or cPanel to log into the server and delete the folder that is causing the problem. This will require access to FTP or cPanel credentials, as well as knowledge of the WordPress folder structure. Once logged in, go to wp-content/plugins (for plugins) or wp-content/themes (for themes) and delete the folder that causes the problem.
2. Using a WordPress plugin: If you prefer to avoid manipulating your WordPress files directly, there is a plugin to help you manage your files. The File Manager plugin is one such tool that allows you to manage files directly from your WordPress dashboard. After installing the plugin, go to “File Manager” on the dashboard and then to the wp-content/plugins or wp-content/themes folders. From there, you can find and delete the problematic folder.

You can also try the following procedure to fix the error:

1. Go to your WordPress admin panel and select "Plugins".
2. Find the plugin causing the error and uninstall it.
3. Go to the “wp-content/plugins” directory on your server and delete the plugins folder.
4. Reinstall the plugin from the WordPress admin panel or manually via FTP.

If the above steps don't solve the problem, you can try manually removing the plugin by editing the wp-config.php file and adding the following code:

define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');

After removing the plugin, remove this code.

Important reminder

It's always a good idea to make a full website backup before modifying any files. Even a small mistake when manipulating files can lead to serious problems with the site.

To sum up, the “Destination Folder Already Exists” error is quite a common but fortunately easy to solve problem for WordPress users.

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