Troubleshooting “Update Failed: Download Failed” Error

Error: “Update failed: download failed. Destination directory for file streaming does not exist or is not writable”

This error occurs when WordPress cannot find or access the temporary directory required to download and extract files during updates or installations. This issue often arises because the temp folder under wp-content is missing or not writable.

Understanding the Issue

The temporary folder is used by WordPress for tasks such as:

• Downloading plugin and theme updates
• Installing new plugins and themes
• Handling WordPress core updates

If this folder is missing or inaccessible, WordPress will fail to complete these tasks, resulting in the following error:

Update failed: download failed. Destination directory for file streaming does not exist or is not writable.

Location of the Temporary Folder

The temporary folder, typically named temp, should exist inside the wp-content directory of your WordPress installation:

wp-content/temp/

Resolving the Issue

Follow these steps to fix the error:

1. Check if the Folder Exists: Use an FTP client or your hosting file manager to navigate to the wp-content directory. Look for the temp folder.
2. Recreate the Folder: If the temp folder is missing, create a new folder named temp inside wp-content.
3. Set Permissions: Ensure the temp folder has the correct permissions. Set it to 755 or 775, depending on your server configuration, to make it writable.
4. Monitor for Automatic Deletions: If the folder disappears again, a plugin or external process may be deleting it. Consider disabling unnecessary plugins and monitoring folder activity.

Check for Plugin Interference

Certain plugins, such as “User Role Editor,” can sometimes interfere with WordPress updates. Try disabling such plugins temporarily and attempt the update again to see if the error persists.

Verify “wp-config.php” Integrity

Sometimes, the error may occur if a plugin has modified the “wp-config.php” file, affecting the file streaming process. To address this:

Step 1. Via a File Manager plugin inside WordPress or use sFTP access.

Step 2. Select and open wp-config.php file for editing.

Step 3. Search for ‘temp’

Step 4. Now you can use multiple methods to fix the issue.

a) Replace the existing file path for temp directory to define(‘WP_TEMP_DIR’, ABSPATH . ‘/../temp/’);

b) Remove the temporary path line.

Conclusion

By following these steps and troubleshooting the potential causes of the “Update Failed: Download Failed” error, you can resolve the issue and proceed with your WordPress updates smoothly. If you encounter persistent difficulties or require further assistance, feel free to contact our support team.