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Resolving WooCommerce 'Error While Connecting Store' Due to Plugin Folder Rename via FTP

This article helps Webgility Desktop users troubleshoot the "Error while connecting store" message when integrating with WooCommerce. It explains how unexpected changes to the WooCommerce plugin folder name often made via FTP or hosting file managers can cause this issue, and provides steps to identify and fix the problem.

Issue Overview

You may receive an "Error while connecting store" message when attempting to set up or reconnect your WooCommerce store in Webgility Desktop. This issue often occurs because the main WooCommerce plugin's folder name on your website's server has been altered, which disrupts how the plugin functions and breaks the communication with Webgility.

Root Cause

WordPress and WooCommerce expect their plugins to be in specific folder names. If the WooCommerce plugin's folder is renamed (e.g., from woocommerce to woocommerce_old or woocommerce_backup) via FTP or your hosting's file manager, WordPress can no longer find and reference the plugin correctly. This leads to connection errors, failed plugin activations, or missing functionalities when Webgility tries to communicate with your store.

Symptoms

You are likely facing this issue if:

  • You receive an "Error while connecting store" or a "401 Unauthorized" error when trying to connect your WooCommerce store in Webgility Desktop.
  • You are unable to download orders or synchronize other data from your WooCommerce store.
  • The WooCommerce plugin might appear deactivated or show an error in your WordPress Admin Dashboard even though it's installed.

Step-by-Step Resolution

Follow these steps to check and correct your WooCommerce plugin's folder name and restore your connection.

1. Access Your WordPress Files (via FTP or File Manager)

You'll need to access your WordPress installation's files to check the plugin folder name. You can typically do this using an FTP client (like FileZilla) or through the "File Manager" feature in your website hosting control panel (like cPanel, Plesk, etc.).

  1. Connect to your website's server using FTP or open your hosting's file manager.
  2. Navigate to the wp-content/plugins/ directory.
  3. Locate the WooCommerce plugin folder within this directory.
  4. Crucially, ensure that this folder name is exactly woocommerce (all lowercase, no spaces, no special characters, and no extra numbers or underscores like woocommerce_1).

2. Correct the Plugin Folder Name

If the plugin folder name is incorrect, you'll need to rename it.

  1. If the WooCommerce plugin folder is named anything other than woocommerce (for example, woocommerce_backup, woo_commerce, or woocommerce_old), rename it to woocommerce.
  2. Important: Make sure all the plugin files within the folder remain intact during this renaming process. Do not move or delete any files.

3. Reactivate the Plugin

After renaming the folder, you'll need to reactivate the plugin from your WordPress admin panel.

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
  3. Find WooCommerce in the list. If it appears deactivated or has a notice about being renamed, click Activate.

4. Reattempt Store Connection in Webgility Desktop

Now, return to Webgility Desktop and try connecting your store again.

  1. Open Webgility Desktop.
  2. Go to Connections > Sales Channels > Manage Sales Channel.
  3. Select your WooCommerce store and click Edit Connection.
  4. Click the Test Store Connection button. If the connection fails, try clicking Reconnect and re-enter your credentials.
  5. Confirm that the authentication is successful this time.

5. Test Order Downloads

Once the connection is restored, verify that everything is working as expected.

  1. In Webgility Desktop, go to Orders > Get Orders.
  2. Initiate an order download to confirm that your orders are now importing successfully.

Best Practices

  • Regularly update all your WooCommerce plugins, your WordPress core, and your Webgility Desktop application to avoid compatibility issues.
  • Periodically review and reconcile your data between your systems. This helps you catch any potential sync failures early.
  • Before making any significant changes to your WordPress files (like renaming folders), it's always a good idea to create a backup of your website.