Fix the Missing "Add New" Button for Themes and Plugins in WordPress

Common reasons

• Your account does not have the right to install plugins and themes.
• On a multisite network only super admins can install them.
• wp-config.php has a setting that blocks file changes.
• Your host blocks direct installs.
• A security or optimization plugin hides the button.
• WordPress core files are damaged or missing.

  

Fix 1: Check user permissions

Only users with the Administrator role can install plugins and themes.

1. Log in with an administrator account.
2. Go to Users > All Users, find your account and check the role.
3. Change it to Administrator if it is wrong.

   

Fix 2: Check multisite settings

On a multisite network, the network admin can install plugins. Go to Network Admin > Settings > Network Settings and check Enable administration menus for the Plugins menu. Only super admins can install new items unless the network setting allows more.

Fix 3: Disable conflicting plugins

Some plugins remove the button. Disable all plugins under Plugins > Installed Plugins (or rename the wp-content/plugins folder through FTP), then enable them one by one until the button disappears again.

Fix 4: Reinstall the WordPress core files

1. Back up your site.
2. In Dashboard > Updates, click Re-install version. Or download WordPress from wordpress.org and upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folders by FTP. Do not overwrite wp-content or wp-config.php.

   

Fix 5: Check wp-config.php

Open wp-config.php in the main folder and look for these lines:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true);

This line blocks installs and updates of plugins and themes, and hides the button. Remove it or set it to false:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', false);

Also check DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT, which only turns off the theme and plugin editors. If you see a low memory limit, raise it:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

Fix 6: Ask your host

Some managed hosts block installs by design. Contact support to check if a restriction is set.

Quick recap

• Check the role, DISALLOW_FILE_MODS and plugin conflicts first.