How to Upload / Install Custom WordPress Theme Manually

WordPress Theme Installation without having any programming, coding, or technical knowledge is possible for newbies and beginners. WordPress platform also offers online themes and templates by default via WordPress Dashboard, but to Install WordPress Custom Theme, you have to first Free Download WordPress Theme or any Premium WordPress Theme online over Internet. There are three different Ways to Upload WordPress Theme on websites and blogs, two methods are possible through WordPress Admin or Dashboard panel, and the third method can be performed via FTP access. In this article, we are sharing the easiest and less time-consuming Way to Install Custom WordPress Theme via WordPress Admin Panel or WordPress Dashboard. So let's get started.

How to Install and Upload Theme to WordPress Manually

Step # 1: Select a WordPress Theme: The very first step is to find your most suitable Free WordPress Theme or Premium WordPress Theme all over the internet. To save your time, you can head over to TemplateWallet.com to Search WordPress Templates online from many categories, and you can Free Download WordPress Themes as well. After you download WordPress template, you Don't Need to Unzip Theme File. Because unlike Blogger Template Installation, WordPress doesn't need the single XML format file, instead WordPress requires whole .ZIP Format Theme File. So you must get ZIP Format WordPress Theme File after download.

Step # 2: Upload a WordPress Theme: After getting .ZIP format WordPress Theme file, you can login to your WordPress Dashboard/Admin Panel. Now navigate to, Appearance (left side) >> Themes >> Click on Add New button (top side) >> Press Upload Theme Button (top side) >> Click on Choose File button >> Now Upload Downloaded WordPress ZIP format file (from step 1) >> Press Install Now button. After that, WordPress will starts installing Custom WordPress Theme Installation itself.

Custom WordPress Theme Installation Guide

Step # 3: Activate a WordPress Theme: After Manual Installation of WordPress Theme, you will get a success message along with "Live Preview" link and "Activate" link. Now Click on Activate button to activate your newly installed WordPress template. Congratulations!! Your WordPress Custom Theme has been installed and activated successfully.

WordPress Theme Activation Guide

Note: You can find all your installed WordPress templates under Appearance >> Themes section. Moreover, you can search WordPress themes online available via WordPress.org theme’s directory by pressing Add New button at the top. To further customize and configure installed WordPress theme, you can navigate to Appearance >> Customize section or Appearance >> Widgets section from your WordPress Dashboard or WordPress Admin Panel.