WordPress theme editor is missing

Question

I am trying to access the theme editor in WordPress.

The problem is that I cannot find the option under Admin-Appearances - Editor and when I try to access the page using the link http://www.nameofsite.com/wp-admin/theme-editor.php I get the error:

You do not have sufficient permissions to access this page.

I am logged in as an administrator. Why can't I find the editor option?

score 45 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 08 '17 at 21:13

45

It is probably because of iThemes Security and its settings. So yeah, just go to wp-config and change DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT to false.

define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', false );

Or just switch it off here: Dashboard -> Security -> WordPress Tweaks -> Configure Settings

Uncheck: Disable File Editor

answered Jun 08 '17 at 21:13

Jirka Štencek

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I can't find 'Security' within 'Dashboard' – Tapa Dipti Sitaula Dec 14 '18 at 10:27
In Ithemes Security setting -> settings -> advanced -> Wordpress Tweaks then uncheck: Disable File Editor – leens witts Mar 07 '22 at 20:39

score 16 · Answer 2 · edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:34

16

Open up your wp-config.php file, and search for

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

Change true to false:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', false);

edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:34

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jul 18 '16 at 21:42

Peter

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Harsh Prajapati · Answer 3 · 2021-12-15T12:51:17.443

8

For those who are using Siteground hosting define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', false); won't work. Sitegound hosting provide SG Security plugin by default on direct WordPress installation from cPanel and it blocks the Theme Editor and Plugin Editor option by default.

To enable the Theme Editor and Plugin Editor option you just need to disable the option called Disable Themes & Plugins Editor under Site Security. Here is the path to disable that option :

Click on SG Security -> Site Security -> Disable Themes & Plugins Editor Option

That's it. I hope you find it useful.

edited Dec 15 '21 at 12:51

answered Dec 14 '21 at 05:38

Harsh Prajapati

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saved my day... – arslaan ejaz Feb 06 '22 at 21:08
Mine also, thanks :) – P.Belberov Mar 01 '22 at 16:30

score 5 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 21 '22 at 23:26

5

If you used Siteground host.. you can enable theme editor that option:

Go to domain.com/wp-admin.php
SG Security
Site Security
Disable Themes & Plugins Editor Option

I hope this is useful for you.

answered Jan 21 '22 at 23:26

Khaled Daqqa

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score 4 · Answer 5 · edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:40

4

Hack:

Manually browse: domain.com/wp-admin/theme-editor.php

edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:40

Peter Mortensen

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answered Sep 25 '19 at 14:38

Rashedul Islam Sagor

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This won't work. The following issue will occur. You do not have sufficient permissions to access this page. – BeaST 30 Jun 16 '21 at 06:07
Worked for me on wordpress.com. – neoswf Aug 31 '23 at 13:42

score 3 · Answer 6 · answered Dec 18 '20 at 10:09

3

At root directory of your wordpress. Open up your wp-config.php file, and search for

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

Change true to false:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', false);

answered Dec 18 '20 at 10:09

Atif Tariq

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score 1 · Answer 7 · edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:39

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The Sucuri WordPress plugin will also disable the editor in its settings under the "Hardening" tab. You can click on Revert Hardening, make your changes, and then go back and apply hardening when you're finished.

edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:39

Peter Mortensen

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answered Aug 09 '19 at 19:20

Tim Leon

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score 1 · Answer 8 · answered Nov 29 '21 at 22:40

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It is also possible that it is being blocked by a security plugin or the like. In my case SG security (from siteground) had an option active that deactivated the editor.

answered Nov 29 '21 at 22:40

eldervl

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score 1 · Answer 9 · edited Aug 09 '23 at 03:28

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Remove both codes

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', false);
define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true);

After this just refresh, the dashboard Theme editor will appear.

edited Aug 09 '23 at 03:28

Vel

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answered Dec 07 '21 at 08:34

stepiadm

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score 0 · Answer 10 · edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:38

0

To enable the theme editor, follow these steps:

Go to Appearance, select one theme (any one you like) and activate it.
In this activated theme, go to Appearance → Editor → select the theme to edit (on the top right, above Templates. There is a drop-down click on it and select your previous theme.)
Now select config.php or demo config.php and remove the define ( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT, true); code.
Now click on Update file.
Now change the theme to your previous theme.

Now you can find your editor in the Appearance drop-down.

edited Aug 14 '20 at 17:38

Peter Mortensen

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answered Oct 01 '17 at 14:54

Silpa

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thank you but i could find appearance in the options of porto themes for wordpress. – Nzui Manto Oct 05 '18 at 07:52
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This isn't correct, the questioner's issue is that appearance --> editor isn't appearing, you're telling them to use that path within the answer. The problem is a security setting as talked about below, they need to go into wp-config.php or deactivate this security feature with the plugin they are using. – logos_164 Nov 28 '18 at 15:36

score 0 · Answer 11 · answered Apr 04 '23 at 14:21

There might have set DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT constant value to true somewhere in your wordpress website. All you need to do is set that value to false.

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', false);

It should be in wp-config.php or wp-settings.php usually. But it could be in some where else depends on the website builder.

score 0 · Answer 12 · answered May 12 '23 at 13:23

0

Note that when you are using a block enabled theme, it's no longer possible to edit your theme and plugin files directly from within WordPress. https://wordpress.org/support/topic/link-to-plugin-editor-missing-when-using-twenty-twenty-two-theme/

answered May 12 '23 at 13:23

Jules Colle

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WordPress theme editor is missing

12 Answers12

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