Frequently Asked Questions:

I’m trying to import my blog or upload pictures for the first time and I get an error that says: “Unable to create directory /home/user/public_html/blog/ wp-content/uploads/ 2008/02. Is its parent directory writable by the server?”

Sometimes, after you’ve installed WordPress and are trying to upload a picture for the first time, you’ll get an error that says something like: “Unable to create directory /home/user/public_html/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02. Is its parent directory writable by the server?”

This error occurs occasionly and is basically the result of a permission problem. For some reason, WordPress doesn’t have permission to create the folder needed to store your uploaded picture or imported blog. The fix is pretty easy. First, if using your FTP access or your online file manager utility from your CPanel, create a folder inside of “wp-content” and name it exactly “uploads”. Then try again. If this doesn’t work, again using your FTP program or online file manager utility, set the permissions for the folder “wp-content” to 0777 temporarily. Try it again. Assuming it works (it should), change it back to 0755 and try again. If it still works, then leave it like that. If it won’t work after you change it back, change it back to 0777 again and leave it.

If you’re having trouble changing permissions, call your web host for help. Act dumb and happy. (Acting dumb and happy really works. It’s gotten me far in life.)

There is also some info and a brief demonstration of changing permissions in this video, and in this one.

Questions? Instead of emailing for support, leave a comment below so everyone can benefit from any clarification.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 and is filed under Errors, Frequently Asked Questions, Installation. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “I’m trying to import my blog or upload pictures for the first time and I get an error that says: “Unable to create directory /home/user/public_html/blog/ wp-content/uploads/ 2008/02. Is its parent directory writable by the server?””

  1. On May 14th, 2008 at 7:33 pm jamie said:

    what would be the next step if you tried this several times?

  2. On May 15th, 2008 at 9:04 pm Jared said:

    jamie » if you can’t get it to work, i might try using a FTP program or a file manager to manually create a folder called “uploads” INSIDE of the “wp-content” folder, and then set it’s permissions to 777. let me know if you still can’t get it to work.

  3. On August 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 am Tara said:

    I have tried everything written including creating a new upload file and changing permission and it still does not work for me. Can you help please? I still get the error message.

  4. On August 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 am Jared said:

    @Tara: send me your FTP info in an email through the email on the support tab and i’ll try to fix it for you.

  5. On August 4th, 2008 at 4:49 pm Tara said:

    Jared
    Thanks
    I actually find it easier to upload from flicr once I downloaded the flicr pluggin, so I am just going to stick with that for now. I think I would upload from there even if I was able to load directly from my computer.

    Thanks

  6. On December 3rd, 2008 at 9:28 pm Robert said:

    I tried making the “upload” folder in the “wp-content” folder and nothing worked.
    I also changed the permissions to 777 and 755

    Wordpress isnt accepting the file it exported, so i can import my old post.

  7. On December 4th, 2008 at 8:19 am Jared said:

    @Robert: so are you trying to upload pictures and you get the error? or are you trying to upload an export file?

  8. On January 6th, 2009 at 10:09 am andy said:

    Hi I am having the same problem as Jared re uploading photo’s or nextgen gallery images to a new wordpress site. I have tried all solutions listed above + several others with no joy. Safe mode is on with my server but they assure me that is fine

    error message reads
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    The server setting Safe-Mode is on !
    If you have problems, please create directory wp-content/gallery/curwen and the thumbnails directory wp-content/gallery/curwen/thumbs with permission 777 manually !

    Directory wp-content/gallery/curwen is not writeable !

    or similar

    any help gratefully received

    ps I am not a photoghrapher but a fine art printmaker

  9. On January 6th, 2009 at 10:10 am andy said:

    whoops sorry about extra pasting in last message

  10. On January 6th, 2009 at 6:37 pm admin said:

    @andy: email me through the support tab, please.

  11. On March 22nd, 2009 at 2:41 am draadloos said:

    Thanks for this, this fixed my problems! (changing to 777 and back) And i’ll remember the dumb and happy trick for the next real problem. :-)

  12. On January 2nd, 2011 at 3:53 am Cheat Your Way Thin said:

    Never knew this, thankyou for letting me know.

  13. On January 3rd, 2011 at 12:28 pm Regina Kucan said:

    I went to golf practice with my brother.

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