How to Install and Update WooCommerce Extensions

A WooCommerce extension is a WordPress plugin that adds functionality to WooCommerce. Extensions are distributed as .zip files and installed through WordPress like any other plugin. This guide covers every installation method, update procedures, and solutions to common errors.

These instructions apply to extensions from Kestrel, WooCommerce.com, and any third-party vendor.

Requirements

Before installing any WooCommerce extension:

• WordPress 6.0+ (check at Dashboard > Updates)
• WooCommerce 8.0+ (check at Plugins > Installed Plugins)
• PHP 7.4+ (check at Tools > Site Health > Info > Server)
• The extension .zip file downloaded from your vendor account

Always back up your site before installing or updating extensions. If your host provides staging environments, test there first.

How to Install a WooCommerce Extension via WordPress Admin

This is the recommended method for most users.

1. Download the extension .zip file from your vendor account. Do not extract/unzip the file.
2. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
3. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
4. Click Upload Plugin at the top of the page.
5. Click Choose File and select the .zip file you downloaded.
6. Click Install Now.
7. After installation completes, click Activate Plugin.

The extension now appears in your Plugins list and is ready to configure.

How to Install a WooCommerce Extension via FTP

Use FTP when the WordPress upload fails due to file size limits or server restrictions.

1. Download the extension .zip file from your vendor account.
2. Extract the .zip file on your computer. You should have a folder named after the plugin (e.g., checkout-for-woocommerce).
3. Connect to your server using an FTP client (FileZilla, Cyberduck, or your host’s file manager).
4. Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/.
5. Upload the extracted plugin folder to this directory.
6. Log in to WordPress admin and go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
7. Find the extension and click Activate.

How to Install a WooCommerce Extension via WP-CLI

For developers with SSH access to their server:

wp plugin install /path/to/extension.zip --activate

Or install directly from a URL:

wp plugin install https://example.com/extension.zip --activate

How to Update a WooCommerce Extension

Extensions should be updated regularly for security patches, bug fixes, and new features.

Automatic Updates (If Available)

Many vendors provide automatic update notifications through license activation. Once your license is active:

1. Go to Dashboard > Updates or Plugins > Installed Plugins.
2. If an update is available, you’ll see an update notice under the plugin.
3. Click Update Now.

Kestrel extensions display update notifications automatically when a valid license is activated.

Manual Updates via WordPress Admin

If automatic updates aren’t available or you prefer manual control:

1. Download the latest version from your vendor account.
2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Deactivate the extension (your settings are preserved).
4. Delete the extension.
5. Install the new version using the steps above.
6. Activate the extension.

Your configuration and settings are stored in the database and persist through this process.

Manual Updates via FTP

1. Download and extract the latest version.
2. Connect via FTP and navigate to /wp-content/plugins/.
3. Rename the existing plugin folder (e.g., checkout-for-woocommerce to checkout-for-woocommerce-old).
4. Upload the new plugin folder.
5. Verify the plugin works in WordPress admin.
6. Delete the old folder.

Troubleshooting Installation Errors

“The package could not be installed. PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT”

Cause: The uploaded file is corrupted, incomplete, or not a valid plugin archive.

Solutions:

• Re-download the .zip file from your vendor account.
• Ensure you’re uploading the plugin .zip, not a theme or documentation archive.
• Check that your download completed fully (compare file sizes).
• Try a different browser or clear your browser cache before downloading.

“Destination folder already exists”

Cause: A folder with the same name exists in /wp-content/plugins/.

Solutions:

• If updating: Deactivate and delete the existing version first, then install the new one.
• If a previous installation failed: Use FTP to delete the incomplete plugin folder, then try again.

“The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini”

Cause: Your server’s PHP configuration limits file uploads to a size smaller than the plugin.

Solutions:

• Use the FTP installation method instead.
• Contact your host to increase upload_max_filesize and post_max_size in PHP settings.
• If you have access to php.ini, set both values to at least 64M.

“Missing stylesheet” or “The package is not a valid plugin”

Cause: You uploaded the wrong file. This error typically means you uploaded a theme instead of a plugin, or an inner folder instead of the complete archive.

Solutions:

• Return to your vendor account and download the correct plugin file.
• Ensure you’re not uploading an extracted folder—upload the .zip file directly.

“Plugin could not be activated because it triggered a fatal error”

Cause: A conflict with another plugin, theme, or PHP version incompatibility.

Solutions:

• Check that your PHP version meets the plugin requirements.
• Temporarily switch to a default theme (like Storefront or Twenty Twenty-Four) and try again.
• Deactivate other plugins one by one to identify conflicts.
• Enable WordPress debug mode to see the specific error. Add to wp-config.php:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );

Then check /wp-content/debug.log for details.

Plugin Not Appearing After FTP Upload

Cause: Incorrect folder structure. WordPress expects the main plugin file to be directly inside the plugin folder.

Solutions:

• Check that the structure is /wp-content/plugins/plugin-name/plugin-name.php, not /wp-content/plugins/plugin-name/plugin-name/plugin-name.php.
• If you see a nested folder, move the contents up one level.

Activating Your License

Most premium WooCommerce extensions require license activation to receive updates and support.

1. After activating the plugin, go to its settings page.
2. Find the license or activation field.
3. Enter your license key (found in your vendor account or purchase email).
4. Click Activate or Save.

For Kestrel extensions, license management is available in each plugin’s settings. You can also manage all licenses at kestrelwp.com/my-account.

If you purchased an extension from the WooCommerce.com marketplace, license management works differently. You’ll need to connect your site to your WooCommerce.com account. See Managing WooCommerce.com Subscriptions for instructions on connecting your store, transferring subscriptions between sites, and managing renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unzip the plugin file before uploading?

No. When using WordPress admin (Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin), upload the .zip file directly. Only extract the file when using FTP.

Will I lose my settings if I delete and reinstall a plugin?

No. Plugin settings are stored in your WordPress database, not in the plugin files. Deleting and reinstalling a plugin preserves all configuration. The only exception is if a plugin stores data in its own folder, which is rare.

How do I know if an update is available?

If your license is active, update notifications appear in Dashboard > Updates and next to the plugin in Plugins > Installed Plugins. You can also check your vendor account for the latest version number and compare it to the installed version shown in your plugins list.

Should I update WooCommerce extensions on my live site?

For small sites with minimal customization, updating directly is usually safe. For stores with significant revenue, custom code, or complex integrations, always test updates in a staging environment first.

Can I install the same extension on multiple sites?

This depends on your license terms. Check your vendor’s licensing policy. Kestrel licenses specify the number of sites allowed per license. You can view and manage your site activations in your account.

What if my extension doesn’t work after updating WooCommerce?

Check that your extension version is compatible with your WooCommerce version. Visit your vendor’s changelog or compatibility documentation. If you’ve confirmed an incompatibility, contact the extension vendor for an update or temporarily roll back WooCommerce until a compatible version is released.

Need Help?

If you’re experiencing issues installing or updating a Kestrel extension, contact our support team. Include the error message, your WordPress and WooCommerce versions, and the extension name and version.