How do I fix those Wordpress errors....??

13 replies
I have recently added a Wordpress blog to one of my domains, and added a bunch of plugins to it. I am getting the following errors on my Wordpress dashboard but I don't know how I fix those. Here are the errors:

Critical WordPress Mobile Pack Issue
Not able to cache images to *location*. That directory is not writable. Please ensure that the web server has write- and execute-access to it.

Not able to install theme files to *location*. That directory is not writable. Please ensure that the web server has write- and execute-access to it.

(Deactivate and re-activate the WordPress Mobile Pack once resolved.)

I checked my file permissions but the settings on there are the same as every other plugin I have. Or is it possibly an issue with my actual server as it says 'web server'? If someone could let me know how I can fix this issue that would be a great help.
#errors #fix #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    added a bunch of plugins
    People shouldn't do that... unless they really, really need those plugins. In most cases they don't.

    I checked my file permissions
    ...except the error message tells you about directory permissions not files. It is never the plugin file's permission the issue. It is always the directory (and, eventually, files in it) that the plugin needs to write in.
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  • Profile picture of the author nthmarketing
    I'd say remove the plugins and then put them back one at a time until you see which is giving you issues and go from there.

    Fred
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    • Profile picture of the author Kerri88
      Thanks for the replies. The plugins I added are plugins I use on my other Wordpress site, so they are ones that I will use. Does anyone else use the mobile pack plugin? I'm thinking aboit deleting it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ifonly
    You should just reinstall whole wordpress. Some plugins can damage wordpress database
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by ifonly View Post

      You should just reinstall whole wordpress. Some plugins can damage wordpress datebase
      Where did you learn that idiotic "troubleshoot and fix" technique?

      Everybody who has no idea about WP keeps repeating this brainfart.
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      • Profile picture of the author ifonly
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        Where did you learn that idiotic "troubleshoot and fix" technique?

        Everybody who has no idea about WP keeps repeating this brainfart.
        You know, I am working for 3 years with wordpress. Had some really bad situations that only reinstall helped. Some plugins can corrupt whole wordpress database without ability for easy fix
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        • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
          Originally Posted by ifonly View Post

          You know, I am working for 3 years with wordpress.
          Kewl. I won
          I have over 7 years, LOL
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        • Profile picture of the author Tony Marriott
          A good standard approach to fixing any Wordpress issue is to simply remove as much of the likely problem areas as posible to try and get back to apoint where the problem is gone. Then you can move forward and see what's causing the problem. Then you have half a chance of fixing it.

          Assuming you have no idea what you have done to create the issue.

          If the problem goes away at any point then stop.

          1. deactivate all the plugins
          2. change to default theme
          3. change the name of the wp-contents-plugin directory (to something like plugins.stop)
          4. If you don't have too many posts then put them all into the trash (you can pull them back later). If you have a lot then just trash the most recent ones (to before the problem)

          If you now have a working (albeit bare) blog then put everything back one at a time until it breaks again. Then you have the culprit.

          In your particular case the error message is pretty clear (error messages can lie though!).

          It tells you the specific plugin and the problem

          "to *location*. That directory is not writable. Please ensure that the web server has write- and execute-access to it."

          I assume *location* is really a directory path?

          This directory will be on your web server and within the Wordpress installation. Use Filezilla or similar FTP program to check the directory permissions of the directory and ensure they are as specified in the error message suggestion.

          see Changing File Permissions « WordPress Codex for details on Directory permissions.

          Of course it could be that the directory path is pointing somewhere it shouldn't so make sure the directory is somewhere in your Wordpress directory structure.

          If all that fails then install a fresh wordpress install in another directory and install the same plugin - do you still have the problem?

          happy hunting
          oh! did I mention back-ups?
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          • Profile picture of the author Kerri88
            Thank you for the advice. I only know the basics of wordpress but I am trying to learn more about it.

            I have checked the locations that the errors are referring to, and can see that the 'write' permission is unchecked on both those locations and the numeric value is 755. Should I change either the 755 numeric value or check the 'write' boxes?

            Or shall I simply scrap the plugin? When I deactivate the plugin, the problem disappears.
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            • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
              Originally Posted by Kerri88 View Post

              Thank you for the advice. I only know the basics of wordpress but I am trying to learn more about it.

              I have checked the locations that the errors are referring to, and can see that the 'write' permission is unchecked on both those locations and the numeric value is 755. Should I change either the 755 numeric value or check the 'write' boxes?

              Or shall I simply scrap the plugin? When I deactivate the plugin, the problem disappears.
              If you can do without the plugin, scrap it.

              If you simply must have it, you can change the permissions by either changing the number or clicking the write box, either way will work.
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              The 2nd Amendment, 1789 - The Original Homeland Security.

              Gun control means never having to say, "I missed you."

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              • Profile picture of the author Kerri88
                Thanks SteveJohnson, I tried changing the number so it could write the files then I changed it back. This worked great, thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author cd4337
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        Where did you learn that idiotic "troubleshoot and fix" technique?

        Everybody who has no idea about WP keeps repeating this brainfart.
        Have to agree with Horvath. That is like fixing a dead car battery by buying a new car.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Bykov
    Banned
    A lot of plugins often cause a lot of issues. Use only those plugins you actually need.
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