Bought a plugin somewhere other than the WordPress Plugin Directory? If you have the .zip file on your computer, you can install it right from your dashboard — no file transfer tools, no code.

## Before you start

- The plugin .zip file, saved somewhere you can easily find it
- An administrator account on your site — only administrators can install plugins

## Steps

### Step 1: Open the Add Plugin screen

In your dashboard, click **Plugins** in the left-hand menu. Then click **Add Plugin** at the top of the page.

![Open the Add Plugin screen](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1MDUsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--9f0dc9e7f69225b15934cea8cf9220aca4e38d55/block_open-plugins-screen.png)

### Step 2: Open the upload form

The Add Plugins screen shows plugins from the WordPress Plugin Directory. You don't need any of those — click **Upload Plugin** instead. A small upload box opens on the same page.

![Open the upload form](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1MDYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--a06a7b6aed2eb32c4f272f31a37d8fbebeb2ef86/block_open-upload-form.png)

### Step 3: Choose your file and install it

Pick the .zip file you downloaded, then click **Install Now**. WordPress uploads the file, unpacks it, and installs the plugin for you.

![Choose your file and install it](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1MDQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--14cec63878bf0c44dc50a269b97afa9080c73503/block_choose-and-install.png)

### Step 4: Activate your new plugin

When the install finishes, WordPress confirms it with **Plugin installed successfully.** Click **Activate Plugin** and the plugin is live on your site, or use **Go to Plugin Installer** to return to the Add Plugins screen and switch it on from the Plugins list whenever you're ready.

![Activate your new plugin](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1MDMsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--05635f4e8e821c54857df10da5787d5f6a16ab12/block_activate-plugin.png)

## Good to know

- Only upload .zip files from developers you trust — a plugin runs with the same access to your site as you do.
- Have a newer version of the same plugin? Uploading the new .zip over it updates the plugin in place.
- WordPress only takes a .zip here, so leave the plugin folder zipped rather than uncompressed.

## Summary

Plugins ▸ Add Plugin ▸ **Upload Plugin** ▸ pick your .zip ▸ **Install Now** ▸ **Activate Plugin**. Any plugin you've downloaded as a .zip file is now working on your site.