How to install a WordPress theme

Non-repository (zip file) installation

In case you have a theme archive on your computer and your webserver’s configuration allows it, you can install a WordPress theme by uploading the archive directly and WordPress does the rest:

Steps 1,2,3

1. From your dashboard, navigate to the Appearance > Themes menu.
2. Click on the Install Themes button.
3. Click on the Upload link

Steps 4,5

4. Navigate and select the theme file on your computer. Its name will be displayed in the input field.
5. Click the Install Now button and WordPress will attempt to install the theme.

Step 6

6. WordPress will display the status of the install and present you with some options. Click the Activate link to set the newly installed theme as your site theme.

Other ways to install a WordPress theme:
Installing from the .org repository
Manual (FTP) installation

More Tutorials This article is part of our WordPress general and theme specific tutorials series. For more useful information check out our tutorials section.

23 Comments

    1. The same happen to me with Nirvana!!… I love the Theme but no slide,,,! why is that? I´ve already put my images in the settings,, do you have idea what can I do? thanks a lot

    1. Manual upload guarantees you are installing the latest version. Using your control panel’s “magic installer” may leave you with an older (outdated, vulnerable) WordPress installation.

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  3. I have watch an install video and seen this blog. both times the first step is to click ‘Install Theme’ but I do not have that header. Any help of why this is would be helpful.

  4. I have problems to upload images in the presentation page. Always says that it was imposible to do. Does anyone know why? The screen apears dark and the mantra menú isn´t avalaible. I need to reaload the page of the navegator.

  5. Hi,
    I followed your instruction and installed the updated version of the theme but it seems that the custom slides for presentation page is not working.Act my end .so could you please update regarding the same.So that I can proceed toward my target.
    I will be very thankful to you for the same.because my work is stuck very badly.

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