Title: Cannot update Plugin – file permissions
Last modified: August 31, 2016

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# Cannot update Plugin – file permissions

 *  Resolved [SamanthawTCMC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/samanthawtcmc/)
 * (@samanthawtcmc)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-update-plugin-file-permissions/)
 * Update Failed: The update cannot be installed because we will be unable to copy
   some files. This is usually due to inconsistent file permissions.
 * I cannot seem to figure out where, exactly, the permissions are not set to allow
   this to update. This is the only plug-in at the moment that is not updating successfully.
 * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-security-audit-log/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-security-audit-log/)

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  [WPWhiteSecurity](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpwhitesecurity/)
 * (@wpwhitesecurity)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-update-plugin-file-permissions/#post-7000945)
 * Hello SamanthawTCMC,
 * Thank you for using our plugin.
 * This usually happens when new files are added to the plugin and the www-data (
   or web server) user you are using does not have access to write to the directory
   where the plugin is installed. Hence you can update the web server user permissions
   else do the following:
 * 1. Download the plugin to your computer
 * 2. Disable the plugin
 * 3. Extract the download and Upload the new version of the plugin via FTP (user
   a user that has write access to the website’s directory)
 * 4. Change ownership of the files to the web server user (typically www-data) 
   by using chmod
 * 5. Enable the plugin.
 * Note that this is not a problem of the plugin and you’ll encounter the same problem
   should other plugins add new files. Hence long term you should look into updating
   your web server user permissions.
 * While I trust the above helps you solve your issue, do not hesitate to get in
   touch should you have any further queries.
 *  Thread Starter [SamanthawTCMC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/samanthawtcmc/)
 * (@samanthawtcmc)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-update-plugin-file-permissions/#post-7000949)
 * Thank you!!
 * I was able to find where the permissions were off in the plugin folder for this
   and an update to include the server did the trick. Thanks!
 *  [WPWhiteSecurity](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpwhitesecurity/)
 * (@wpwhitesecurity)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-update-plugin-file-permissions/#post-7000951)
 * Glad you solved it Samantha. Would be great if you can spare a minute to [rate our plugin on the repository](https://wordpress.org/support/view/plugin-reviews/wp-security-audit-log).
 * Do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any further queries.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The topic ‘Cannot update Plugin – file permissions’ is closed to new replies.

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## Tags

 * [Failed](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/failed/)
 * [File Permissions](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/file-permissions/)
 * [update](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/update/)

 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [WPWhiteSecurity](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpwhitesecurity/)
 * Last activity: [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-update-plugin-file-permissions/#post-7000951)
 * Status: resolved