How To Fix “Installation Failed: Destination Folder Already Exists” Error
How To Fix “Installation Failed: Destination Folder Already Exists” Error
The 4 methods you need to fix this (rather annoying 😅) error are here ⬆️
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If you want to customize your WordPress website, you’ll likely need to install plugins and themes. However, when WordPress detects an existing folder for a specific plugin, you might receive the “Installation Failed: Destination Folder Already Exists” error. This can prevent you from improving or updating your site with new software.
Luckily, if you experience this pesky error, you can easily delete this pre-existing folder. Once you remove this folder from your site files, you’ll be free to install and update new plugins and themes.
In this video, we’ll explain what the “Installation Failed: Destination Folder Already Exists” error is and how it can happen. Then, we’ll show you how to fix it using four simple methods. Let’s get started!
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🕘Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:02 Replace the Existing Folder With an Uploaded File
1:48 Delete the Existing Folder Using a File Manager
4:40 Delete the Existing Folder Using cPanel
6:07 Delete the Existing Folder With WP-CLI
7:49 Download the File Manager Plugin
📚 Resources
🛠 How To Fix the “Installation Failed: Destination Folder Already Exists” Error
► https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/inst…
#InstallationFailedDestinationFolderAlreadyExists
Content
0 -> Hello, I'm Maria, and today I'm going to show you
2.52 -> how to fix the "Installation Failed:
4.44 -> Destination Folder Already Exists" error.
7.12 -> (upbeat music)
12.87 -> If you wanna customize your WordPress website,
15.21 -> you'll likely need to install plugins and themes.
18 -> However, when WordPress detects an existing folder
21.36 -> for a specific plugin, you might receive
23.85 -> the "Installation Failed:
25.35 -> Destination Folder Already Exists" error.
27.93 -> This can prevent you from improving
29.55 -> or updating your site with new software.
31.98 -> In this video, we'll show you how to fix it
34.35 -> using four simple methods.
36.27 -> Let's get started, but before we get too far,
39.18 -> I wanna let you know that there will be links
41.01 -> to more resources in the video's description.
43.11 -> And remember, subscribe and ring that bell
45.57 -> to get notifications for future helpful content.
48.54 -> Now, how to fix the "Installation Failed:
51.18 -> Destination Folder Already Exists" error.
58.71 -> When you manually upload a theme or plugin,
61.38 -> you might not realize that it's already installed
63.9 -> on your website.
65.07 -> If this happens, you'll receive the "Installation Failed:
68.19 -> Destination Folder Already Exists" error.
71.97 -> In a nutshell, this error message prevents you
74.49 -> from uploading the same files multiple times.
77.76 -> Once WordPress finds an existing folder with the same path,
81.33 -> it will alert you.
82.74 -> When this occurs, all you have to do is click
84.96 -> on the "Replace current with uploaded" button.
87.81 -> This will upload the new file
89.67 -> and delete the old one at the same time.
92.04 -> Alternatively, you can cancel the upload
94.38 -> and keep the old theme or plugin.
96.33 -> With either option, you can avoid the hassle
98.94 -> of editing site files.
100.53 -> However, it is important to note that this method
103.47 -> will only work after you upload a plugin
106.02 -> or theme in a zip file.
107.79 -> If WordPress doesn't allow you to simply replace
110.31 -> the existing folder with a new one,
112.2 -> you'll likely need to manually delete it.
114.78 -> Before you get started with this method,
116.7 -> it's always a good idea to back up your website.
119.67 -> You can even make an external backup if you're worried
122.37 -> about editing your site's files incorrectly.
124.53 -> This is something you should do
126.06 -> anytime you plan to modify site files directly.
129.42 -> Then, you'll need to check how your hosting provider
132.15 -> manages site files.
133.8 -> Depending on your web host, you'll likely use
136.5 -> either a file transfer protocol client, or cPanel.
139.65 -> Certain hosting providers enable you to access site files
142.74 -> with an FTP client.
144.33 -> Essentially, this will connect to your website server,
147.69 -> allowing you to browse and edit your files.
150.3 -> Before you connect to an FTP client,
152.76 -> you'll need to find your log in credentials.
