Title: Plugin wont update Last modified: October 11, 2018 --- # Plugin wont update * Resolved [LiebeGroup](https://wordpress.org/support/users/liebegroup/) * (@liebegroup) * [7 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/) * Have been trying to update Akismet Anti-Spam for some time now and keep getting an error message saying – An error occurred while updating Akismet Anti-Spam: The update cannot be installed because we will be unable to copy some files. This is usually due to inconsistent file permissions. .htaccess.old * I have spoken with our web hosting company and they advised me to change our php system from 5.5 to 5.6 which i have but nothing has changed. * I have basic knowledge of website design (have taken over an already built website)– please help in simple terms! 🙂 Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) * Plugin Contributor [Stephane Daury (stephdau)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/stephdau/) * (@stephdau) * [7 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-10770859) * 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.wordpress.org/Changing_File_Permissions](https://codex.wordpress.org/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? * Thread Starter [LiebeGroup](https://wordpress.org/support/users/liebegroup/) * (@liebegroup) * [7 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-10773196) * Hi, * I had 9 plugins that weren’t updating so spoke with our host and updated the php which helped 4 plugin update however i still have Akismet, Give-donation, Events made easy and admin menu editor all throwing different errors. * I have super basic knowledge of the website and we don’t use coding to make any changes.. * Plugin Contributor [Stephane Daury (stephdau)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/stephdau/) * (@stephdau) * [7 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-10774284) * 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? * Plugin Contributor [Stephane Daury (stephdau)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/stephdau/) * (@stephdau) * [7 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-10815402) * No further reply, assuming it got solved on the host end. * [faithandfabric](https://wordpress.org/support/users/faithandfabric/) * (@faithandfabric) * [7 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-11155829) * Hi Stephane – I’m having the same issue. I just tried to update, but it says:“ Update Failed: The update cannot be installed because we will be unable to copy some files. This is usually due to inconsistent file permissions.” * This is the only plugin that I’m having trouble with. I host through GoDaddy, and am running the latest version of Genesis on WP. Thoughts? * Thread Starter [LiebeGroup](https://wordpress.org/support/users/liebegroup/) * (@liebegroup) * [7 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-11155835) * We ended up just deleting the plug in as we couldn’t get the error message to clear. * Plugin Contributor [Stephane Daury (stephdau)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/stephdau/) * (@stephdau) * [7 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-11156701) * [@faithandfabric](https://wordpress.org/support/users/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.wordpress.org/Changing_File_Permissions](https://codex.wordpress.org/Changing_File_Permissions)( or see [https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-fix-file-and-folder-permissions-error-in-wordpress/](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](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/is-akismet-compatible-with-wp-5-0-3/#post-11095875), 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/](https://akismet.com/contact/) if you are still having problems after trying the above. * Stephane – Akismet Developer * [chennaimath](https://wordpress.org/support/users/chennaimath/) * (@chennaimath) * [6 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-11695052) * Hi, * Whether the plugin ‘Akismet Anti-Spam’ is compatible with wordpress v5.2.2 and PHP v7.3. Kindly help us in this regard. * Thank you, have a nice day. * [csonnek](https://wordpress.org/support/users/csonnek/) * (@csonnek) * Happiness Rocketeer 🚀 * [6 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-11697927) * [@chennaimath](https://wordpress.org/support/users/chennaimath/) – Could you please start your own thread as this is not related to this issue? * [https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/akismet/](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/akismet/) * Thank you! Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) The topic ‘Plugin wont update’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://ps.w.org/akismet/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2818463) * [Akismet Anti-spam: Spam Protection](https://wordpress.org/plugins/akismet/) * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/akismet/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/akismet/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/akismet/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/akismet/reviews/) * 9 replies * 5 participants * Last reply from: [csonnek](https://wordpress.org/support/users/csonnek/) * Last activity: [6 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-wont-update-8/#post-11697927) * Status: resolved