QuickInstall Error Installation Directory is Not Empty

When you're trying to install WordPress with the QuickInstall method, sometimes you'll get the error "Installation directory is not empty. Please install to an empty location". This error presents when there are files already present in the directory you're trying to install WordPress to and can be remedied by clearing the directory. This article covers how to achieve this for your Primary domain, Addon, and Subdomains.

How To resolve this error for your Primary Domain:

1. In the cPanel, click on File Manager in the Files section.
2. On the left-hand side, select the folder public_html, as this is the document root for your primary domain.
3. In the upper right-hand corner, click on the Settings button.
4. Check the box next to Show Hidden Files and click Save, this allows you to see all of the files in the folder.
5. Select all of the files and folders in the directory by clicking the Select All button at the top of the window.
6. Then, click x Delete, to move everything to the trash.

Now that the directory is clear, you should be able to install WordPress without getting any errors. If you're still getting this error, see the section below on checking the database.

Trouble Installing WordPress For a Subdomain or Addon Domain

The process is the same as the above except for the directory you need to clear. To determine what the document root for the site, you'll need to do the following.

1. Locate the DOMAINS box in the cPanel and then select either Addon Domains or Subdomains.
2. Scroll down to see the list of domains.
3. Take note of the directory in the second column labeled Document Root; this is where the files for the site live.
4. Open the directory:
   1. a. If the directory listed starts with /example.com, then it will be listed on the left-hand side of the file manager in the home directory.
   2. b. If there is another directory name before your domain name, such as /public_html/example.com, then you will select public_html in the file manager, and then double-click the example.com folder inside the public_html directory to open it.
5. In the upper right-hand corner, click on the Settings button.
6. Check the box next to Show Hidden Files and click Save, this allows you to see all of the files in the folder.
7. Select all of the files and folders in the directory by clicking the Select All button at the top of the window.
8. Then, click x Delete, to move everything to the trash.

Now that the directory is clear, you should be able to install WordPress without getting any errors. If you're still getting this error, see the section below on checking the database.

Still Getting the Error?

Doing the process above should resolve the issue. However, if it does not, then the problem could be that the database or database user that the Quick Install process is trying to create already exists, and it needs to be renamed or deleted.

During the Quick Install process, it will create a database named cpaneluser_wrdp# and a corresponding database user with the same name. If either the database or user already exists without the matching user/database, then you may see the error.

This problem can be remedied by renaming or deleting the existing user or database. See our guide here on how to that: How Do I Create a MySQL Database, a User, and Then Delete if Needed?