Installing a WordPress Theme from the Internet

If you find a theme via the internet you can easily install it using your WordPress dashboard. You will need to download the theme to your local computer and then proceed to upload it.

Installing a Theme Manually in WordPress

  1. Search for and download a theme from the WordPress.org. Typically, it will be a compressed file either in .zip or tar.gz format.
    Download a theme from wordpress.org

  2. Log into your WordPress website directly or from Softaculous.
  3. Once logged into your Dashboard, click Appearance, then Themes.
    select Appearance and Themes

  4. Select Add New Theme.
    Press Add new Theme

  5. Click Upload Theme.
    Press Upload Theme

  6. Click on the Browse button and find the file you saved on your computer. Once you have located the zip file, click Open and then Install Now.
    Upload compressed theme file

  7. Your new theme may take a few minutes to upload. Once the upload process is complete you will see the following screen. Click Preview to preview how your website will look with the new theme, or click Activate to enable the theme publicly.
    Preview or activate uploaded theme

Please check the next article on Changing your WordPress Theme. If you missed our previous article, please see the Finding a new theme online tutorial. For more information on this course please visit Installing a Theme.

8 thoughts on “Installing a WordPress Theme from the Internet

  1. I dont have the blue add new theme button.

    Ive found a theme i want from the wordpress website but unsure of how to install it / use it!?

    Thanks

    1. I recommend disabling your plugins one by one until you see the button re-appear. You should start with disabling any plugins that are website builders or handle themes.

  2. I recently updated the new word press plugin, but I cannot find the blue button that allows me to add recently downloaded word press plugins.

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