How to Resolve the Error “Destination Folder Already Exists” in WordPress

Do you get the error ‘Destination folder already exists in WordPress? This problem normally occurs during the installation of a theme or a plugin, preventing you from completing the procedure. This tutorial will demonstrate how to resolve the destination folder already exists error in WordPress.

What Causes the WordPress Destination Folder Already Exists Error?

When attempting to install a WordPress theme or plugin, this error occurs. WordPress places the zip file containing your plugin or theme in a folder named after the file.

If a folder with the same name already exists, WordPress will terminate the installation and display the following error message:

The destination folder is already present: /home/user/example.com/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/

The plugin installation failed.

The first step is to check your themes or plugins page to determine if it is already installed on your site.

If it hasn’t already been installed, this could signify one of two things:

  1. A prior attempt to delete the plugin or theme failed, and the plugin / theme folder was left behind.
  2. An earlier installation attempt was aborted, leaving an empty target folder.

In each situation, there is a folder named after the theme or plugin you are attempting to install. This folder is preventing WordPress from finishing the installation.

That being stated, let’s look at how to quickly resolve the destination folder already exists a problem in WordPress.

WordPress Error: Destination Folder Already Exists

To begin, connect to your WordPress site via an FTP client or the cPanel File Manager.

After connecting, navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/ or /wp-content/themes/ folders (depending on what you were trying to install).

Now, locate and delete the folder named after the plugin or theme you were attempting to install.

You can now return to your WordPress admin area and retry installing the plugin or theme as usual.

You should be able to install your WordPress plugin or theme without encountering any problems.

We hope this article has shown you how to simply resolve the destination folder already exists error in WordPress.

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