Sometimes, after you’ve installed WordPress and are trying to upload a picture for the first time, you’ll get an error that says something like: “Unable to create directory /home/user/public_html/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02. Is its parent directory writable by the server?”

This error occurs occasionly and is basically the result of a permission problem. For some reason, WordPress doesn’t have permission to create the folder needed to store your uploaded picture or imported blog. The fix is pretty easy. First, if using your FTP access or your online file manager utility from your CPanel, create a folder inside of “wp-content” and name it exactly “uploads”. Then try again. If this doesn’t work, again using your FTP program or online file manager utility, set the permissions for the folder “wp-content” to 0777 temporarily. Try it again. Assuming it works (it should), change it back to 0755 and try again. If it still works, then leave it like that. If it won’t work after you change it back, change it back to 0777 again and leave it.

If you’re having trouble changing permissions, call your web host for help. Act dumb and happy. (Acting dumb and happy really works. It’s gotten me far in life.)

There is also some info and a brief demonstration of changing permissions in this video, and in this one.

Questions? Instead of emailing for support, leave a comment below so everyone can benefit from any clarification.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 and is filed under Errors, Frequently Asked Questions, Installation. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.