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If you’re still trying to figure out why Theme installation in WordPress fails, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s learn how to fix the problem.
These errors occur for several reasons, from human errors to WordPress infrastructure. If you can’t update a Theme, you can’t update your site’s layouts.
So, let’s proceed further and learn how to fix theme installation errors in WordPress.
Theme Installation Failed in WordPress
We will explore why WordPress themes fail during installation in the following lines.
As a beginner, you don’t need to change anything in WordPress, especially if you don’t know the specifics. However, if you are running a custom infrastructure, you can check yourself if something is easy to fix.
The following reasons are general. Anyone using the WordPress platform can encounter such errors while installing themes. Try these suggestions one by one and see if something fascinates you.
Reason 1: Core Files are missing in WordPress
Introduction
Core files refer to a Theme’s standard files. Once a Support Team has created a theme, the files under which you see a Theme’s root are called the “Core Theme Files”.
For a Theme to work correctly, a theme’s core files must be present under a theme’s core structure. For more information on a theme’s core files, see the official resource of the theme you’re interested in.
Front end scene
Using WordPress, once you initiate theme installation, a white screen shows if your theme is experiencing missing file errors after you click “Upload” or “Install.”
In this case, users can see a prompt that clarifies that essential files are missing from the theme’s core structure. In this scenario, users can’t continue theme installation.
What to do?
Verify from the theme’s official resource if the package is valid and contains the necessary files.
Here is why core files in a theme’s package go missing:
- Premium themes, which are accessible online, have the necessary files.
- Nulled themes may contain irrelevant, missing files, sometimes available at a lower cost than official plans.
Key point
So, what should you do if you’re experiencing “files missing errors in WordPress” when you install your favorite theme? Let’s explain.
- Always download WordPress themes from official resources
- If possible, sign up for a premium theme
- Do not use nulled themes, freely available packages online
- Focus on using updated versions. Once a theme has been installed, see if the theme has rolled out a new update.
Reason 2: Wrong File Format
Introduction
WordPress themes are made of building blocks. The standard coded files of a theme that help WordPress run themes are called the “building blocks.”
For example, the style.css file in WordPress themes is used to help WordPress shape pages, posts, and overall design.
WordPress won’t install a theme or plugin if one of the building blocks is missing or has an incorrect file type.
Front end scene
As discussed above, WordPress will prompt a user when an error in file types is encountered.
Once you’ve started uploading a theme, here is what WordPress will be doing next:
- WordPress receives the theme’s core file package
- The system extracts the Zip package
- The files are checked, and the system proceeds to install the package
What to do?
Even if the files are correct on theme installation, misspelled file types will return errors, and the theme installation will not continue.
See if you need to download the right package. For example, here is a list of reasons users can unconsciously sign up for in WordPress:
- If you’re downloading a Theme from a marketplace, see if you’ve downloaded the complete package. Sometimes, users may download Child versions of a theme.
- If you’re using a custom-built theme, see if you’ve misspelled file types for the theme files, such as style.css.
- Developers may change a theme’s core files if they’ve recently undergone WordPress changes. Ask if the core files have been converted, altered, or re-saved to different formats.
Key point
Use a staging site for theme testing. In this case, consider the following causes:
- A staging site is built for testing purposes. Like regular WordPress sites, a staging site can help you avoid errors on live sites before a theme, script, or plugin is uploaded to the money site.
- Extract a theme package to see if suspicious files are present. If you see files other than PHP, CSS, JavaScript, or images – consult theme developers if you’ve purchased the theme from an official resource or created a custom theme with developers’ assistance.
Reason 3: Syntax Errors
Introduction
Syntax errors occur when a coding file contains mis-typed source code structures.
Developers can create syntax errors. If a theme or custom package is reviewed only once, syntax errors are common in this case.
If you’ve encountered a syntax error, your theme installation can’t continue. You must consult a Support Team or theme officials if you’ve bought a premium license.
Front end scene
In regular cases, WordPress prints an output message on the screen when it encounters a syntax error.
In this case, the file’s name That caused or contained a syntax error is printed on the screen. Sometimes, users can also see the file’s absolute path on the server.
When this happens, WordPress can’t proceed further. The white screen with a printed message stops the process.
What to do?
The only way to fix the WordPress theme’s syntax errors is to restore the source code. So, in this case, here is what you should keep in mind:
- The theme itself doesn’t contain corrupted files; there is another story of syntax errors.
- It would help if you pointed out which files contain syntax errors.
- Refrain from making changes yourself. You may break things entirely.
Key point
- Syntax errors are standard, as compared to other reasons.
- Only change a theme’s files if you know what you’re doing. Developers can help you better.
- If you’ve made some changes recently revert to the previous state if you know what you’ve changed.
