How to Install a Downloaded WordPress Plugin

Oct 21, 2026

You install a downloaded plugin by uploading its zip file in your WordPress dashboard under Plugins “Add Plugin”, then clicking Activate. The steps below cover that method, how to install a newer version, and fixes for common problems.

Before You Start

You need three things:

  1. the plugin’s zip file saved on your computer,
  2. an administrator login for your WordPress website,
  3. and about five minutes.

Keep the file zipped. WordPress installs plugins from the zip file itself, so do not unzip it first.

Run these quick checks before you upload:

  • Check the file name. Make sure the file ends in .zip. Some computers, especially Macs using Safari, unzip downloads automatically, and you end up with a folder instead of a zip file. If that happens, right-click the folder and choose Compress to make a zip again, or change your browser setting and download it again.
  • Check for a zip inside a zip. Some downloads contain extra files, such as instructions or a license, with the actual plugin zip inside. Open the download, and if you see a second zip file inside it, that inner zip is the one to upload. PerfectReputations‘ plugins do not do this.
  • Back up your website. Take a fresh backup through your host or a backup plugin before installing anything new. A backup lets you undo any problem in minutes.
  • Test on staging when you can. If your host offers a staging copy of your website, install new plugins there first. Once everything works on staging, repeat the steps on your live website.

Upload From Your WordPress Dashboard

This is the standard method, and it works on almost every WordPress website. Use it first, and turn to Method 2 only if the upload fails.

  1. Log in to your dashboard. Go to yourdomain.com/wp-admin and sign in with an administrator account.
  2. Open the plugin installer. In the left menu, go to Plugins, then click Add New Plugin at the top of the page.
  3. Choose Upload. Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page. A box appears with a file picker.
  4. Select your zip file. Click Choose File, find the plugin’s zip file on your computer, and select it.
  5. Install it. Click Install Now. WordPress uploads the file, unpacks it, and shows a message saying the plugin installed successfully.
  6. Activate it. Click Activate Plugin. The plugin does nothing until you activate it, so do not skip this step.
  7. Find its settings. Most plugins add a menu item or a page under Settings. PerfectReputations plugins appear under the PerfectReputations menu in the left sidebar. Open the plugin’s settings and review them before you rely on it.

That is all most plugins need. If the plugin has a readme or setup guide, read it now for any first steps, such as entering a key or running a first scan.

If Something Goes Wrong

The good news is that if any plugin installs and has an issue, you can undo it either by deleting the plugin from WordPress’ own listing of plugins, or, worst case, just go to your website hosting provider’s dashboard (such as Plesk) and delete the plugin from the Plugins folder.