Plugin wont update

Hi there,

The PHP update suggestion from your host is “interesting” as it was unlikely to help, since it sounds a permissions issue. The problem is that WordPress does not have access to write new/updated files to the plugins directory.

There’s a long documentation page in the WordPress Codex about it, along with examples. It’s a tad dense, though: https://codex.ww.wp.xz.cn/Changing_File_Permissions.

Is the Akismet plugin the only plugin you’re getting this error message for, or is it the same with other ones, or when trying to update WordPress itself?

Unfortunately, the error is with how the site’s files are setup, and I’m not sure what, if any, options your host allows you to remedy this. What host are you with?

@faithandfabric : There are two paths you can take to solve the problem.

1. You can attempt to fix the file permissions as illustrated here: https://codex.ww.wp.xz.cn/Changing_File_Permissions (or see https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-fix-file-and-folder-permissions-error-in-wordpress/)

2. You can delete the Akismet plugin folder, and re-install the plugin the way you would normally do.

The 2nd way is likely the fastest/easiest. As Carolyn explained here, such permissions issues are sometimes the consequence of something having gone not quite right during one of WordPress’ update processes.

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out to us via https://akismet.com/contact/ if you are still having problems after trying the above.

Stephane – Akismet Developer