154.8 -> Usually, your hosting provider
156.6 -> will give you this information.
158.49 -> If you have a Kinsta hosting plan,
160.47 -> you can start by opening your MyKinsta dashboard.
163.35 -> Then navigate to sites.
164.97 -> After that, click on the website
166.8 -> you want to connect to an FTP client.
169.23 -> On the info page of your website,
170.91 -> find the SFTP or SSH section.
174.21 -> This will give you your username, password,
176.7 -> host name and port number.
178.59 -> Be sure to keep this tab open so you can easily
181.17 -> copy and paste this information later.
184.47 -> Next, open an FTP client.
187.14 -> FileZilla is a popular option that supports FTP,
190.357 -> FTPS and SFTP access.
193.5 -> Plus, it's free to download.
195.6 -> With a Kinsta hosting plan, you'll have to change
198.15 -> FileZilla settings to support SSH file transfer protocol.
202.2 -> Like FTP, SFTP will enable you to access
206.07 -> and edit your site's files.
207.99 -> Only SFTP will use a secure channel to transfer files.
212.19 -> To allow FileZilla to support SFTP,
214.86 -> go to "File," then "Site Manager."
216.99 -> Then click on a new site and give it a name.
219.54 -> For the protocol setting,
220.65 -> change it to "SFTP-SSH File Transfer Protocol".
226.44 -> Underneath this section, copy and paste
228.45 -> your host name and port number.
230.07 -> After this, click on "Connect."
233.22 -> In the popup window that follows, enter your username
236.19 -> and password for your Kinsta server.
238.41 -> This is the information you found previously
240.75 -> in your MyKinsta dashboard.
242.67 -> Then select "Okay" to finish connecting your website.
245.73 -> If your website successfully connects to FileZilla,
248.61 -> you'll see your site files in the remote site section.
251.64 -> To delete the destination folder, select "Public"
254.55 -> then "WP Content."
256.44 -> Then, open either the plugins or themes folder,
259.86 -> depending on which software is causing the issue.
262.65 -> Next, find the folder that's named after the plugin
265.53 -> or theme that you want to install.
267.81 -> Since this existing folder is preventing you
270.12 -> from installing a new version, you'll need to
272.28 -> right click on it and delete it.
274.29 -> Now you can go back to your WordPress dashboard
276.87 -> and reinstall your new plugin or theme.
279.24 -> As an alternative to an FTP client,
281.46 -> some hosting providers use cPanel.
283.8 -> This gives you a user-friendly control dashboard
286.41 -> to view and edit site files.
288.72 -> This makes it an effective option for users
291.09 -> without technical knowledge.
292.62 -> Before you start using cPanel, you'll need to find
295.17 -> your log in credentials from your web host.
297.39 -> Usually, hosting providers will provide a direct access link
301.17 -> for your cPanel account after you purchase a hosting plan.
304.53 -> However, you can also use these links
306.96 -> to access your cPanel at any time.
309.27 -> After you open your cPanel dashboard,
311.49 -> locate the public HTML folder.
314.13 -> Inside you'll find the WP Content folder
317.07 -> which contains all of the data for your themes and plugins.
320.82 -> In WP Content, choose either the plugins or themes folder.
324.84 -> This will depend on the software
326.37 -> that you are trying to install on your website.
329.19 -> If you'd like to delete a certain plugin,
331.38 -> open the plugins folder and look for a folder
333.63 -> named after that plugin.
335.07 -> Here, we'll use the jetpack plugin as an example.
339.27 -> Select the folder, right click on it and choose "Delete."
342.39 -> Be careful not to remove the entire plugins folder,
345.21 -> just the folder with a specific plugin name.
347.82 -> If you need to delete a theme,
349.53 -> you can walk through these same steps.
351.69 -> You'll simply need to open the themes folder
353.85 -> and delete the file named after the desired theme instead.
357.42 -> Once you return to your WordPress dashboard,
359.85 -> you should notice that the plugin or theme
362.07 -> was removed from your website.
363.42 -> Now, you can try to reinstall the software again.
366.87 -> As a more efficient method, you can delete
368.94 -> an existing folder using the WordPress CLI, or WP-CLI.
