How to fix ‘The package could not be installed. No valid plugins were found’ in WordPress
If you encounter the error “The package could not be installed. No valid plugins were found” while installing a plugin, it usually means the incorrect ZIP file is being uploaded to WordPress.
Why This Error Occurs
Most plugin downloads come as a compressed package (ZIP file) that contains multiple files and folders. However, WordPress requires the main plugin ZIP file for installation.
If you upload the outer ZIP file directly, WordPress may not detect a valid plugin structure, resulting in this error.
How to Fix It
Follow the steps below to resolve the issue:
1. Extract the Downloaded File
Unzip the downloaded package on your computer.
2. Locate the Main Plugin ZIP
Inside the extracted folder, you will find the actual plugin ZIP file.
This is the file required for WordPress installation.
3. Upload the Correct ZIP File
Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to:
Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
Then upload the main plugin ZIP file (not the full downloaded package).
4. Install and Activate
Once uploaded, click Install Now, then Activate after installation completes.
Important Note
Always ensure you are uploading the correct inner plugin ZIP file, not the full archive downloaded from the source. This is the most common cause of this error.
Need Help?
If you still face issues, please contact our support team for assistance. We are always ready to help ensure smooth installation.
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Tuhin Rana
December 25, 2019thank you for quick reply.