Mac OS X version 10.8.5 Unable to create directory wp-content/uploads/2013/10

mguise
(@mguisemattguisecom)

10 years, 6 months ago

Hi WordPress Community

I’m new and I’ve seen that this is a topic that has been generally touched upon but my situation seems slightly more specific.

I am on a Mac OS X version 10.8.5. I have successfully installed WordPress locally on my computer but I’m having trouble installing a theme.

When I got to my WordPress dashboard and select Appearance/Themes/Install Themes/Upload and navigate to my zip theme Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/apps/wordpress/htdocs/wp-content/themes/CherryFramework.zip and select “Install Now” I get the following message.

“Unable to create directory wp-content/uploads/2013/10. Is its parent directory writable by the server?”

Not sure if you need to know this but in my web browser the path is http://localhost/wordpress/wp-admin/update.php?action=upload-theme.

When I “get info” for the following:
Applications folder – system is Read & Write, admin is Read & Write, everyone is Read only
XAMPP folder – system is Read & Write, admin is Read & Write, everyone is Read only
xamppfiles folder – system is Read & Write, admin is Read & Write, everyone is Read only
apps folder – User Name (Me) is Read & Write, admin is Read only, everyone is Read only
wordpress folder – User Name (Me) is Read & Write, admin is Read only, everyone is Read only
htdocs folder – User Name (Me) is Read & Write, admin is Read only, everyone is Read only
wp-content folder – User Name (Me) is Read & Write, admin is Read only, everyone is Read only
themes folder – User Name (Me) is Read & Write, admin is Read & Write, everyone is Read & Write
CherryFramework.zip – User Name (Me) is Read & Write, admin is Read & Write, everyone is Read & Write

So to me everything looks good. What am I doing? Why am I still getting that error message. Thanks in advance for your help.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 22 total)

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bascent
(@bascent)

10 years, 6 months ago

I am receiving the same message when trying to upload a zip file… “Unable to create directory wp-content/uploads/2013/10. Is its parent directory writable by the server?”
Can anyone help resolve this?

Thread Starter mguise
(@mguisemattguisecom)

10 years, 6 months ago

bascent are you on a Mac and if so what operating system?

bascent
(@bascent)

10 years, 6 months ago

Yes, thanks for your reply. 10.7.5. I set up MAMP PRO to develop a website locally. When it came time in the process to connect to WP, WP wanted me to import their provided copy and rename the config.inc.php file to wp-config.php. It seems to be the only way WP will connect. Not sure if that changed things where I can’t upload a theme. And not finding any help on WP. Did you resolve it for yourself? I am a complete newbie and don’t know code at all.

Thread Starter mguise
(@mguisemattguisecom)

10 years, 6 months ago

I had trouble with MAMP so I ended up using XAMPP to develop locally. I have not resolved this issue and I am still working on it. I have been building sites for a while but it’s not my full time gig. I know enough to get things done. However I am new to WordPress and I can see tumbleweeds blowing across this post due to zero activity from anyone in the WordPress Community. I/We need help.

If for some reason you figure this out please let me know and I will do the same. Together maybe we can resolve this. I’ll post anything relevant that might help us.

Good Luck

WPyogi
(@wpyogi)

10 years, 6 months ago

For a local install, you should be able to simply copy a theme folder into the theme’s folder.
paulwpxp
(@paulwp)

10 years, 6 months ago
What you should have in /htdocs is a folder (usually named wordpress but could be anything and it should be your sitename). For normal install, this folder is the root for WP where wp-config.php resides, also with other 3 main wp folders in it.

Example
```
/htdocs/mysitename/{everything-wp-is-here}
```
The url for the site is
```
http://localhost/mysitename
```
bascent
(@bascent)

10 years, 6 months ago

I ended up with a mess with MAMP. I had installed it awhile back, got it set up with WP, played with it a bit, and waited until my clients were ready to go. The Pro version expired. When I bought it and installed it, I ended up with 2 versions in my applications folder and that’s when the mess started with WP. So it’s all uninstalled, trashed, repaired disc, and re-downloaded. I’m just starting to set it all up again. I’m hoping to do multisite but haven’t found clear enough directions. It’s hard when you’re just starting to get instructions for “dummies”, yeah, the famous 5-minute install. The first round went okay after I found a YouTube video by Victoria Whitehead. This time it didn’t go well. Matt, if I figure this out I will surely share. Yes, it’s hard to find someone to answer in a timely manner. So, here i go… be back.

WPyogi
(@wpyogi)

10 years, 6 months ago

If you want a good Multisite resource, I’d recommend this:

http://halfelf.org/ebooks/wordpress-multisite-101/

bascent
(@bascent)

10 years, 6 months ago

Thanks, I’ll check it out. FYI, I re-installed MAMP & set up a database. Again, WP wants me to replace the code for the config file. Don’t know if this setup is going to go along any better. Will see.

Thread Starter mguise
(@mguisemattguisecom)

10 years, 6 months ago

Thanks for your response WPyogi. All my files are set up as you suggested. I actually unzipped the theme in my themes folder. Via my admin panel I went to Appearance/themes/Available Themes and activated the theme. I tried to install a plugin and I got the same response “Unable to create directory wp-content/uploads/2013/10. Is its parent directory writable by the server?” So I unzipped the plugin in the plugins folder and was able to activate it.
Cool, however I can’t keep this up forever. This template I bought from Template Monster instructed me to import some widgets. I try to open a widgets.json file and I get the same thing “Unable to create directory wp-content/uploads/2013/10. Is its parent directory writable by the server?”
I think it is a folder permission issue but I have done everything to my knowledge to give permission on these files installed on my Apple computer i.e. get info or the terminal. Could it be a database permission issue of some kind???
My client is patient because I am trying to learn WordPress rather than build a site from scratch. I’m starting to sweat a little because I am on borrowed time, and seeing little progress.
WPyogi can you help us with this or do you know anyone that can?
Oh and thanks for the multisite suggestion, it will come in handy…if I can get WordPress to work that is.
Good luck bascent, let me know how it goes. 

ijs_87
(@ijs_87)

10 years, 6 months ago

Hi,

I’m having the same problem. It have tried pretty much the same things and would like to fix this issue. I hope we will find a solution soon!

WPyogi
(@wpyogi)

10 years, 6 months ago

For help with local installations, you may want to post your own threads on:

http://wordpress.org/support/forum/localhost-installs

@mguise@mattguise.com – a bit off this topic, but you may want to rethink using the theme you have – as it’s not released under GPL licensing requirements of WP – so won’t be supported here at all.

Thread Starter mguise
(@mguisemattguisecom)

10 years, 6 months ago

Thanks WPyogi. I just reposted the thread in localhost-installs. Everyone you can find it here. http://wordpress.org/support/topic/mac-os-x-version-1085-unable-to-create-directory-wp-contentuploads201310-1?replies=1#post-4730223

If anyone figures this out let me know and I will do the same.

WPyogi I will probably ditch the theme. Thanks again.

bascent
(@bascent)

10 years, 6 months ago

This is what a developer emailed me about the error message, though I read on another forum that it would create security problems. Does anyone know about this?

“You need to make the folder “wp-content/uploads” writable.
You should be able to do this by logging into your server via FTP and
right clicking on it, in your FTP program you will see an option either
“CHMOD” or “Permissions”, change this to 777.
If you’re still unsure how to do this contact your web host and they
should be able to do it for you.”

ijs_87
(@ijs_87)

10 years, 6 months ago

Hi,

I mailed my hosting company, they told me to change the permission of the wp-content folder to 770.
I’ve just done it and it solved the problem for me!

Hope you’ll get is solved soon.