How to Upload Theme on WordPress

Uploading a theme to WordPress takes about two minutes once you know where to click. The only part that trips people up is the file itself, and that has an easy fix.

Here is the whole thing, step by step.

Before You Start

You need two things:

• The theme file you downloaded, which should be a .zip file
• Your WordPress login, with admin access

That is it. You do not need FTP or any special software for a normal theme install.

Step by Step

1. Log in to your dashboard

Go to your site address followed by /wp-admin and log in.

2. Go to Appearance, then Themes

In the left-hand menu, hover over Appearance and click Themes.

3. Click Add New

You will see a button at the top of the page. Click it.

4. Click Upload Theme

This swaps the theme browser for an upload box.

5. Choose your zip file

Click Choose File, find the theme zip on your computer, and select it.

6. Click Install Now

Wait a few seconds. WordPress will unpack the theme and tell you when it is done.

7. Activate it

Click Activate. Your new theme is now live.

The Error Almost Everyone Hits

At some point you will probably see this:

“The package could not be installed. The theme is missing the style.css stylesheet.”

This is not broken. It nearly always means you uploaded the wrong zip.

When you buy a theme, the download often contains everything: the theme, the documentation, extra files, sometimes a child theme. WordPress does not want all that. It only wants the theme folder itself.

How to fix it

1. Unzip the file you downloaded.
2. Look inside. You are hunting for a folder that contains a file called style.css.
3. When you find that folder, that is the one WordPress wants.
4. Zip that folder on its own.
5. Upload the new zip.

It will install first time.

The other common version of this problem is uploading a .rar file. WordPress only accepts .zip. Unpack the rar, then zip the theme folder properly.

A Few Things Worth Doing

• Back up first. Changing themes changes how your whole site looks. A backup means you can undo it.
• Use a child theme if you plan to edit code. Otherwise your changes disappear the next time the theme updates.
• Check your site on a phone straight after. Most of your visitors are on one.
• Do not delete your old theme immediately. Give the new one a week first.

Common Questions

Will I lose my content?

No. Your posts, pages and images live in the database and stay exactly where they are. Only the design changes.

You may lose theme-specific settings though, like custom widgets, colours or homepage layouts that the old theme controlled. Those often need rebuilding.

My site looks broken after switching. What now?

Usually the new theme just needs setting up. Check Appearance > Customize and your menus under Appearance > Menus, since menus often need reassigning to the new theme’s locations.

Can I upload a theme without buying one?

Yes. The free theme directory is built into that same Add New screen. You can search and install without any file at all.

Should I avoid free or pirated premium themes?

Avoid pirated ones completely. They very often contain hidden malicious code, and cleaning an infected site costs far more than the theme did. Free themes from the official directory are perfectly safe.

Related Guides

• Fixing the style.css Theme Error
• Choosing a Fast WordPress Theme
• Why You Should Never Use Nulled Themes

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