Solving The WordPress 'you need to make this file writable' Error Message
It depends on your web hosting service, but sometimes when I try to edit the theme on a new WordPress self-hosted blog, I get this error message..
‘You need to make this file writable before you can save your changes’
Here’s a short video on how to solve this problem, by setting the theme file permissions so editing is allowed.
IMPORTANT: Once you have finished editing your theme files, make sure you reset your file permissions to say 644. Just do it the same way, as shown in the video. It will help protect your website, going forward.
PS.. It’s also the first time I have used the Viddler video hosting service, so I am trying that out, too.
Thanks You very much Kevin. Even this video used old wordpress. But it still works. Thanks.
hi
thank u so much 4 the wonderful information share
you are superb
This was really helpful, thanks so much!
Thanks for the tip Kevin – that just saved me a lot of time and bother.
Cheers
Yey for Kevin S Brown – you saved the day!
Really helpful thanks a lot!
I have no idea what is wrong, but nothing is resolving my issue here. All I really want to do is install a CAPTCHA plugin (I am getting so much spam and Akismet is only doing half a job) from the WordPress approved files and every single thing I try fails. I’ve tried changing my theme, making the files writable within the theme (using 777 as you suggest here, on individual files and folders) changing my theme again. Each time it fails I delete the old install files from the pulgin directory and the upgrade directory in the file manager (as suggested by the developer).
I help with another blog and had no issues there, but my own programming skills are limited. I’m learning on the hop. Any suggestions?
Clear as water… Pure gold! Thanks a lot for this video, it saved us quite some time. It worked imediately, we followed it and we have the Update File button now
All the best, and thanks again!
thank you thank you thank you….
despite a PhD in chemistry, wordpress makes me feel like a wobbling terrified plate of disregarded jelly at a birthday party long after the children have gone…
why oh why is it so difficult at every turn! it will not beat me!
thanks for your blog
Thank you Gillian for the feedback. Wonderful description!
WordPress is SO much easier, with a friendly web hosting service.
I have used this hosting service (affiliate link coming up…) for three years now and they are wonderful (and cheap) http://hostgatorweboffer.com Highly recommended. No question.
Kevin
Excellent post. I’ve been frustrated with this for a while. My old host didn’t have this problem.
It’s probably important to reset your permissions back to 0755 or 0644 once you are finished editing to help keep your site secure.
SO helpful! Thank you so much!!! The instructions about Codex in WordPress were so unclear. You solved my problem in a matter of minutes. Thanks again!
Just saved me a HUGE headache…worked like a charm:) Thanks MUCHO!!!
You saved me hours and hours… thank you!!!
Thank you so much for sharing.
I have been frustrated this issue.
Now it’s been solved beautifully thanks to your kindness.
thanks kevin — i’m wordpress newbie and i was starting to get frustrated by a permissions problem. you got me out of the jam!
– ken
Hi Ken,
Thanks so much. It’s good to know it’s useful.
cheers, Kevin
Great Job, Kevin. Thanks a lot.
Hi Lee,
It’s always good to help a favourite student
All the best
Kevin
Hi Kevin
Great video from one of my favourite marketers
Being a non techy I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve hit this error and been totally perplexed about what to do next.
Thanks for the great video!
Lee McIntyre