- Always back up your site before making changes. This can help you restore WordPress in case something has gone wrong.
- See a theme’s official forums for a fix. Such routines are often reported to a theme’s developers. So, official forums can help you fix regular errors.
Reason 4: File size Limit
Introduction
Every user can use a certain amount of memory on a web server. This is often set up in shared hosting plans.
So, in this case – you may get errors if memory has reached its limits on the server.
One way to see if the memory is stable is to ask the hosting support agents. Alternatively, you can also check your hosting cPanel interface for more information.
The point is that your themes, 3rd party scripts, or plugins may not continue installation if memory has reached its limits. Such errors occur if the server infrastructure or PHP is configured to run files of a specific size. If the file you’re trying to run is more extensive, you can see memory limit issues for larger files in WordPress.
Front end scene
It depends.
As discussed above, WordPress can show memory indication on a white screen. If this happens, the ongoing process, such as theme installation – stops.
What to do?
Users need to see if their site’s memory limit on the server has reached its limits.
As discussed above, there are two ways to see memory stats:
- Ask the hosting representatives, support agents, or official developers.
- Check memory stats in Hosting cPanel
- If the error resonates with PHP memory limits, you can resent and increase them without support agents. For an in-depth process, see Google’s information.
Key point
Here is what you should remember when dealing with WordPress’s memory limits.
- First, figure out what kind of memory limits you’re dealing with in WordPress. For example, are you coping with hosting memory limits, PHP memory limits, file size limits, or something else you’ve missed?
- Second, ask the concerned individuals if you need to be more technical and know how to proceed.
- Take site backups before making any changes to WordPress.
Note: Once you have fixed the memory allocation, you can try again to see if the theme installation problem has been fixed successfully.
Reason 5: Wrong ZIP File
Introduction
Zip archives help handle large amounts of data. In other words, Zip packages are used for compression, security, and file management.
Sometimes, attackers target zip archives. They run various malicious vectors for unintentional intent. Such attacks can affect file structures, types, and the integrity of Zip files.
The errors related to Zip packages are more geared towards affecting installation, such as the ones you can see during theme installation.
Front end scene
The installation process will not accept Zip archives. You can also see the system reporting about corrupted archives.
What to do?
Let’s consider the solution.
- Make sure you’ve downloaded theme Zip archives from official resources.
- Make sure your theme’s license is valid and is working correctly.
- If not, consider scanning the theme’s zip file with a file scanner application. Users can use Virus Total to see if a theme package contains malware. In this case, upload the zip package, and Virus Total will help you discover whether to go with the package.
- Users can also see multiple antivirus tools reporting about the Zip package if the file is corrupt. The data is in the report generated by Virus Total.
Key point
A theme can return errors during installation, even if the files are not corrupt or have syntax errors. Instead, Zip files can return errors.
The platform you’ve used to create a Theme’s zip is no longer supported or available.
Make sure you have tested and considered various possibilities. You should seek developers’ consultation if you need to be more technical and need knowledge.
Moreover, site backups should be taken before making any changes to WordPress.
Reason 6: Memory Limit
Introduction
Above, we described how memory limit for allowed file size can affect theme installation.
Let’s talk more about the memory limit on the server.
Every site is hosted on a web server platform. Your hosting plan may have memory limitations.
For example, according to your hosting plan, you may be able to care about specific limitations. For instance, basic hosting plans can only use data space ranging from 10-20 GB, depending on which plan you’re using for WordPress.
Let’s explain in more detail how the memory limit on the server can affect theme installation in WordPress.
Front end scene
Sometimes, WordPress can entirely freeze when installing a WordPress theme. In this case, the system stops responding as the theme installation process suddenly reaches the memory limits allowed on the web server plan.
On the other hand, a white screen can help you figure out the matter. You can see an error That shows stats about memory limits in WordPress.
For example, WordPress can only allow a specific range of memory allocation for folders on the server. These settings can be set on the server’s end, not on the WordPress part.
However, such scenarios can prevent users from installing WordPress themes, plugins, or custom scripts.
So, what should you do to deal with such scenarios in WordPress? Let’s explain further.
What to do?
Here is a list of fixes you can go for in WordPress:
- Contact hosting support agents and ask them about your experience. They can help you figure out what happened.
- Increase memory size limits for your WordPress site. If you need to be more technical to proceed further, the support agents can help.
- Upgrade your hosting plan. This option is more general and solves the problem as your site grows daily. However, depending on the hosting company’s pricing structure, it can cost more.
- Ask hosting support agents to check your files for malicious malware entries. If your site has malware, the installation process may return errors even if sufficient space exists. In this case, the malware entries are disrupting everyday WordPress routines.
