Title: WordPress from WordPress: import problem Last modified: August 18, 2016 --- # WordPress from WordPress: import problem * [marklaflamme](https://wordpress.org/support/users/marklaflamme/) * (@marklaflamme) * [19 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/) * Hi. Like many of you, I’ve been trying to import a WordPress.com blog to a newly created one I’m hosting myself. And like many, I’ve been pulling my hair out. For me, the export process works well. The function spits out an .xml file which I download to my desktop. The import part of the maneuver is where things go wrong. In the new blog, I’ve tried both importing a wordpress blog and importing an RSS feed. No go in either case after numerous attempts. I downloaded the plugin for the import process and activated it. I’ve tried the various tweaks( Chmod to content folder, etc.), but invariably, the function seems to try importing for five minutes before giving me the following error message: “The proxy server received an invalid response from an upstream server. The proxy server could not handle the request POST -admin/admin.php. Reason: Error reading from remote server.” I’m desperate to get this new blog set up. Has anyone found a workable solution to this? If somebody can pass along a clue, you’ll have my eternal worship. Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 56 total) [←](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) [1](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/?output_format=md) [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) 3 [4](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/4/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/4/?output_format=md) * [Krissy](https://wordpress.org/support/users/krissy/) * (@krissy) * [19 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490244) * I’m having the same problems as you Scoop. * I set the entire domain to read with 777 (which I know is REALLY bad for the server at the moment) then I have the WordPress-to-Wordpress plugin installed. It should just be a quick import and go…what could we possibly be doing wrong considering both wordpress.com and my self-hosted WordPress installation are based on almost the exact same script?? * [Scoop0901](https://wordpress.org/support/users/scoop0901/) * (@scoop0901) * [19 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490245) * No idea, Krissy. I’ve talked with about 20 other people on various forums over the past three weeks who are having identical issues, so it doesn’t seem to be us, but rather something in the export of WP — or something in WP’s import of exported WP content. * I have gone to all sorts of lengths, including creating a NEW database for each install I attempted, **_just in case_** anything at all happened to the database during the attempt. I’ve downloaded a fresh package from the WordPress.org site many times, ensuring there wasn’t an issue with any of the files I uploaded to the server. I’ve uploaded a _fresh_ install of WP **each** time I attempted the import, and still the results are the same. * Last night I tried five different times — with five new databases and five fresh uploads and configurations of WordPress 2.12 — to import the file. Each time I went in, configured the **Options** the same way they were configured on the original installation. * The thing I am beginning to wonder about is if plugins that were installed at the time of the export may be playing an issue in this. That would be the only thing different right now on the server. I had plugins on the old installations that do not exist in the current installation. Other than that, everything is identical. The problem with that is I will never be able to figure out what was( or was not) installed at the time of export. * [scheurbert](https://wordpress.org/support/users/scheurbert/) * (@scheurbert) * [19 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490252) * I had a problem where it would display some pages with children, but with others wouldn’t display the children, or even the parent page. I figured out a solution to it, however. For tech specs, I was using WordPress 2.1.0 on one server and importing to WordPress 2.1.3 on another server. * The problem I found was that the post ID *after* a root parent post (as in, one post that has children and no parent), that was also set as the root parent’s child, would stuff up showing any children for that root parent. For some reason that bung entry’s parent would be set the parent id of its own ID number, i.e. if its `ID` is 21, the `post_parent` would be set to 21, therefore mucking up the display in the Dashboard. All the posts/pages are in the SQL db, just with some mung data in the `post_parent` fields. * In MySQL I ran the query: * `UPDATE wp_posts SET post_parent = 0 WHERE post_parent = ID` * That reset the mung posts’ parent value to 0 — no parent. Looking in the _Manage > Pages_ it displayed all the pages but each one under a root parent post, it was reset to 0, but the following children under that particular root parent were still present and accounted for. * I’m not so good at explaining it but I hope some people garner some kind of assistance from my post. * It would seem that it was a problem in the exporting of the 2.1.0. Whether the bug is still there or not in the newer edition, and why it occurs (because there were pages with children that imported fine), I do not know. * [scheurbert](https://wordpress.org/support/users/scheurbert/) * (@scheurbert) * [19 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490253) * Actually, I wasn’t quite thorough with my evaluation of events. Seems the