Title: Error message: theme directory empty or doesn't exist
Last modified: August 20, 2016

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# Error message: theme directory empty or doesn't exist

 *  Resolved [neverdietagainuk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/neverdietagainuk/)
 * (@neverdietagainuk)
 * [13 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-theme-directory-empty-or-doesnt-exist/)
 * Hi,
 * I see this is a recurring problem, but gather it is good etiquette to start a
   new thread.
 * I am using WordPress 3.4.2, with a CyberChimps theme EclipsePro, and a child 
   theme. All was well until yesterday when suddenly, all of my custom css from 
   the child theme vanished, and all the site content was shown, without styling,
   on the original theme.
 * I pasted my custom css, previously in the child theme directory, into the custom
   css option box on my dashboard, and this returned the front end to what it should
   be. For some reason, it seemed that the wordpress site was not communicating 
   with the files on the server.
 * I am now getting the following error message when I try to view the files in 
   my Editor.
 * ERROR: The themes directory is either empty or doesn’t exist. Please check your
   installation.
 * The front end is fine.
 * All the files are present on my server and haven’t been changed.
 * Although the problem isn’t on my site, the link is [http://www.neverdietagain.co.uk](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-theme-directory-empty-or-doesnt-exist/www.neverdietagain.co.uk?output_format=md),
   in case it helps anybody. Any suggestions? Thanks.
 * Angela

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  [Krishna](https://wordpress.org/support/users/1nexus/)
 * (@1nexus)
 * [13 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-theme-directory-empty-or-doesnt-exist/#post-3079484)
 * Just check your dashboard and see if your child theme is active.
    BTW, I see 
   your child theme is in the directory `/test/wp-content/themes/EclipseProChild`.
 *  Thread Starter [neverdietagainuk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/neverdietagainuk/)
 * (@neverdietagainuk)
 * [13 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-theme-directory-empty-or-doesnt-exist/#post-3079505)
 * Hi Krishna,
 * Thanks for that – both the Eclipse Pro and the Kid theme were showing as not 
   active. Eclipse Pro clearly WAS active because the front end was fine. I have
   reactivated both. And transferred the custom CSS back to the child theme and 
   all seems well. (fingers crossed).
 * Thank you so much for that – a much easier solution than I expected. Do you have
   any idea why they should suddenly appear deactivated?
 * Thanks,
 * Angela
 *  [Krishna](https://wordpress.org/support/users/1nexus/)
 * (@1nexus)
 * [13 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-theme-directory-empty-or-doesnt-exist/#post-3079506)
 * Sometimes, while resetting themes, editing files, etc. for various reasons, they
   do not save properly. There can be conflicts caused by plugins, server settings,
   etc. So, I had a guess about what could have caused the trouble. And it worked
   for you. That is all I know.
 * Always keep your plugins, software, etc. updated. Do not wait till they pile 
   up and cause unpredictable troubles. If you can do that it will be easy to know
   what could have caused the trouble.
 * Anyway, glad to note that you could solve the issue. Please mark the topic as
   resolved.
 *  Thread Starter [neverdietagainuk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/neverdietagainuk/)
 * (@neverdietagainuk)
 * [13 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-theme-directory-empty-or-doesnt-exist/#post-3079511)
 * Thank you so much 🙂

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

The topic ‘Error message: theme directory empty or doesn't exist’ is closed to new
replies.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 4 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [neverdietagainuk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/neverdietagainuk/)
 * Last activity: [13 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-theme-directory-empty-or-doesnt-exist/#post-3079511)
 * Status: resolved

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