Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Fix WordPress Website that Forces Download

If you've ever encountered a WordPress website that forces downloads instead of displaying content, you're not alone. It's a common issue that can be frustrating for both website visitors and owners. However, the good news is that there are a few easy solutions to this problem.

Check the File Type

First and foremost, check the file type of the content that's forcing the download. If it's an image, video, or some other media file, it may be because the file type isn't supported by the user's browser. In this case, you'll need to convert the file to a more widely-used format.

Check the MIME type

The MIME type is a type of identifier that helps browsers determine how to handle files. If the MIME type for the file is set incorrectly, it may cause the file to force a download instead of displaying on the website. To check the MIME type, you can use a plugin such as Force MIME Types.

Check Plugins and Themes

Sometimes, plugins and themes can cause issues with the way that content is displayed on a website. Try disabling any plugins or themes that may be causing the issue and see if it resolves the problem. If it does, you can narrow down which plugin or theme is causing the issue and either replace it or troubleshoot it further.

Add an HTML Wrapper

Adding an HTML wrapper can sometimes fix a website that's forcing downloads. This involves wrapping the content in HTML code so that the browser knows how to display it properly. You can use a plugin like Disable Real MIME Check to add this wrapper automatically.

Conclusion

Overall, if your WordPress website is forcing downloads, it's likely due to an issue with the file type, MIME type, plugins or themes, or lack of an HTML wrapper. By checking these things and applying the appropriate fixes, you can get your website back to displaying content properly.