How to Manually Install a WordPress Theme (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

If you’ve ever tried to install a WordPress themeA WordPress theme is a set of files that determine the design and layout of a website. It controls everything … More manually and run into errors like “themeA WordPress theme is a set of files that determine the design and layout of a website. It controls everything … More package could not be installed” or file size limit exceeded, you’re not alone. This is exactly where manual WordPress theme installation becomes useful, giving you more control when the default upload method fails.

In this complete beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn how to manually install a WordPress theme using FTP or cPanel, even if you have zero technical experience. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know when manual installation is necessary, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to activate your theme safely.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Let’s dive in.

What Does It Mean to Manually Install a WordPress Theme?

Manually installing a WordPress theme means uploading the theme files directly to your website instead of installing it through the WordPress dashboardIn WordPress, the Dashboard is a central hub for managing a website’s content and settings. It is the first sc… More.

Normally, WordPress allows you to install a theme by going to:

Appearance → ThemesA WordPress theme is a set of files that determine the design and layout of a website. It controls everything … More → Add New → Upload Theme

However, this method doesn’t always work — especially with premium themes, custom themes, or large theme ZIP files.

Common Reasons to Install a WordPress Theme Manually

Your hosting provider limits file upload size
You see the error: “The theme is missing the style.css stylesheet”
Your WordPress dashboardIn WordPress, the Dashboard is a central hub for managing a website’s content and settings. It is the first sc… More upload fails
You’re installing a premium theme from ThemeForest or another marketplace
Your site dashboard is inaccessible

Manual theme installation gives you full control and helps you fix installation problems quickly.

What You Need Before Manually Installing a WordPress Theme

Before you start, make sure you have the following ready.

1. The WordPress Theme ZIP File

Download the theme from a trusted source such as:

⚠️ Important: Many premium themes come with multiple ZIP files. Make sure you’re uploading the actual theme ZIP, not a full package bundle.

2. FTP or Hosting Access

You’ll need one of the following:

FTP access (using FileZilla or Cyberduck)
cPanel File Manager access

Your hosting provider usually sends these details by email.

3. WordPress Admin Access

You’ll need to log in to WordPress to activate the theme after uploading it.

Method 1: How to Manually Install a WordPress Theme Using FTP

This is the most reliable method and works on nearly all hosting providers.

Step 1: Extract the Theme ZIP File

Locate the downloaded theme ZIP file on your computer
Right-click → Extract
You should now see a folder with the theme name

👉 The extracted folder must contain files like:

style.css
functions.php
index.php

If you don’t see these files, you’re likely using the wrong ZIP file.

Step 2: Connect to Your Website Using FTP

Open your FTP client (FileZilla is recommended)
Enter your:
- FTP host
- Username
- Password
- Port (usually 21)
Click Connect

Once connected, you’ll see your website files.

Step 3: Navigate to the WordPress ThemesA WordPress theme is a set of files that determine the design and layout of a website. It controls everything … More Directory

In the remote site panel, go to:

/wp-content/themes/

This folder contains all installed WordPress themes.

Step 4: Upload the Theme Folder

Drag the extracted theme folder from your computer
Drop it inside /wp-content/themes/
Wait for the upload to complete

⏳ Upload time depends on theme size and internet speed.

Step 5: Activate the Theme in WordPress

Log in to your WordPress dashboard
Go to Appearance → Themes
You’ll see the newly uploaded theme
Click Activate

🎉 Your WordPress theme is now installed manually using FTP.

Method 2: How to Manually Install a WordPress Theme Using cPanel

If FTP feels complicated, cPanel offers a simpler browser-based alternative.

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

Log in through your hosting dashboard
Click cPanel
Open File Manager

Step 2: Open the Themes Directory

Navigate to:

public_html → wp-content → themes

Step 3: Upload the Theme ZIP File

Click Upload
Select your theme ZIP file
Wait for the upload to finish

Step 4: Extract the ZIP File

Right-click the uploaded ZIP file
Click Extract
Ensure the theme folder appears directly inside the themes folder

⚠️ Avoid nested folders like:

themes/theme-name/theme-name/

Step 5: Activate the Theme

Go to WordPress Dashboard → Appearance → Themes
Locate the theme
Click Activate

Your theme is now installed manually using cPanel.

Common Errors When Manually Installing WordPress Themes (And How to Fix Them)

“The Theme Is Missing the style.css Stylesheet”

Cause:

You uploaded the wrong ZIP file
The theme folder is nested incorrectly

Fix:

Extract the ZIP again
Upload only the actual theme folder containing style.css

Theme Not Showing in WordPress Dashboard

Cause:

Theme uploaded to the wrong directory
Incorrect folder structure

Fix:

Confirm the path is /wp-content/themes/theme-name/

Permission Errors During Upload

Cause:

Incorrect file permissions

Fix:

Set folders to 755
Set files to 644

Most FTP clients allow permission changes via right-click.

Manual vs Automatic WordPress Theme Installation

Feature	Manual Installation	Dashboard Upload
File size limits	No	Yes
Works without dashboard	Yes	No
Best for premium themes	Yes	Sometimes
Beginner-friendly	Medium	Easy

If you’re using premium or large themes, manual installation is usually the better choice.

Best Practices After Installing a WordPress Theme

Once your theme is installed:

Check compatibility with your WordPress version
Install required or recommended plugins
Import demo content if available
Clear cache (important for Gigapress performance)

Test mobile responsiveness
Customize theme settings safely

Always create a backup before making major changes.

Is It Safe to Manually Install a WordPress Theme?

Yes — manual WordPress theme installation is safe when done correctly.

Security Tips:

Download themes only from trusted sources
Avoid nulled or pirated themes
Scan files with security plugins
Keep WordPress updated

Manual installation itself does not increase risk — unsafe themes do.

Frequently Asked Questions About Manual WordPress Theme Installation

Can I manually install a WordPress theme without FTP?

Answer: Yes. You can use cPanel File Manager instead of FTP.

Why won’t my WordPress theme install manually?

Answer: Most issues are caused by:

Incorrect ZIP file
Wrong folder structure
Missing style.css file

Do I need coding skills to install a WordPress theme manually?

Answer: No coding is required. You only need basic file upload skills.

What is the safest way to manually install a WordPress theme?

Answer: Using cPanel File Manager or FTP with themes from trusted developers is the safest method.

Final Thoughts: When Should You Manually Install a WordPress Theme?

You should manually install a WordPress theme when:

Dashboard upload fails
File size limits block installation
You’re using a premium or custom theme
You want full control over your site files

While beginners often start with automatic installation, learning how to manually install a WordPress theme is an essential skill for troubleshooting and managing WordPress sites efficiently.

If you’re serious about building a fast, stable, and scalable WordPress site with Gigapress, manual theme installation is a skill worth mastering.

Ready to Install a WordPress Theme Manually—Without the Hassle?

Learning how to install WordPress theme manually gives you more control, but speed, security, and maintenance still matter. If you want fast WordPress hosting, rock-solid performance, and done-for-you updates, we’ve got you covered. Check out our hosting packages by clicking the button below.