---
title: How to Install a WordPress Theme
description: "This guide provides step-by-step instructions to install a theme using three different methods: - 🧭 Install from the WordPress Admin Dashboard (search & install) - 📦 Upload ZIP file via WordPress Admin - 📂 Install via FTP/SFTP > ⚠️ Note:…"
url: "https://axisthemes.com/documentations/how-to-install-a-wordpress-theme/"
updated: "2025-08-05"
category: Theme Basic
---

# How to Install a WordPress Theme

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to install a theme using three different methods:

- 🧭 Install from the WordPress Admin Dashboard (search & install)
- 📦 Upload ZIP file via WordPress Admin
- 📂 Install via FTP/SFTP

> ⚠️ Note: These steps apply to all our WordPress themes, not just Axis FSE. We're using the Axis FSE theme in this documentation as an example.

### ✅ Prerequisites

- WordPress 5.9 or above (Axis FSE is a Full Site Editing (FSE) theme)
- A working WordPress site with admin access
- ZIP file of the Axis FSE theme (for ZIP and FTP methods)

### 🧭 Method 1: Install Axis FSE via WordPress Admin (Search & Install)

- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Go to Appearance > Themes.
- Click the “Add New” button at the top.
- In the search bar, type: Axis FSE
- Once you see the theme, click “Install”.
- After installation, click “Activate” to make it your active theme.

✅ Done! Axis FSE is now live on your website.

### 📦 Method 2: Upload ZIP File via WordPress Admin

Use this method if you’ve downloaded the theme ZIP file from our website or another source.

- Download the ZIP file for Axis FSE from the theme provider.
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New.
- Click the “Upload Theme” button at the top.
- Click “Choose File” and select the Axis FSE .zip file.
- Click “Install Now”.
- Once installed, click “Activate”.

✅ Axis FSE is now installed and activated.

### 📂 Method 3: Install Axis FSE via FTP/SFTP

If you prefer or need to install the theme manually via FTP/SFTP, follow these steps:

**Step 1: Download & Unzip**

- Download the Axis FSE theme .zip file.
- Extract the .zip file on your computer. You should get a folder named axis-fse or similar.

**Step 2: Upload via FTP**

- Connect to your website using an FTP client like FileZilla or through your hosting control panel’s File Manager.
- Navigate to /wp-content/themes/
- Upload the unzipped folder (axis-fse) into the themes directory.
- Once uploaded, go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
- Locate Axis FSE and click Activate.

✅ The theme is now installed via FTP and ready to use.

### 🛠️ Need Help?

If you experience issues during installation:

- Check file/folder permissions
- Make sure your server meets WordPress requirements
- Ensure ZIP is not double-zipped (i.e., not nested folders)

Feel free to contact our [support team](https://axisthemes.com/support/) for further assistance.