---
title: How to Manually Install a WordPress Plugin
description: The automatic installation of a plugin is easy and straightforward. However, you can also install it manually. It will involve manually downloading a plugin, uploading, and activating it. Make sure you have already downloaded a zip file of the plugin…
url: "https://www.domaincentral.com.au/help/manually-install-a-wordpress-plugin/"
updated: "2026-09-03"
category: WordPress
---

# How to Manually Install a WordPress Plugin

The automatic installation of a plugin is easy and straightforward. However, you can also install it manually. It will involve manually downloading a plugin, uploading, and activating it.

Make sure you have already downloaded a zip file of the plugin to your desktop.

**1.** Log in to the WordPress dashboard.

**2.** From the Dashboard menu, go to **Plugins** and click on **Add New**.
 ![](https://clients.domaincentral.com.au/img/wp-plugin-add-new-menu.gif)

**3.** Click on **Upload Plugin** and then on **Browse**. Choose your plugin's zip file and click **Install Now**.
 ![](https://clients.domaincentral.com.au/img/wp-plugin-manual-browse-install.gif)

**4.** Click on **Activate Plugin**.
 ![](https://clients.domaincentral.com.au/img/wp-activate-manual-plugin.gif)

**Note:** After activating a plugin, a new menu of that plugin is added to the Dashboard menu.