Check WordPress file permissions

When to use this guide

Use this when logs mention permission denied, failed includes, unwritable uploads, missing cache files, plugin update failures, or errors after moving WordPress between hosts.

Safety notes

• Do not make all files world-writable.
• Preserve the hosting provider's expected user and group model.
• Back up before bulk permission changes.
• Compare against a known-good site on the same host when possible.

Basic steps

1. Identify the web server or PHP worker user.
2. Check ownership on the WordPress root, wp-content, plugins, themes, uploads, and cache folders.
3. Confirm PHP can read WordPress files and write only where needed.
4. Review recent deploy, restore, or FTP changes that may have changed ownership.
5. Retest the exact URL that produced the log entry.

Expected result

The failing path should stop producing permission errors, uploads or cache writes should work again, and no broad write permissions should be required.

Next links

• Match the exact log phrase with Check access and error logs for HTTP failures.
• Capture PHP details with Enable WordPress debug log safely.
• If permissions broke after a restore, use Restore WordPress from backup safely.