Plugins not found in WordPress admin 😬

Photo credits: Veronica Reverse Unsplash

Issue:
A number of plugins are missing in the WordPress admin. These plugins are in the folder on the server.
How can I get these plugins visible and working again?

This article is for those who have a little know-how about what goes on in the back end of your website.

There are several possible causes (and solutions) when you can see the plugin folders physically inside /wp‑content/plugins/—for example via Plesk or FTP—but they do not appear in the WordPress Dashboard under “Plugins.”

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1. The plugin structure or header is missing

Check whether the plugin folder contains a main PHP file with a correct plugin header at the top, e.g.:

/*
Plugin Name: My Plugin
Plugin URI: ...
Description: ...
Version: ...
Author: ...
*/

If this header is missing—or not in the main file—WordPress will not recognise the plugin.

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2. Wrong folder name or nesting level

Sometimes a plugin sits one folder too deep, so WordPress cannot detect it, e.g.:

wp-content/plugins/my-plugin/my-plugin/my-plugin-file.php

WordPress only “reads” the first directory under /plugins/. The main PHP file must live directly inside that folder. Make sure the plugin folder is not double‑nested or misnamed.

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3. Incorrect file permissions

File permissions should normally be 755 for folders and 644 for files.
If the web server (or PHP‑FPM under Plesk) cannot read the files, WordPress will not “see” the plugin.

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4. Corrupt file or wrong plugin version

The plugin may have been corrupted during upload or update.
Delete the plugin folder (or move it temporarily), then upload a fresh copy. WordPress will usually recognise the new plugin immediately.

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5. Multisite or “Must‑Use Plugins” (MU‑plugins)

On a Multisite setup, some plugins must be activated at Network Admin level, or they might reside in the wp-content/mu-plugins folder. MU‑plugins do not always appear in the regular plugin list.

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6. Plugin temporarily deactivated after a fatal error

If a plugin previously caused a fatal error, WordPress can auto‑deactivate it after an update.
Check the error logs (via Plesk or wp-content/debug.log if WP_DEBUG is enabled) for plugin‑related errors. Fix them and then reactivate the plugin.

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Step‑by‑step checklist

1. Inspect the plugin folder in Plesk
   • Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/.
   • Does each plugin sit in a single folder with a clear name?
   • Is there a PHP file in that folder with a proper plugin header?
2. Rename or restructure the plugin folder
   • If the folder structure is wrong, create a folder named after the plugin and place the main plugin file inside it.
   • Return to Dashboard → Plugins and check whether it now appears.
3. Look for fatal errors
   • Open the error logs. If you see any PHP errors, fix them or upload a clean copy of the plugin.
4. Set correct file permissions
   • Ensure folders are 755 and files are 644.
5. Re‑upload the plugin
   • If nothing else works, download a fresh copy (from the original source or your backup) and upload it manually to /wp-content/plugins/.
   • The plugin should then be available for normal activation in the WordPress dashboard.

By following these checks and steps, you will usually discover why the plugin is not visible in the admin area—and get it working again. Good luck!

PS
My Issue was solved by #1. The PHP files of the missing plugins had the PHP header missing.