How to Install and Activate Elementor Pro on WordPress (Official Method)

Elementor Pro unlocks the features that turn a basic page builder into a full website design system: the Theme Builder for headers, footers and templates, the Form widget, the Popup Builder, dynamic content and loop grids. Installing it takes about five minutes once you know one key fact: Elementor Pro does not replace the free Elementor plugin, it runs on top of it. You need both.

This guide covers the official installation process, licence activation and the errors people run into most often.

What you need before you start

• A WordPress website where you are logged in as an Administrator.
• An active Elementor Pro subscription bought from the official Elementor website.
• A recent backup of the site. It is a good habit before installing any plugin.
• A PHP version that meets Elementor's current requirements (check it in your hosting panel).

Important: only download Elementor Pro from your own Elementor account. "Free", "nulled" or "pre-activated" copies from other websites are unlicensed, receive no security updates and are one of the most common ways malware gets into WordPress sites.

Step 1: Install the free Elementor plugin

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
2. Search for Elementor. Look for "Elementor Website Builder" by Elementor.com.
3. Click Install Now, then Activate.

If Elementor opens a setup wizard, you can complete it or skip it; you will configure your site settings later.

Step 2: Download Elementor Pro from your account

1. Log in to your account on the official Elementor website.
2. Open your subscription and click the download button for Elementor Pro.
3. Save the .zip file. Do not unzip it. WordPress needs the zip file as it is. (On a Mac, Safari sometimes unzips downloads automatically; if that happens, use a different browser or turn off "Open safe files after downloading".)

Step 3: Upload and activate Elementor Pro

1. In WordPress, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin and click Upload Plugin at the top.
2. Choose the Elementor Pro zip file and click Install Now.
3. When the installation finishes, click Activate Plugin.

Step 4: Connect and activate your licence

After activation, WordPress shows a notice asking you to activate your licence. This step is what enables automatic updates, Pro templates and support.

1. Click Connect & Activate in the notice, or go to Elementor > License.
2. Log in to your Elementor account in the window that opens and approve the connection.
3. You return to WordPress, and the licence page shows your licence as active.

Step 5: Check that Pro is working

• Open Templates > Theme Builder. If it loads, Pro is active.
• Edit any page with Elementor and search the widget panel for Form or Loop Grid. Pro widgets should be available, not greyed out.
• Go to Dashboard > Updates and click Check again to confirm WordPress can see Pro updates.

Fixing common installation problems

"The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini"

Your server's upload limit is smaller than the plugin file. Increase the PHP upload limit (upload_max_filesize and post_max_size) in your hosting panel, or ask your host's support team to raise it. On Hostinger, this is under Advanced > PHP Configuration.

"The package could not be installed. No valid plugins were found."

You uploaded an unzipped folder, a zip inside a zip, or the wrong file. Download the zip again from your Elementor account and upload it directly.

"Elementor Pro requires Elementor" notice

The free Elementor plugin is missing, inactive or outdated. Install or update it from Plugins, activate it, and the notice disappears.

The licence will not connect

• Check that your subscription is active in your Elementor account.
• Check that your plan still has a free website activation; disconnect an old site if needed.
• If the site address recently changed (for example from a staging domain), disconnect and reconnect the licence.
• Temporarily pause security plugins or firewalls that may block the connection.

Updates fail later

Licence problems, outdated free Elementor, disk space and permissions cause most update failures. Our guide to fixing Elementor Pro update errors walks through every cause.

Should you install Elementor Pro on a live site?

Installing the plugin is low risk, but for an important business website it is good practice to test on a staging copy first. Many hosts offer one-click staging. Install and connect Pro there, check your key pages, then repeat on the live site.

Your first three tasks after installing Pro

1. Set global colors and fonts in Site Settings so every design stays on-brand.
2. Build a header and footer in the Theme Builder and apply them to the entire site.
3. Create a single post template so every blog post shares a clean, readable layout.

These three steps make a site feel consistent immediately and save time on every page you build afterwards. Continue with our guide to the Elementor Pro features worth learning first, or see the full site-building workflow in build a WordPress website without coding.

Keeping Elementor Pro healthy

• Update the free Elementor plugin first, then Elementor Pro.
• Keep the licence renewed to receive security fixes.
• After major updates, regenerate Elementor's files in Elementor > Tools and clear all caches.
• Keep regular backups so any problem is a two-minute restore, not a crisis.

Download the troubleshooting checklist below. It covers installation, licence and update problems on one page.