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Fixing the 'Unable to Open File for Reading' Error in All-in-One WP Migration

29 threads Sep 7, 2025 Plugin → All-in-one wp migration and backup

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If you've encountered the frustrating "Unable to open file for reading" error while trying to import a .wpress file with the All-in-One WP Migration plugin, you're not alone. This is a common issue that many users face during website migrations. This guide will explain why this error occurs and walk you through the most effective troubleshooting steps to resolve it.

What Does This Error Mean?

The error message "Unable to open file for reading. File: /path/to/your/file.wpress" typically indicates that the plugin's PHP code is attempting to access the uploaded backup file but cannot find it or does not have permission to read it. This often happens after the upload progress bar reaches 100%, which can be particularly confusing.

Why Does This Happen?

Based on extensive community reports, the error is almost never due to a corrupt backup file. Instead, it is almost always caused by server-level restrictions that prevent the file from being fully processed after upload. The most common culprits are:

  • Insufficient PHP Configuration: The uploaded file exists temporarily, but server limits prevent it from being moved to the plugin's storage directory or being read.
  • Web Server Security Restrictions: Modules like mod_security or other hosting-level firewalls may block the file handling process.
  • File Permission Issues: The web server user (e.g., www-data) may not have read/write permissions for the plugin's storage directory.

How to Fix It: Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Adjust PHP Configuration Settings

The first and most critical step is to ensure your PHP configuration can handle the size of your backup file. You need to adjust the following settings in your php.ini file to values larger than your backup file. Contact your hosting provider if you need help locating or modifying this file.

  • upload_max_filesize = 256M (Set to at least 50MB more than your file size)
  • post_max_size = 256M (Must be larger than upload_max_filesize)
  • memory_limit = 512M (Provides ample memory for the import process)
  • max_execution_time = 300 (300 seconds, or set to 0 for 'no time limit')
  • max_input_time = 300 (300 seconds)

Important: After making these changes, you must restart your web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx) for them to take effect.

2. Check Your Web Server's Error Logs

Your server's error logs are the most valuable tool for diagnosing this problem. They often contain specific details that point to the exact restriction causing the failure. Contact your hosting provider and request the error logs for your website around the time you attempted the upload. Look for errors related to mod_security, file size limits, or permission denied warnings.

3. Verify File and Directory Permissions

The plugin needs to write to its own storage directory. Using an FTP client or your hosting provider's file manager, navigate to:

wp-content/plugins/all-in-one-wp-migration/

Ensure the storage folder has write permissions (typically 755 or 775). If you are unsure, try setting the permissions for the storage folder to 755. If the problem persists, try 775, but avoid using 777 as it is a security risk.

4. Consider Hosting-Specific Restrictions

Some hosting environments, particularly managed WordPress hosts or specific setups like Bitnami on AWS, have additional layers of security and configuration. The threads show that users on Bitnami stacks often encounter this issue. In these cases, you may need to consult your hosting provider's documentation or support team to adjust web server-level settings (e.g., in an .htaccess file or Nginx configuration) that override the PHP settings.

5. Alternative: Manual Extraction (Advanced)

If all else fails, the backup file is not corrupt. As a last resort, you can extract its contents manually. The .wpress file is a custom archive format. Community members have had success using third-party tools like the Wpress-Extractor script available on GitHub. This is an advanced, unofficial method where you would:

  1. Download and run the extractor on your local computer to convert the .wpress file into standard WordPress files and a database SQL dump.
  2. Manually upload the files via FTP and import the SQL database using phpMyAdmin.

This process is more technical but can bypass plugin-specific import issues entirely.

Summary

The "Unable to open file for reading" error is a server configuration issue, not a problem with your backup file. Systematically working through your PHP settings, checking error logs, and verifying permissions will almost always lead to a solution. If you are on a restricted hosting plan, engaging with your provider's support team is often the fastest path to resolution.

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