Comprehensive Guide to WordPress Installation on Ubuntu

WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) written in PHP and using a MySQL or MariaDB database. According to W3Techs data for July 2025, WordPress powers 43.1% of websites with a known CMS. Originally created as a blogging platform in 2003, WordPress has evolved into a powerful tool for creating any type of website. Its popularity stems from ease of use, flexibility, and an extensive developer community.

This article provides an up-to-date guide for installing WordPress on an Ubuntu server, considering modern security and performance requirements.

Prerequisites

Before installing WordPress, ensure your Ubuntu server meets these requirements:

• Apache web server: Installed with the mod_rewrite module enabled (for SEO-friendly URLs):
  sudo a2enmod rewrite
  sudo systemctl restart apache2
• PHP 8.0 or higher: With essential modules installed:
  sudo apt install php-mysql php-curl php-gd php-xml php-mbstring php-zip
  sudo systemctl restart apache2
• MySQL 8.0 or higher: With a database configured in utf8mb4 encoding:
  mysql --version

Downloading WordPress

1. Download the archive
   wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz
2. Extract the archive completely
   tar -xzf latest.tar.gz

Database Configuration

Create a Unicode-compatible database and user with minimal privileges:

Important: Using mysql_native_password ensures compatibility with WordPress.

WordPress Configuration

1. Copy the sample configuration
   cp /var/www/html/wp-config-sample.php /var/www/html/wp-config.php
2. Add salt keys
   Generate unique keys at api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/ and paste them in wp-config.php replacing:
   define('AUTH_KEY', 'insert your unique phrase');
   define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'insert your unique phrase');
   // ... remaining keys
3. Configure database access
   Edit in wp-config.php:
   define('DB_NAME', 'wordpress');
   define('DB_USER', 'wp_user');
   define('DB_PASSWORD', 'secure_password');
   define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
4. Set secure permissions
   cd /var/www/html
   sudo find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
   sudo find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
   sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html

Running the Installation Script

1. Access the installer in your browser
   Navigate to http://your_IP_address or http://localhost
2. Enter site information
   • Site title
   • Username (avoid using "admin")
   • Strong password
   • Administrator email
3. Complete installation
   Click "Install WordPress" and log into the admin dashboard

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

Database connection error

1. Verify MySQL user authentication:
   SELECT plugin FROM mysql.user WHERE User = 'wp_user';

   Should return: mysql_native_password

2. Check MySQL status:
   sudo systemctl status mysql

Permission issues

1. Check file ownership:
   ls -l /var/www/html
2. Fix permissions:
   sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html
   sudo find /var/www/html -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
   sudo find /var/www/html -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

Missing functionality

1. Install required PHP modules:
   sudo apt install php-json php-xmlrpc php-soap php-intl
   sudo systemctl restart apache2

SEO-friendly URL issues (Pretty Permalinks)

1. Enable mod_rewrite:
   sudo a2enmod rewrite
2. Add to .htaccess:

   AllowOverride All

Installing WordPress on Ubuntu requires attention to modern security requirements, especially when using MySQL 8.0 and PHP 8.0+. By following this guide, you'll create an optimized and secure environment for your website. Regularly update WordPress and its components to maintain security.

Table: Essential WordPress Installation Commands