# WordPress: There doesn't seem to be a wp-config.php file. I need this before we can get started

**Code:** `There doesn't seem to be a wp-config.php file` · **Category:** WordPress · **Seen on:** WordPress

WordPress can’t find wp-config.php, so it starts the installer — on an existing site that means the file was deleted, renamed or the document root is wrong.

## Meaning

wp-config.php can live in the WordPress folder or one level up. Deployments that don’t include it, wrong document roots, or permission problems (unreadable) trigger the setup screen.

## Common causes

- wp-config.php missing from deployment
- Document root pointing to the wrong folder
- File unreadable by PHP
- Fresh install not yet configured

## Quick fix

1. Restore wp-config.php (not wp-config-sample.php)
2. Fix the vhost document root
3. Check file ownership/permissions

## Detailed fix by platform

### Shell

1. 

```php
ls -l /var/www/html/wp-config.php /var/www/wp-config.php
wp config create --dbname=wp --dbuser=wp --dbpass=secret --path=/var/www/html
```


## How to diagnose

1. **File** — Present and readable?
2. **Root** — Server document root

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Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/wordpress/wp-config-file-not-found)