While WordPress is easy to use, some common mistakes can get you in trouble. Mistakes on your website are no fun. Some can only cause minor problems, while others can cause bigger problems. Visitors may not be able to access or use your website if it is down, updates or installations fail, or resources are lost. This damages your reputation and can affect the amount of money you make.
The good news is that the WordPress error you see on your site has probably been reported and fixed. It’s nearly impossible to know everything about every possible WordPress bug. But if you know some of the most common problems people have with WordPress, you can be prepared and fix them as soon as they arise.
One such is the ‘Update failed: The package could not be installed’ error. It occurs when attempting to install a package or update a system or software. And typically indicates issues with package dependencies, file permissions, or conflicts with existing installations. Troubleshooting this error may involve checking dependencies, verifying file permissions, or removing conflicting packages.
Where does the “Update Failed: The package could not be installed” Error appear?
The “Update Failed: The package could not be installed” error can appear in various software and systems that utilize package managers for updates or installations. This error may occur in operating systems like Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS), content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress or Drupal, or other software that relies on package management systems.
In the succeeding section, we’ll take you through the solutions to fix this error. Even if you are using a dedicated server, you can deploy any of these so that you get back on track.
How to fix the “Update Failed: The package could not be installed” error?
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Troubleshooting
Check each of the following items as part of your investigation into the error. After each attempt, make another go at the automatic download and update to help narrow down the possible causes.
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Available Disk Storage
Verify that your hosting account has sufficient free space to allow you to download, unpack, and then replace the plugin files in question. You should be able to do this in the control panel that was provided for your hosting account by the host (cPanel, etc.).
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Update PHP Version
Check to see that the WordPress installation, theme, and other plugins, etc. that you are using all work with the most recent version of PHP that is supported by your hosting account. You can determine the support and end of life status of your version as well as other versions by consulting the table labelled PHP Supported Versions. NOTE: It is possible that your installation will not support the most recent version of PHP if the various components of your installation do not support it.
You can restore PHP to its most recent version through CPanel’s MultiPHP Manager or your web host.
Whether or not the control panel for your hosting service allows you to manage the currently installed version of PHP. Make an effort to roll it back to the most recent version. You don’t need to pay any attention to this because there is a very slim chance that it could be the cause.
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Manually updating plugins is required
In case the automated update function of the plugin continues to malfunction, you may be required to manually update the plugin files.
- First, visit the website of the plugin developer or WordPress.org to obtain a copy of the most recent version of the plugin and save it to your computer.
- Second, ensure that a backup copy of the plugin version that is currently installed on your server has been created (older version). You can obtain a copy of it through the use of SFTP, the control panel of your WordPress website, or by downloading the complete archive of your website from your web host.
- After that, on the page for Plugins in the WordPress Admin area, deactivate and delete the older version of the plugin.
- The next step is to transfer the files that were extracted from the plugin to the directory that WordPress uses for its plugins (often /wp-content/plugins/).
- Test the plugin’s functionality after you have activated the latest version of the plugin on the WordPress plugin page.
Conclusion
Encountering the “Update Failed: The package could not be installed” error in WordPress can be frustrating. However, rest assured that this is a common issue with viable solutions. By following the troubleshooting steps discussed above and leveraging resources like Bluehost WordPress tutorials, you can effectively address this error, ensuring the smooth functioning and robust security of your WordPress website, whether hosted on Shared Hosting, VPS, or Specialized WordPress Hosting.
Remember to prioritize regular website backups before making any changes.
Hope this blog was insightful for you.
