Download failed 📝 WordPress

WordPress: Download failed. A valid URL was not provided / cURL error 60 / Could not resolve host: downloads.wordpress.org

WordPress couldn’t download an update package — outbound HTTP blocked, DNS failure, SSL CA issues, or a premium plugin license URL problem.

Seen on: WordPress

Meaning

Updates fetch from downloads.wordpress.org or vendor URLs via cURL. Firewalls blocking outbound traffic, outdated CA bundles (cURL error 60), DNS issues, or expired licenses for premium plugins cause it.

Common causes

  • Server blocks outbound HTTPS
  • DNS cannot resolve downloads.wordpress.org
  • Outdated CA certificates (cURL error 60)
  • Premium plugin license/URL invalid
  • WP_HTTP_BLOCK_EXTERNAL defined

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Test from the server: curl -I https://downloads.wordpress.org
  2. Update CA certificates
  3. Check license status for premium plugins; WP_ACCESSIBLE_HOSTS if blocking externals

Detailed fix by platform

Linux

  1. bash
    curl -sI https://downloads.wordpress.org | head -1
sudo apt install --reinstall ca-certificates

How to diagnose

  1. Network — Outbound allowed?
  2. Error — cURL code
  3. Config — WP_HTTP_BLOCK_EXTERNAL

🔧 Still not fixed?

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