373.74 -> This is WordPress's Command Line Interface,
376.68 -> which you can use to perform many administrative tasks.
379.86 -> Since WP-CLI has a text-based interface,
383.61 -> you can implement commands to delete plugins,
386.55 -> add user roles, moderate comments, and more.
389.91 -> This can be much faster than having to navigate
392.7 -> through site files and an FTP client.
395.31 -> However, keep in mind that this method
398.13 -> requires some experience with WP-CLI commands,
401.58 -> which can be difficult for beginners.
403.35 -> To get started using WP-CLI, you'll first have to make sure
407.25 -> to meet the minimum requirements.
409.35 -> It's recommended that you have a Unix-like environment,
412.517 -> PHP version 5.6 or later, and at least WordPress 3.7.
418.14 -> Once you have insured you meet the requirements,
420.42 -> go to your MyKinsta dashboard.
422.61 -> In the SFTP/SSH information, find the SSH terminal command.
429.84 -> Next, you can copy and paste
431.64 -> this command into your terminal.
434.22 -> After you enter the password for your Kinsta account,
436.74 -> you should be able to access your site's files.
439.74 -> If you need to delete an existing theme,
441.99 -> you can use this command.
445.05 -> You'll simply need to replace "twentytwelve"
447.27 -> with your theme name.
448.86 -> Alternatively, you can enter this command
451.17 -> to delete a plugin.
452.46 -> Instead of "Hello," be sure to include the name
455.1 -> of the specific plugin you want to remove.
457.86 -> Once you see that your command was successful,
460.26 -> you can return to your WordPress dashboard.
462.48 -> This should allow you to upload the desired theme
464.7 -> or plugin again without receiving an error.
467.1 -> If you don't wanna take the time to connect to an FTP client
470.19 -> or WP-CLI, you can download the File Manager Plugin.
474.42 -> With this tool, you can edit, delete, and upload folders
477.87 -> without ever leaving your WordPress dashboard.
480.54 -> First, go to "Plugins," then "Add new."
483.27 -> After searching for the File Manager Plugin,
485.76 -> install and activate it.
488.13 -> Then, click on the "WP File Manager" tab.
491.16 -> Here you'll see your site files, similar to using
494.28 -> an FTP client or cPanel.
496.89 -> Now, you'll need to find the existing destination folder.
500.82 -> To do this, navigate to "Public" then "WP Content."
505.685 -> If you need to delete a certain theme,
507.66 -> double click on the themes folder.
509.79 -> For plugins, click on the "Plugins" folder.
512.37 -> Find the specific theme or plugin you want to delete.
515.25 -> Like the other methods on this list, you can right click
517.92 -> on the folder and simply delete it.
521.82 -> To finish the removal process, select "Remove."
524.46 -> This will automatically delete the folder
526.35 -> for that piece of software.
527.79 -> Finally, go back to your plugins or themes page.
531.15 -> You'll see that the plugin or theme was deactivated
533.67 -> and the file was removed.
535.26 -> Now you can re-upload the correct software.
537.75 -> You shouldn't see the "Installation Failed:
539.76 -> Destination Folder Already Exists" error anymore.
543.18 -> After you've successfully uploaded a new tool, keep in mind
547.05 -> that it's best to carefully monitor the performance
549.6 -> of your site in the following days, as your new software
552.93 -> could be incompatible with your preexisting add-ons.
556.2 -> With Kinsta, you can easily keep an eye
558.66 -> on your site's performance using our APM tool.
563.67 -> Looking for a quality local development solution?
566.85 -> With DevKinsta in a single click, you can design, develop
570.45 -> and deploy new WordPress projects from your local machine.
573.96 -> Plus it's 100% free to use,
576.72 -> even if you aren't a Kinsta customer.
578.85 -> Download today at kinsta.com/devkinsta.
582.39 -> Thank you so much for watching.
584.13 -> If you found this video helpful,
585.57 -> please don't forget to like, subscribe,
587.7 -> and hit the notification bell for more tutorials,
589.83 -> explainers and helpful content like this.
591.858 -> (upbeat music)
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po1-k73coLo