Key point
Let’s consider the key points:
- Proceed cautiously if asked to change the WordPress core files to increase memory limits. Keep everything the same if you know what you’re doing to WordPress.
- Consult your system’s developers for more information if you’re running a custom theme or WordPress setup.
- Watch out for official email notifications from the web hosting company. Such emails contain warnings, indications, and alerts about how your site is performing.
- If possible, you can also install the WordFence plugin in WordPress. This plugin can help users get email alerts about your site’s security, file changes, malware, live attacks, and hacking attempts in WordPress. The free version is enough for beginners; the premium version is more tailored toward advanced users.
Reason 7: Theme Core Files are corrupt
Introduction
Like WordPress core, a Theme contains its core files.
Core files are standard files shipped by theme developers that help systems run WordPress themes. These files are the building blocks for creating custom layouts according to a theme design.
WordPress itself can’t help you install a theme if it contains invalid files. In this case, you’ll see errors while installing the suspected theme.
Let’s explore further and learn what measures we should take.
Front end scene
The front end may become dead or not respond at all. WordPress’s errors can sometimes turn the system into a White Screen of Death.
If you see such errors, you only need to take action if you know what you’re doing because changing WordPress essentials could harm your WordPress website.
Generally, if a theme core contains invalid files, it will not install. You can see this happening once you upload a WordPress theme package. In the WordPress dashboard, you can see a relevant message once the upload process has been finished.
For more information on testing WordPress themes, refer to this resource.
What to do?
Checking your theme files becomes necessary, especially if you have downloaded your theme from a 3rd party source.
This happens mostly when “shared” theme files are available freely online. According to a theme’s official terms, such themes are not legal.
If you have encountered such a situation, make sure you check for the following use cases:
- Test your theme files with a malware-checking tool online. To proceed, you can use the Virus Total. The tool helps you scan your files for malicious entries. It can check a file with more than 30 antiviruses.
- If the theme vendor provides a validator, use it wisely to check for malicious entries in the theme.
- Use an A/B testing site to check your theme before uploading to the live website.
- Make sure you have installed the WordFence plugin in WordPress. This plugin helps users quickly scan site files and notifies them if a conflict or change in files is noticed.
- Please compare the theme’s files with the latest official file structure. You will need to see if you have a premium license for the theme. You can download and install a fresh copy from its official resource if the theme is unpaid.
- If, for example, your site is running a custom theme, the only thing you can do is contact the theme developers. They can better help you than trying to fix things yourself.
Key point
Here is a list of ways you can prevent theme files from corruption.
- Always use premium themes from its official resources. Do not try to save costs by downloading nulled or freely available premium themes from 3rd party sources online.
- Use online virus scanners to see if your theme is corrupt.
- If you use a custom theme, it would be better to test its security with professionals. This helps you avoid hidden loopholes in WordPress themes. If you can afford it, you can always prevent hacking attacks that cause extraordinary expenses, loss, and data corruption.
- Always back up your site’s stats when they are working correctly. This backup can help you restore your site if you encounter trouble.
Professional Tips
- Remember to use official WordPress themes. It is better to use a free option from the official resource than to download and use a nulled theme that is freely available online.
- Don’t opt in for low-cost themes. Sometimes, people use to sell theme licenses. This can cause legal issues, data loss if the theme core contains malicious entries, or hacking attempts if the package contains a trojan or backdoor.
- If you have developed a custom theme, it would be better to hide the theme name and license information from the public. For more information, consult your theme Support Team and ask how to proceed.
- The top-ranking themes on the WordPress official themes directory are what you should be using. These themes work correctly, fast, and are ready to load correctly on all devices. You can see example sites on Google if you don’t know how to choose a theme.
- You can also hire freelance testers to test your theme for various factors, such as security, malware, bugs, syntax errors, or page speed adjustments.
- Please shortlist a few themes for your site. In this case, you can check them individually and see which fits your choice. It also depends on the nature of your website and which type of theme you should choose for your WordPress presentation.
- Last, obtain a list of relevant competitors in your niche. See their sites individually and check how they have designed their business websites. Once you know what to do, proceed cautiously while choosing a WordPress theme. If you like a website but don’t know which theme they’re using, you can use “WordPress Theme Detectors” to find the name and version of the theme applied to it.
Conclusion
That’s it.
You have learned how to figure out and fix issues while installing a WordPress theme. This resource was tailored towards beginners. If you don’t know what you’re doing in WordPress, don’t proceed.
For more information, consult your theme support agents or ask for support in WordPress forums. You can also consult us for more information on how to keep your WordPress sites error-free.
See our pricing plans for WordPress theme support, maintenance, and page speed improvements for high ranking on search pages.