Recently, we have an issue on one of our website which stated that ‘Destination folder already exists’ error in WordPress, just trying to install a plugin on my website. This error usually occurs during the installation of a theme or a plugin which prevents you from finishing the installation process. So we will show you how to solve this.
Reasons for Destination folder already exisits Error on your website
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We found out that this error shows up when trying to install a WordPress theme or WordPress plugins on your website. WordPress extracts plugins or themes zip into a folder named after the file itself. Therefore, if a folder with the same name exist, then WordPress will stop the installation.

Destination folder already exists. /home/user/example.com/wp-content/plugins/RankMATH/
Plugin install failed.
Things to do before Fixing Destination Folder Already Exists Error in WordPress
- Visit your themes or plugins page to see if you have it already installed on your site.
- If it isn’t already installed, then this could mean two things: Either, a previous attempt to delete the plugin or theme didn’t succeed, and it left the plugin / theme folder behind or a previous installation attempt was interrupted and left an empty destination folder.
In any of it, there is a folder with the same name as the theme or plugin you are trying to install. This folder is stopping WordPress from completing the installation.
How to Fix Destination Folder Already Exists Error in WordPress
There are Two different ways to fix destination folder already exist error in WordPress. either through plugins or FTP client, so we will show you both methods.
Fix Destination Folder Already Exists Error in WordPress through Plugins
First you need to go to plugins and install WP File manager, File Manager allows you to edit, delete, upload, download, zip, copy and paste files and folders directly from the WordPress backend. Don’t bother with FTP to manage and move your files from location to location. The most powerful, Flexible, and Easiest WordPress file management solution ever built.

Once connected, you need to go to the /wp-content/plugins/ or /wp-content/themes/ folder (depending on what you were trying to install).
Then, look for the folder named after the plugin or theme that you were trying to install and then delete it.
You can now go back to your WordPress admin area and retry installing the plugin or theme like you would normally do.

You should be able to install your WordPress plugin or theme without any error.

Fix Destination Folder Already Exists Error in WordPress through FTP Client
Connect to your WordPress site using an FTP client or cPanel File Manager. Once connected, you need to go to the /wp-content/plugins/ or /wp-content/themes/ folder (depending on what you were trying to install).
Now, look for the folder named after the plugin or theme that you were trying to install and then delete it. You can now go back to your WordPress admin area and retry installing the plugin or theme like you would normally do.
I think we have able to Fix Destination Folder Already Exists Error in WordPress, If you have any issue on this, You can use our comment session or join our delegate on Facebook to solve any issues related to WordPress and subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials.