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Frequently asked questions

Introduction​

Common questions about Free Downloads for WooCommerce.

General Questions​

What version of WooCommerce is supported?​

Free Downloads for WooCommerce supports WooCommerce version 3.0 and above, but should work with any version above 2.6.14. We recommend always using the latest version of WooCommerce for best compatibility and security.

How can I get support?​

Free Edition:
The plugin includes a full guide and settings explanation on the plugin settings page. For more help, post in the WordPress.org support forum. The WP Enhanced team monitors the forum, and the community can help too. Include WordPress version, PHP version, and plugin version when posting.

Pro Edition:
Submit support tickets through the WP Enhanced website. Premium support is included with your license.

Can I upgrade from the free version to the pro version?​

Of course! It's as easy as simply uninstalling the free version, installing the premium version, and getting on with your life. All your settings and data will be preserved.

How do I activate my license key?​

Go to the "Pro Edition" tab of the plugin settings page, enter your license key and hit save. Then you can click "Activate License". Any errors will be displayed on the page.

Download Process​

How are files downloaded?​

The plugin uses a safe and secure form on the front-end which requests the file. A second round of security checks is performed, and if everything is ok the file is downloaded using the WooCommerce downloader, as well as using the download method you set for WooCommerce (Force Downloads, X-Accel-Redirect/X-Sendfile, or Redirect).

That depends on your WooCommerce settings.

If you use the Force Downloads or X-Accel-Redirect/X-Sendfile download methods (found in the WooCommerce settings, Products, Downloadable Products) for your store downloading, the file paths and URLs will be hidden. If there are multiple files downloaded as a dynamically created ZIP file, regardless of setting, the URLs will be hidden.

If you use the Redirect download method, the full URL may be visible for single files. For example, a PDF. This is the same as it would be without this plugin.

If in doubt and you're worried, test it yourself on your own site, or please don't hesitate to get in touch.

How are the dynamically created ZIP files handled?​

The product files must have been uploaded to your WordPress site, for example using the WooCommerce Choose File option, otherwise the ZIP file will be empty. They will not be included if they are external links.

Once created with either all of the files for a product or a selection of the files, it is temporarily saved in a folder on your server. Every hour that folder is emptied. If you deactivate this plugin, that folder and its contents will be removed.

If you use external file links and have issues it is recommended that you use the Links Only display method, if you have products with multiple files.

Product Setup​

Why isn't the download button showing?​

The most common reasons:

  1. Price is not exactly 0 - The regular price must be exactly zero, not 0.01 or empty
  2. Product is not downloadable - Check the "Downloadable" checkbox in Product Data
  3. Product is not virtual - Check the "Virtual" checkbox in Product Data
  4. No files attached - Add at least one downloadable file
  5. Cache - Clear all caches (browser, server, plugins)

See Troubleshooting for more details.

Can I use this with paid products that are on sale for free?​

Yes! Enable the setting "Include paid items that are currently on sale for free" in the plugin settings. Products with a regular price greater than 0 but a sale price of exactly 0 will show download buttons.

Note: This is not recommended if you're using the "Redirect" WooCommerce download method, as file URLs may be visible.

Do I need to make products free in WooCommerce?​

Yes. The plugin works with WooCommerce's native free product functionality. Set the regular price to exactly 0, check "Downloadable" and "Virtual", and add your files.

Can I restrict free downloads to specific products?​

Yes. Enable "Include selected products only" in the plugin settings, then check "Include this product" on each product you want to include. This gives you precise control over which products use the plugin.

Features and Compatibility​

Are WooCommerce Memberships and/or Subscriptions supported?​

Yes, implicitly. The official Memberships and Subscriptions plugins from WooCommerce are supported. If you have a free product that requires a user have a membership to purchase, that free product will only be available to download if the user is a member.

See WooCommerce Memberships Integration for details.

