If the Download ZIP link from Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard is missing on Plugins > Installed Plugins or Appearance > Themes, confirm the plugin is active and that your account has the activate_plugins (plugins) or switch_themes (themes) capability. Admin UI or security plugins can also strip the link. The link is free.
Where the link should appear #
- Next to each plugin on Plugins > Installed Plugins, as a Download ZIP action link.
- Next to each theme on Appearance > Themes.
The Download all tools and the settings page are separate: they live at WPFactory > Download plugins and Themes. Seeing the settings page but no per-item link is exactly the symptom this article fixes.
1. Confirm the plugin is active #
Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and check that Download Plugins and Themes is activated. The action link is added through the standard plugin_action_links filter, so it only shows while the plugin is active.
2. Check your user capabilities #
The links are capability gated. If your account lacks the capability, the link is hidden:
- The plugin Download ZIP link needs the
activate_pluginscapability. - The theme Download ZIP link needs the
switch_themescapability.
Both are part of the Administrator role. Custom or reduced roles may not have them, so test with a full administrator account or have the capability added to your role.
3. Rule out an admin UI or security plugin #
Admin theme, admin columns and security plugins can strip action links from the Plugins and Themes list tables. Temporarily deactivate those plugins, or test on a default admin UI, then reload the screen. Re-enable them one at a time to find the one that removes the link.
4. On multisite, look on the individual site #
The link is added to each site’s own Plugins and Appearance > Themes screens, not to Network Admin. On a multisite network, open a single site’s admin (not Network Admin > Plugins) to see the per-item links. See the multisite troubleshooting guide for more.
5. Clear caches #
A caching plugin or your browser can serve an older copy of the admin list. Clear both, then reload the Plugins or Themes screen.
Still not showing? #
Collect your WordPress version, plugin version, active plugins, theme and user role, then contact the Download Plugins and Themes support forum. To learn how the link works once it appears, see the how to download a single plugin or theme guide.
