When a WordPress install fails: the causes and what to do

An installer that stops halfway almost always leaves the same clue: the error says where it stopped. It is worth reading before you try again, because trying again without changing anything usually leaves two half finished installs instead of one.

Do not run the install again on top of one that failed. Clean up first: delete the folder and the database it left behind. Installing over leftovers is the recipe for errors that make no sense at all. To clean up properly, see removing WordPress without leaving anything behind.

The causes, in order of how often we see them

Symptom Likely cause What to do
“The directory is not empty” There are already files at the destination, often from an earlier attempt or from the placeholder page the account shipped with. Choose another folder, or clear the one you chose. Look in File Manager before you delete anything.
It stops while creating the database The account has hit the plan limit on databases, or the chosen name already exists. Look at the databases you have and delete the ones left over from failed attempts. See databases and phpMyAdmin.
It stops while copying files Disk full, or the account file count limit reached. See the limits nobody advertises and free space before trying.
It hangs and never finishes The process hit the maximum execution time or the memory available to PHP. See PHP limits. Try again outside peak hours.
A PHP version error The version active on that folder is too old for the WordPress release you picked. Change it in Select PHP Version, carefully: changing it without breaking the site.
It installs, but the site does not open The domain does not point here yet, or points at a different folder. Check the domain with WHOIS and see pointing your domain to us.
A file listing appears instead of the site WordPress landed in a folder other than the one the domain serves. See the Index of listing.

The clean up before the second attempt

1 Delete the target folder, or at least everything the failed install left in it. File Manager is in the Files section of cPanel.
2 Delete the database the attempt created, and its user. They sit there eating into your plan limit.
3 Check the PHP version for that domain, in the Software section.
4 Check you have disk space, and that you are not at the account file count ceiling.
5 Install again, and this time write down the database name and the administrator user you chose.
If it fails twice with the same error, stop. The third attempt will fail too and only leaves more debris. Send us the error exactly as it appears, with the domain and the folder, and we will save you the afternoon.

Send us the error message word for word, with the domain and the folder. It is usually sorted on the first reply.

Open a support ticket

SEE ALSO

WordPress hosting

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Frequently asked questions

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