---
title: "Fix “wp-config.php is not writable”"
description: "What the \"wp-config.php is not writable\" message means, and how to fix it."
url: "https://docs.prefixwp.com/docs/bugtrace/debug-settings/wp-config-is-not-writable/"
updated: "2026-11-10"
category: Debug settings
---

# Fix “wp-config.php is not writable”

BugTrace changes your `wp-config.php` file to turn debug settings on or off. If WordPress cannot write to this file, you see this message on the Logs and Settings pages:

```
Please note, wp-config.php is not writable. Please change file permissions.
```

[![The BugTrace Settings page with a red message: Please note, wp-config.php is not writable. Please change file permissions.](http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bugtrace-settings-not-writable.webp)](http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bugtrace-settings-not-writable.webp)
The message on the Settings page.

## What this means

- BugTrace cannot save any setting. This includes the **Log Timezone**.
- When you click **Save Settings**, nothing happens. You do not see an error.
- You can still read your log on the Logs page.

## How to fix it

The file permissions of `wp-config.php` do not let your website change the file.

1. Log in to your hosting account.
2. Open the **File Manager**. Or connect with FTP.
3. Find `wp-config.php` in the main folder of your WordPress site.
4. Change the permissions. `644` works on most hosts.
5. Go back to `BugTrace → Settings`. The message is gone. Save your settings again.

If you are not sure how to do this, ask your web host. Tell them: "Please make wp-config.php writable for WordPress."

Some hosts make `wp-config.php` read-only on purpose, for security. After you change your debug settings, you can ask your host to make it read-only again. BugTrace cannot save settings while the file is read-only.

## If your wp-config.php is in another folder

WordPress allows you to move `wp-config.php` one folder above your WordPress folder. BugTrace only looks in the WordPress folder. So it shows the message, even if the file is writable.

In this case, set the debug lines by hand. Open `wp-config.php` and add or change these lines. Put them above the line `/* That's all, stop editing! */`.

```
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
```

BugTrace can still show your log on the Logs page.