initial children’s `post_parent` of the root parent were set to the first child’s `ID`. Reading that sentence makes even my mind boggle so I will try to do an example. * For example, post 20 is a parent. It has three children: 21, 22 and 23. After importing the XML into WordPress, post 21, 22 and 23’s `post_parent` have been set to 21 (the first child of 20). * [demoment](https://wordpress.org/support/users/demoment/) * (@demoment) * [19 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490254) * Hi, I experience the same problem too. both my wordpress and own domain wordpress has the same version. export of the XML file to my computer is fine but when it comes to the import into my own domain blog, this message came out: * **Unable to create directory /home/demoment/public_html/blog/wp-content/uploads/ 2007/04. Is its parent directory writable by the server?** * does that mean i need to check with my host company ? thanks a lot. * chinnee * [demoment](https://wordpress.org/support/users/demoment/) * (@demoment) * [19 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490255) * Hi, I experience the same problem too. both my wordpress and own domain wordpress has the same version. export of the XML file to my computer is fine but when it comes to the import into my own domain blog, this message came out: * **Unable to create directory /home/demoment/public_html/blog/wp-content/uploads/ 2007/04. Is its parent directory writable by the server?** * does that mean i need to check with my host company ? thanks a lot. * chinnee * [MichaelH](https://wordpress.org/support/users/michaelh/) * (@michaelh) * [19 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490256) * No, you just need to change the permissions to the folder. Likely you need to change wp-content and uploads to 777. * See: [Changing_File_Permissions](http://codex.wordpress.org/Changing_File_Permissions) * [bdayne](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bdayne/) * (@bdayne) * [19 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490257) * Same problem here. I’ve got a new install on subdirectory of a remote server, and I’m trying to import content from an existing blog on the root. I exported from the root install, saved, imported the file, and nothing happened. Not even an error message. * I then installed the plugin obtained here: [http://technosailor.com/wordpress-to-wordpress-import-v20-released/](http://technosailor.com/wordpress-to-wordpress-import-v20-released/) and tried the process again. Nothing. It looks like the import process is happening, but when it’s done, there’s nothing on the import page. * I then changed the permissions mentioned above, and ran the import again, and still nothing. If there’s a fix to this that would be great, but even a workaround would be helpful. * [Scoop0901](https://wordpress.org/support/users/scoop0901/) * (@scoop0901) * [19 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490258) * MichaelH: The permissions on both those directories you pointed out [in your reply](http://wordpress.org/support/topic/97032/page/2?replies=31#post-546812) have been set to 777 since this issue began. That was one of the first things I checked. * [ramblingmoo](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ramblingmoo/) * (@ramblingmoo) * [18 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490263) * I am having the same problem as demoment and bdayne. I exported from my WordPress. com blog to my hosted blog but nothing shows… the entire file was empty. This is so weird as when I exported to my PC it read 3.6MB but when I imported to my host there was nothing. * I wrote to the support over at WordPress.com and they suggested I use Firefox. However, I can’t have firefox on my machine as it conflict with some of my stuff. * Can anyone explain what is the problem??? Seems like this problem is still very much unsolved…. * [ccoupe](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ccoupe/) * (@ccoupe) * [18 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490267) * If your version of wordpress is near current (one that can import wordpress, don’t add that extra plugin. * The reasons for failure are often one of these: File size limit on new blog Incorrect permissions on the wp-upload directory Memory size limit on new blog Wrong versions of php or mysql Incorrectly configured php * Each of these have been answered many many times and they are not WordPress bugs. See the instructions for installing wordpress for the system requirements Some of those error give you feedback, some don’t. * If your PC has a 3.6MB file, then the export probably works. Look at it, it’s just a text file. If it has the first post you made at the beginning and the last post at the end, then it’s probably something wrong with you new host set up. * There are other problems that could happen but you haven’t told us enough to guess which of them might apply, if any. * [lancevance](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lancevance/) * (@lancevance) * [18 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490268) * Ok, i have a problem too. I have exported my posts from lancevance.wordpress. com to [http://www.lancevance.org](http://www.lancevance.org) but now the authours of their comments aren’t showed. But if i write a comment from there, author is shown, so i assume problem is in XML file? Oh, btw, if i look in the source code i see that the authour’s name is commented; like that: * [Scoop0901](https://wordpress.org/support/users/scoop0901/) * (@scoop0901) * [18 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490269) * **@ ramblingmoo and others having the