Frequently Asked Questions:

Why can’t I save any changes when editing my files in the Theme Editor? Why does it say “if this file were writable, you could edit it”?

Sometimes, when you install WordPress and ProPhoto, and try to edit your theme files in the Theme Editor for the first time is says something like: “You need to make this file writable before you can save your changes. See the Codex for more information.”

This is caused by permissions set wrong on the files WordPress is trying to edit. Sometimes during the process of FTPing files, permissions get messed up. To fix this, change the permissions on the files that aren’t working to “777″ or “0777.” You can do this within FTP programs, or in your file manager. You can see how to change permissions in the end of this video about using a file manager.

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

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 and is filed under Customizing ProPhoto, Frequently Asked Questions, Installation. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

27 Responses to “Why can’t I save any changes when editing my files in the Theme Editor? Why does it say “if this file were writable, you could edit it”?”

  1. On May 18th, 2008 at 11:22 am Chad said:

    Changed the permissions to the blog files on my cpanel to 777, refreshed everything (multiply times) and still will not allow to edit. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

  2. On May 19th, 2008 at 9:55 am Chad said:

    Nevermind! Figured it out. Go to wp-content folder, don’t just stop at the “blog” folder. Duh!

  3. On May 26th, 2008 at 9:52 pm Ashley said:

    I am having the same problem. I changed all my permissions, but when I attempt to change the flashfader under the wp-content folder it says I am not allowed to do that. The permission stays at 0755

  4. On May 27th, 2008 at 6:04 am Jared said:

    @Ashley: you shouldn’t have to manually set the permissions for the “flashfader” folder. did the plugin tell you had to do this?

  5. On May 27th, 2008 at 10:31 am Lora said:

    Jared,

    Ditto. When I try to manage the Flashfader I receive the message about changing permissions. I did – mulitple times in cPanel. I’ve checked and rechecked, refreshed, emptied the cache in Safari, etc. All my permission for wp-content are 777 except for the wp-content/uploads – which said that function couldn’t be performed. I just kept getting the yellow box with the error message about changing permissions. Help?

  6. On May 27th, 2008 at 10:40 am Lora said:

    Jared,

    I decided to deactivate the flashfader plugin thinking it may not like the permissions change after the activation. Once I reactivated the flashfader plugin – voila. Thx.

  7. On May 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm Tamara said:

    Oh boy..I need help ASAP..I was trying to change the permissions and now my entire site is DOWN and I cant access the blog or anything.i am getting a 403 error! HELP!

  8. On May 28th, 2008 at 8:17 am Jared said:

    @Tamara: i just sent you an email. i’ll try to help. it should be just a matter of resetting some permissions. it’s very unlikely you did any permanent damage!

  9. On June 10th, 2008 at 9:16 pm Siobhan said:

    I have changed all my permissions to 777 in filezilla ( admin , content and includes ) no help still getting “You need to make this file writable before you can save your changes. See the Codex for more information.’

    Any more ideas??

  10. On June 11th, 2008 at 6:51 am Jared said:

    @Siobhan: try setting the permissions for all of the files inside the “prophoto” folder to 777

  11. On June 24th, 2008 at 10:35 am Matt said:

    I am trying to make the code changes using your tutorial for flashfader and am also struggling with making the files writable so I can change and save them. I have changed about every permission in my blog folder from the cPanel to 777, still unsuccessful. What else should I try?

  12. On June 24th, 2008 at 7:03 pm admin said:

    @Matt: if it’s the flashfader you’re struggling with, try making the folder “wp-content” writeable (777). its in your main blog folder.

  13. On July 12th, 2008 at 10:18 pm Katie said:

    Okay I know I need to make it writeable but how do I do that? I go to wp-content and then what?

    Thanks!

  14. On July 12th, 2008 at 10:36 pm Katie said:

    AHHHH!!!!! Got it to work!!!

  15. On July 21st, 2008 at 10:28 am Lisa said:

    For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to access the area where I change the code to 777. How do I get to an area where I can change this? I’ve searched and searched, please help?

  16. On July 21st, 2008 at 11:21 am Jared said:

    @Lisa: are you using an FTP program or your web host’s control panel to do it? you can’t change it to 777 from within WordPress, you need to use FTP or your control panel. If you are using an FTP program, what program are you using?

  17. On August 4th, 2008 at 5:50 pm sara harper said:

    Which video? When I click the above link it goes to the tutorial page with all of the videos! Thanks

  18. On August 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm Jared said:

    @sara harper: whoops, fixed the link, it should go the right spot now.

  19. On November 4th, 2008 at 12:37 am Jenn said:

    Hi, I too am completely stuck at this point. I have changed my permissions for every file I can think of and what has been suggested here and nothing. Deactivated and reactivated the flashheader plugin and nothing. Done both and even reloaded all the prophoto files into wp-contents and did it all over. I have no idea what is not working. Please help.

  20. On November 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am Jared said:

    @Jenn: i just sent you an email.

  21. On November 8th, 2008 at 3:57 pm Jenn said:

    I FINALLY got it! Thanks. I just redid it all and manually changed the permissions on all the files in the prophoto folder.

  22. On January 21st, 2009 at 6:44 am Joyce said:

    I alread did change chmod 777 in themes folder and all files inside…
    and continue giving the error
    “You need to make this file writable before you can save your changes. See the Codex for more information.”

  23. On January 23rd, 2009 at 8:09 am admin said:

    @Joyce: send me an email through the support tab.

  24. On March 11th, 2009 at 3:17 pm ivy said:

    hi, i can change the permission to blog and wp_content and themes but i still not allowed to delete any images that come with the template i download
    see my site if you don;t understand my question.
    The big picture for google there suppose can be changed..but i can;t change it…

    this happen to the plugins folder too.
    I try to delete some of the plugins but I can;t.

    i wonder what should i do with this.
    (sorry if this is not about prophoto, wordpress forum don;t give answer :P )

  25. On December 8th, 2009 at 11:28 pm lynnette said:

    help! the video link isn’t working

  26. On November 6th, 2010 at 1:27 am Dbol said:

    Glad i recently came across this site, Another good site is Dbol will be sure to book mark it so i can come by often.

  27. On December 30th, 2011 at 12:36 am Mac Adobe said:

    Mac Adobe…

    [...]» Why can’t I save any changes when editing my files in the Theme Editor? Why does it say “if this file were writable, you could edit it”? Jared’s ProPhoto Tips[...]…

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