How to Update a GPL Theme or Plugin

Updating GPL themes and plugins is a simple process. However, to prevent installation conflicts, we strongly recommend installing the Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades plugin before updating any GPL item.

This plugin is available for free and can be downloaded by [clicking here] or by searching for it in the WordPress plugin repository.

Once installed and activated, this plugin allows you to update any theme or plugin by simply uploading a .zip file, ensuring a seamless upgrade process.

Updating a GPL Plugin

Follow these steps to update a GPL plugin:

1. Download the Latest Version:
   • Log in to realgpls.com and navigate to MY ACCOUNT > DOWNLOADS.
   • Download the latest .zip file for the plugin. The updated version will have a new version number.
2. Upload and Install the Updated Plugin:
   • Log in to your WordPress website.
   • Navigate to Plugins > Add New (even though you are updating).
   • Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.
   • Select the downloaded .zip file containing the updated version.
   • Click Install Now.
3. Activate the Updated Plugin:
   • Once the installation is complete, click Activate to enable the latest version of the plugin.

Updating a GPL Theme

To update a GPL theme, follow these steps:

1. Download the Latest Version:
   • Log in to realgpls.com and go to MY ACCOUNT > DOWNLOADS.
   • Download the latest .zip file for the theme. The updated version will have a new version number.
2. Upload and Install the Updated Theme:
   • Log in to your WordPress website.
   • Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
   • Click the Add New button at the top of the page (even if you are updating).
   • Click the Upload Theme button.
   • Select the .zip file containing the updated theme version.
   • Click Install Now.
3. Activate the Updated Theme:
   • Once the installation is complete, click Activate to apply the latest version of the theme.

Troubleshooting Update Errors

If you encounter an error during the update process, consider the following solutions:

1. Double Compression Issue

Some products, particularly those from Themeforest and Codecanyon, may be packaged as ZIP files within another ZIP file.

• Before installation, check the downloaded file to see if it contains another ZIP file.
• If you upload the main ZIP and receive an error such as “The package could not be installed. The theme is missing the style.css stylesheet.”, the file you uploaded is likely not the installable one.
• To resolve this, extract the main ZIP file and locate the installable ZIP inside, then proceed with the update.

2. Correct Upload Location

Ensure that the file is uploaded to the correct section of your WordPress dashboard:

• Plugins, Extensions, and Add-ons must be uploaded under Plugins > Add New.
• Themes must be uploaded under Appearance > Themes > Add New.

3. Verify WordPress Minimum Requirements

Ensure that your hosting environment meets the following minimum system requirements for WordPress:

• Web Server: Apache or NGINX with at least 128MB RAM
• PHP Version: 5.6 or 7.0
• Database: MySQL 5.6+ or MariaDB 10.0+
• Apache Module: mod_rewrite enabled

These requirements can be found in the Q&A section of our website.

4. Adjust PHP Settings

To prevent errors during installation, verify that your web server has the following PHP settings configured:

max_execution_time = 600
max_input_vars = 5000
memory_limit = 256M
post_max_size = 128M
upload_max_filesize = 128M

These settings can be adjusted in your php.ini file or through your hosting provider’s control panel.

5. Uploading Large Themes (Over 200MB)

For themes exceeding 200MB, which typically include multiple templates and assets, it is recommended to upload them via FTP instead of using the WordPress dashboard. This method helps avoid server timeouts and ensures a smooth update process.

By following these guidelines, you can successfully update GPL themes and plugins without encountering common installation errors.