problem:** Yes, this is a serious problem. For some reason, many on this forum dismiss everything as “you’re doing something wrong” and forget about it. Some go so far in dismissing everything, saying things such as, “Read the instructions.” D’oh. * Yes, it is an issue. the easiest — and faster resolution I can suggest is for you to go through the actual exported file you have, strip out all the garbage WP puts in it during the export, keep the keywords, categories, original posting date, and the post/page content, and repost it using a local editor, such as [Windows](http://blog.scoop0901.net/technology/windows-live-writer-gets-a-beta-overhaul/) [Live](http://blog.scoop0901.net/photos/windows-live-writer-makes-blogging-easier) [Writer](http://writer.live.com/), [Dreamweaver](http://www.adobe.com/), Nvu, [BlogDesk](http://www.blogdesk.com/), [w.Bloggar](http://www.wbloggar.com/) ( seems it is no longer being maintained, has a few issues on WinXP, is not compatible with WinVista), or similar products. That way, in case you have the issue ever again, you will have a local copy that you can simply open in the editor, upload, and voila!, the entire site is restored. Sure, it will take awhile, but don’t rely on the WP export file. It seems it is still a beta — despite what some say while beating their drums. Too many have had issues for it to be a “your problem” issue. * I have about 60 percent of my site reposted. All of it could probably have been posted, but I’ve been busy with other things. Just be sure to keep a good backup of all content from your server, something I have WS_FTP download daily. That way you have the complete directory structure, as well as all files you attach, embed, or insert into posts or pages, with the structure already set for you. * [Scoop0901](https://wordpress.org/support/users/scoop0901/) * (@scoop0901) * [18 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490270) * @ LanceVance: Simply strip out all that is not valid HTML/xHTML markup. There will be a lot of garbage to strip out that WP puts in the file. For its own use, it may be helpful. For your use, in reposting the content manually, either through the WP editor or by using a blog editor, such as [Windows](http://blog.scoop0901.net/technology/windows-live-writer-gets-a-beta-overhaul/) [Live](http://blog.scoop0901.net/photos/windows-live-writer-makes-blogging-easier) [Writer](http://writer.live.com/), [Dreamweaver](http://www.adobe.com/), Nvu, [BlogDesk](http://www.blogdesk.com/), [w.Bloggar](http://www.wbloggar.com/) ( seems it is no longer being maintained, has a few issues on WinXP, is not compatible with WinVista), or similar products. * After you strip out all the garbage — basically, all you want to keep for each post or page is: 1. post date and time 2. post title 3. post author (unless you are the only author) 4. post content (with all coding) 5. post tags 6. post categories * I think that’s all you need, but after you strip out one of two, you will get the general format. It’s easier to do after that. You will kick a 3.4meg file, for example, down to something around 80k or so. Most of the [CData |–>] stuff you are seeing is inflating the file. Had it imported correctly, it would have repopulated the database, which, obviously, you know. Since it didn’t, all that stuff is now garbage. * I can’t emphasize — and yes, I learned the hard way, and will no longer trust a WP backup, or even the other backups I make from inside WP — as the sole backup protection. I use a local editor to post the actual posts or pages, which gives me a local copy of the actual file. That way, should anything ever happen on the server, I can create a new database, and in a few hours, at most, have all the old posts uploaded and no one will no anything happened. * [ccoupe](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ccoupe/) * (@ccoupe) * [18 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/3/#post-490271) * Thats a lot of work to hand edit. It would be faster and a easier to fix the bug in the importer. Even easier, file bugreports and someone else will fix it. If the exporter from WP.com is putting in CDDATA sections and wp.org isn’t expecting it, it’s a bug. One of serveral I’ve seen. * That won’t fix php configuration limits at the new server though. * Also, It’s not html or xhtml, its XML (just not very good XML). Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 56 total) [←](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) [1](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/?output_format=md) [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) 3 [4](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/4/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/4/?output_format=md) The topic ‘WordPress from WordPress: import problem’ is closed to new replies. ## Tags * [export](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/export/) * [Import](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/import/) * [wordpress-to-wordpress import](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/wordpress-to-wordpress-import/) * [wp-to-wp](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/wp-to-wp/) * [xml](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/xml/) * In: [Installing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/installation/) * 56 replies * 27 participants * Last reply from: [kerimfriedman](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kerimfriedman/) * Last activity: [18 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-from-wordpress-import-problem/page/4/#post-490288) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics