Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Fix WordPress Admin Links Trigger Download of File

WordPress is a widely popular content management system that requires little to no coding skills to set up a website. However, sometimes users encounter a problem where clicking on any admin link triggers the download of a file on their website. This can be frustrating, but there are a few simple steps you can take to fix this issue.

Updating Permalink Settings

One of the first steps you should take when experiencing this issue is to update your permalink settings. This can be done by navigating to the WordPress Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks. From there, select the "Plain" option and click on "Save Changes". Now, go back and select your preferred permalink structure and save changes again. This should resolve the issue in most cases.

Disabling Plugins

Another common cause of the admin links triggering downloads is a plugin conflict. To check if this is the issue, you will need to disable all your plugins. This can be done by going to the WordPress Dashboard > Plugins and selecting all plugins. From the "Bulk Actions" dropdown, select "Deactivate" and click on "Apply". Now, try clicking on the admin links to see if the issue has been resolved. If it has, you can go ahead and reactivate your plugins one by one to determine which one was causing the issue.

Clearing Browser Cache

Your browser's cache can sometimes store outdated information that may trigger the download of a file when an admin link is clicked. To solve this issue, you should clear your browser's cache and cookies. This can be done through your browser's settings or preferences. Once your cache and cookies have been cleared, reload your website and try clicking on the admin links again.

Updating WordPress Core

If none of the above solutions work, you should consider updating your WordPress core. This can be done by navigating to the WordPress Dashboard > Updates and clicking on the "Update" button. If there is a newer version of WordPress available, update it and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why the admin links on a WordPress site may trigger the download of a file. However, most of these issues can be resolved by updating permalink settings, disabling plugins, clearing browser cache, or updating the WordPress core. By following the steps outlined in this article, you will be able to fix this issue and continue using your WordPress website with ease.