Can't install or update plugins despite chmod, chown and stuff…

  • Hi everyone,

    I have a big frustration with my plugins directory.
    I’ve been through a lot of forums but none of their solutions worked.

    Here’s my issue: I have several wordpress installations on a dedicated server I’ve set up. After setting permissions for files and folders, I can easily upload images in the upload folder, but I can’t install/update/delete plugins and it makes me mad.

    I’ve tried a 777 recursive on all files and folders in plugins/ (I know it’s bad but it was for the test).

    I’ve tried to make the plugins folder owned by the server user (www-data). By default, I set everything owned by my own user account, and by the www-data group (in which my user account is included). And then I set every folder in 755 and every file in 644. For specific folders where WordPress needs access, I set them in 775 (e.g. for the uploads folder).

    And WordPress doesn’t give me any clue! The only error it gives me is “Unable to create directory“. That’s all. It doesn’t even give me the name or the path of the folder it’s trying to update or install. And WP_DEBUG, when turned to true, doesn’t give me anything.

    I have another WordPress on my server on which plugins update works! And the permissions are the same! This is totally nonsense!

    Heeeeelp me pleaaaaaaase!!!

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

  • Is SeLinux running, nagman? That can create problems of this nature. Thanks to @claytonjames for that tip.

    Thread Starter nagman

    (@nagman)

    Er… I don’t know, but I don’t think so. If it’s not installed by default, no.

    It would be helpful to know what operating system and httpd server you are using. If you are using Apache, check the contents of httpd.conf and look at the values for User and Group. Some installations use different accounts for static data files (html, jpeg, shtml, etc.) and files that php is going to change. However, www-data appears to be correct for Ubuntu. Also, try to change owner (chown) for all of the files and directories in the directory structure used by WordPress, including the root directory.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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