Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

Issues with Downloading from WordPress.org

If you're planning on downloading a plugin or theme from WordPress.org, the common expectation is a seamless process. However, there are instances when you may encounter an error 404, conveying that the page you're trying to reach can't be found. This problem could be frustrating, especially when you're in a hurry to install your preferred plugin or theme.

The good news is that you're not the only one experiencing this issue. Over time, several WordPress users have also reported encountering this problem. Thankfully, WordPress has an active support forum where you can find solutions or discuss issues like this with experienced WordPress users.

Why do you experience a 404 error?

Several reasons could cause a 404 error, including plugin conflict, website corruption, or a problem with the server. However, in this context, we'll focus on what could trigger this error when downloading a plugin or theme from WordPress.

One major factor could be the browser you're using. It's possible that you accidentally activated a browser extension that prevents the download link from redirecting correctly. In some cases, your browser may cache an old version of the page, which could cause problems.

Another factor could be your internet connection. Your network could be too slow, unstable, or not configured properly, causing the download link to terminate before it completes.

What to do when you experience a 404 error when following a download link

When you encounter a 404 error, the first thing to do is to refresh the page; sometimes, it's merely a case of a minor server error. If refreshing doesn't help, you should clear your browser cache and cookies.

If none of these work, you should try using a different browser. If you're using Google Chrome, you can try the incognito mode to see if it resolves the issue.

You could also try downloading the plugin or theme via FTP. This option circumvents the download links on WordPress.org and grants you direct access to the plugin or theme files.

Finally, if none of the above works, we suggest you navigate to WordPress' support page, where you can get in touch with experts who can help diagnose the issue's root cause.

Conclusion

For many users, downloading plugins and themes from WordPress without experiencing any issues is almost second nature. However, the 404 error can occur, and when this happens, it can be frustrating. In this article, we discuss what causes this problem and how to fix it when it occurs. We hope this information helps you if you run into a similar issue.