How To Install WordPress Plugins From Dashboard

WordPress plugins are powerful tools that add features to or enhance the functionality of your WordPress blog or website. One of the best features of WordPress is its extensive plugin ecosystem, which allows you to extend your site’s capabilities without coding. There is now an easy way to install WordPress plugins directly from within the WordPress dashboard, making the process simple even for beginners.

If you’re new to WordPress, you might want to check out our Complete Guide to Building a WordPress Website from Scratch to get started.

Why Use WordPress Plugins?

WordPress plugins are one of the best features of using WordPress as a blogging platform or CMS. They allow you to add functionality like contact forms, SEO optimization, security features, performance enhancements, and much more. However, it’s important to use plugins wisely to maintain your site’s performance and security.

For recommendations on essential plugins, see our guide on 10 Essential Free WordPress Plugins for Every Website.

Important Considerations Before Installing Plugins

Before installing new WordPress plugins, you should be aware of several important factors that can impact your website’s performance, security, and maintainability.

Plugin Bloat

Plugin bloat refers to the use of too many plugins that can adversely affect your WordPress blog’s performance. Each plugin adds code that runs on your site, which can slow down page load times and increase server resource usage.

You should also carefully consider whether a plugin performs a function similar to another already active plugin. This may cause the two plugins to conflict with each other, potentially breaking functionality or causing errors. Less is always better for WordPress plugin use, so try to keep them to just the essential ones.

For more insights on this topic, read our article on Why Less is More for WordPress Plugins.

Plugin Dependency

Plugin dependency is another critical consideration. Building a WordPress blog or site around plugins can turn into a nightmare if the plugin is no longer supported and fails to work in future versions of WordPress. Always check:

When the plugin was last updated
Compatibility with your WordPress version
Active support from the developer
User reviews and ratings

Security Concerns

Only install plugins from trusted sources. The WordPress Plugin Directory is the safest source as all plugins are reviewed for security and code quality. Premium plugins from reputable developers are also generally safe, but always verify the source before installation.

For comprehensive security guidance, check out our Complete WordPress Security Guide.

How to Install Plugins From the Dashboard

The built-in feature to add WordPress plugins from the dashboard can be found under the main Plugins module in your WordPress admin area. This feature has been available since WordPress 2.7 and has been continuously improved in subsequent versions.

Step 1: Navigate to the Plugins Section

Click Plugins in the left sidebar of your WordPress dashboard, then click Add New. You will be presented with multiple options to find and install new plugins.

Step 2: Search for Plugins

If the plugin you want to install is available in the official WordPress Plugin Directory, you can search by term, author, or tag. The search option allows you to search and install a plugin directly from the WordPress Plugin Directory.

Pro Tip: If you know what plugin you want to install, find the exact plugin you want to use by researching on Google or reading reviews, and then use the plugin’s exact name in the search box in the WordPress dashboard. Choose the Term option for best results. This ensures you find the correct plugin quickly.

You can also explore our guide on 3 Methods of Finding Free WordPress Plugins for alternative sources.

Step 3: Browse Featured and Popular Plugins

You can browse for new plugins by clicking the available Featured, Popular, Newest, and Recently Updated links. There is also a Popular Tags cloud shown to help you discover plugins by category.

This is a great way to discover useful plugins you might not have known about. For curated recommendations, see our list of Top Premium WordPress Plugins and Themes.

Step 4: Upload a Plugin Manually

If you have already downloaded a plugin (such as a premium plugin from a third-party developer), the option to upload a .zip file is also available. This option will not limit you to the WordPress Plugin Directory, so you can install plugins from any trusted source.

To upload a plugin:

Keep the plugin file in .zip format (don’t extract it)
Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the Add Plugins page
Choose the .zip file from your computer
Click Install Now

Important Note: Be aware that some plugins that have multiple folders or require files to be placed within a folder other than the plugins folder may not upload correctly or even fail to upload. Some more complex plugins can’t be added using this feature and will need to be uploaded to your plugins directory using an FTP client. These are usually plugins that require files to be placed in multiple directories.

For detailed instructions on using FTP, you may need to consult your hosting provider’s documentation or use a file manager provided by your hosting control panel.

Activating Your Plugin

Once the plugin is successfully installed, you should see an option to activate it immediately or return to the plugins menu. You can also:

Click Plugins then Installed Plugins to see all your plugins
Find the newly installed plugin in the list
Click Activate under the plugin name
Or click the plugin title to read more about it before activating

Note: Some plugins require additional configuration after activation. Always check the plugin’s documentation or settings page after activation to ensure it’s properly configured.

Troubleshooting Common Plugin Installation Issues

Plugin Installation Failed

If you encounter an error during installation, it could be due to:

File permissions: Your server may not have the correct file permissions. Contact your hosting provider if this persists.
Memory limits: Large plugins may exceed PHP memory limits. You may need to increase your PHP memory limit.
Plugin conflicts: The plugin may conflict with your current WordPress version or other plugins.

For more troubleshooting help, see our guide on How to Fix WordPress Plugin Request Time Out Error.

White Screen of Death After Activation

If you activate a plugin and your WordPress dashboard goes blank (commonly called the White Screen of Death), don’t panic. You can fix this by:

Accessing your site via FTP or your hosting account’s file manager
Navigating to the plugins folder: /wp-content/plugins
Renaming or deleting the problematic plugin folder
Refreshing your WordPress dashboard

For more solutions to common WordPress errors, check out our Quick Guide to the 5 Most Common WordPress Errors and Their Solutions or our comprehensive guide to fixing common WordPress errors.

Plugin Not Working After WordPress Update

Sometimes plugins stop working after a WordPress core update. This usually happens when:

The plugin hasn’t been updated by its developer
There’s a compatibility issue with the new WordPress version

In this case, check if there’s an updated version of the plugin available. If not, you may need to temporarily deactivate it or find an alternative.

Best Practices for Plugin Management

Keep plugins updated: Regularly update your plugins to ensure security and compatibility. Always backup your site before updating.
Remove unused plugins: Deactivate and delete plugins you’re no longer using to reduce security risks and improve performance.
Test in staging: If possible, test new plugins on a staging site before installing them on your live site.
Read reviews: Always check plugin reviews and ratings before installation to avoid problematic plugins.
Backup regularly: Maintain regular backups of your site. See our guide on Top 10 WordPress Backup Plugins for recommendations.

For performance optimization tips, read our article on 5 Tips to Optimize Your WordPress Performance and Traffic.

Additional Resources

Conclusion

Installing WordPress plugins from the dashboard is a straightforward process that makes it easy to extend your website’s functionality. By following best practices, choosing plugins wisely, and maintaining your plugin library, you can build a powerful and secure WordPress site.

Remember to keep your plugins updated, remove unused ones, and always backup your site before making changes. For more WordPress tutorials and guides, explore our WordPress resources.