This is the Fix for the Error "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server"
If you're a WordPress user, you've probably encountered the error "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server" at some point. This error message can be frustrating, but don't worry – we've got the solution for you.
What Causes the "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server" Error?
The "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server" error typically occurs when the file permissions on your WordPress installation are not set correctly. Specifically, the issue is with the permissions on the /wp-includes/ms-files.php
file.
This file is part of the core WordPress installation, and it's responsible for handling media files in a WordPress Multisite network. If the file doesn't have the correct permissions, your website won't be able to access it, resulting in the error message you're seeing.
How to Fix the "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server" Error
To fix this error, you'll need to check and change the file permissions on your WordPress installation. Here's how to do it:
1. Check the File Permissions
The first step is to check the file permissions on the /wp-includes/ms-files.php
file. You can do this through your hosting provider's file manager or by using an FTP client.
Once you've accessed the file manager, navigate to the /wp-includes/
directory and right-click on the ms-files.php
file. Look for the "Permissions" or "Properties" option, and make a note of the current file permissions.
Ideally, the file permissions should be set to 644
or 664
, which means that the file can be read and written by the server, and read-only by the user.
If the file permissions are set to something else, such as 0600
or 0400
, this could be the cause of the "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server" error.
2. Change the File Permissions
If the file permissions are not set correctly, you'll need to change them. You can do this through your hosting provider's file manager or by using an FTP client.
To change the file permissions, right-click on the ms-files.php
file and select the "Permissions" or "Properties" option. Then, set the file permissions to 644
or 664
.
If you're using an FTP client, you can change the file permissions by right-clicking on the ms-files.php
file and selecting "File Permissions" or "CHMOD". Then, enter the desired permissions (e.g., 644
or 664
) and click "OK".
It's important to note that the exact file permissions may vary depending on your hosting provider and the specific configuration of your WordPress installation. If you're unsure about the correct file permissions, you can consult your hosting provider's documentation or reach out to their support team for assistance.
3. Clear Your Browser Cache
After changing the file permissions, it's a good idea to clear your browser cache. This will ensure that your browser is loading the updated file permissions and not relying on a cached version of the page.
To clear your browser cache, follow these steps:
- Google Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows) or Command+Shift+Del (Mac), select "Cached images and files," and click "Clear data."
- Mozilla Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows) or Command+Shift+Del (Mac), select "Cached Web Content," and click "Clear."
- Microsoft Edge: Press Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows), select "Cached images and files," and click "Clear now."
- Safari: Go to Safari > Clear History and Website Data, select the desired time range, and click "Clear History and Data."
After clearing your browser cache, try accessing the /wp-includes/ms-files.php
file again. If the error persists, you may need to try additional troubleshooting steps.
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Other Potential Solutions
If changing the file permissions doesn't resolve the "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server" error, here are a few other things you can try:
-
Check Your WordPress Multisite Configuration: If you're using a WordPress Multisite network, make sure that your Multisite configuration is set up correctly. Verify that the UPLOADS
constant in your wp-config.php
file is pointing to the correct directory.
-
Deactivate and Reactivate Plugins: Sometimes, a plugin conflict can cause issues with file permissions. Try deactivating any recently installed plugins and see if that resolves the problem. If it does, you can then reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
-
Update WordPress, Plugins, and Themes: Ensure that your WordPress installation, plugins, and themes are up-to-date. Outdated software can sometimes lead to file permission issues.
-
Check Your Hosting Environment: Lastly, make sure that your hosting environment is configured correctly. Some hosting providers have specific requirements or settings that can impact file permissions. If you're unsure, reach out to your hosting provider's support team for assistance.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the "You don't have permission to access /wp-includes/ms-files.php on this server" error and get your WordPress website back up and running.
If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to seek help from the WordPress community or your hosting provider's support team. They can provide additional guidance and troubleshooting assistance to ensure that your WordPress site is functioning properly.
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