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dnsServer•admin_panel_settingspermissionsfolderfilesystemerrorwp_errordescriptiontemporary filesettingsserver_configuration•star_halfUncommon•warningModerate

WP_Error: Could not create the temporary file

WordPress tries to create a temporary file during uploads, plugin installs, and core updates. The process uses PHP’s tempnam() function, which relies on a writable temporary directory.

If the directory is missing, unwritable, or the server lacks space, tempnam() fails and WordPress returns this error.

Symptoms

[dashicons-warning]
Error shown in admin UI
Message appears during media upload, plugin install, or core update.
[dashicons-warning]
Missing a temporary folder notice
WordPress displays a related warning about a missing temporary folder.
[dashicons-no-alt]
Upload stalls at 0 %
File upload stops immediately and no file appears in Media Library.

Common Causes

PHP upload_tmp_dir mis‑configured
The PHP setting points to a non‑existent or protected path.
File‑system permissions incorrect
Directories such as wp‑content/uploads lack write permission for the web server user.
Disk space exhausted
Server has no free space or inodes for a new temporary file.
Security policies block writes
SELinux, AppArmor, or open_basedir restrictions prevent file creation in the temp folder.
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