Does this work with variable products?​

Free Edition: No, variable products are not supported in the free edition.

Pro Edition: Yes, the Pro edition includes full support for variable products and product bundles.

Does this work with product bundles?​

Free Edition: No, product bundles are not supported in the free edition.

Pro Edition: Yes, the Pro edition includes full support for WooCommerce Product Bundles.

Can I track who downloads what?​

Free Edition: Basic download counting is available (total downloads per product).

Pro Edition: Full download tracking with user information, timestamps, file details, and exportable statistics.

Can I limit downloads per user?​

Free Edition: No, download limits are not available in the free edition.

Pro Edition: Yes, you can set daily, weekly, monthly, or lifetime download limits per user.

Can I capture email addresses?​

Free Edition: No, email capture is not available in the free edition.

Pro Edition: Yes, you can require email addresses before downloads and integrate with Mailchimp.

Does this work with Quick View plugins?​

Yes! The plugin works with most popular Quick View plugins including YITH Quick View, WooCommerce Quick View, and theme-specific Quick View features.

See Quick View Integration for details.

Customization​

Can I customize the button text?​

Yes! You can customize button text in the plugin settings:

  • Single file button text
  • Multiple file button text
  • PDF viewer button text
  • Login required message

You can also customize per-product using shortcode parameters.

Can I style the download buttons?​

Yes! You can add custom CSS classes and inline styles in the plugin settings. The buttons use standard WooCommerce button classes by default, so they should match your theme automatically.

See Display Options for details.

Can I customize the download form?​

Yes! The plugin uses template files that you can override in your theme. Copy templates from the plugin to your theme's somdn-templates directory and customize them.

See Template Customization for details.

Can I use shortcodes to display downloads?​

Yes! The plugin provides shortcodes:

  • [download_now] - Display download button/link
  • [download_now_page] - Display full download form
  • [add_to_cart] - WooCommerce add to cart shortcode (works with free products)

See Shortcodes for details.

Technical Questions​

What are the server requirements?​

  • WordPress 5.0 or higher
  • WooCommerce 3.0 or higher
  • PHP 7.4 or higher (8.0+ recommended)
  • PHP ZipArchive extension (for multiple file downloads)
  • Write permissions on uploads directory

Does this work with caching plugins?​

Yes, but you may need to exclude product pages from cache or clear cache after making changes. The plugin uses nonces for security which expire after 24 hours.

Does this work with CDN?​

Yes, the plugin works with CDNs. However, for security features like hidden file URLs, files should be served through WordPress rather than directly from CDN.

Can I use this on a multisite?​

Yes, the plugin works on WordPress multisite installations. Activate it network-wide or per-site as needed.

Is this GDPR compliant?​

The free edition doesn't collect personal data by default. If you enable "Require login to download", user data is handled by WordPress.

The Pro edition includes download tracking and email capture features. You're responsible for adding appropriate privacy policy notices and obtaining consent as required by GDPR.

Troubleshooting​

Downloads aren't working​

Common causes:

  1. File URLs are incorrect or inaccessible
  2. JavaScript errors on the page
  3. Server configuration issues
  4. Plugin conflicts

See Troubleshooting for detailed solutions.

ZIP files aren't creating​

Common causes:

  1. Files are external URLs (not hosted on your server)
  2. PHP ZipArchive extension not available
  3. File permissions issues
  4. Memory limit too low

See Troubleshooting for solutions.

Buttons don't match my theme​

Add your theme's button classes in Settings > General > Button classes. Common classes:

  • btn btn-primary (Bootstrap)
  • button (WordPress default)
  • wp-block-button__link (Block themes)

See Display Options for styling details.

Login requirement not working​

Common causes:

  1. Cache not cleared
  2. Testing while logged in
  3. Setting not saved properly
  4. Plugin conflict

See Troubleshooting for solutions.

Pro Edition Questions​

What's included in the Pro edition?​

The Pro edition includes:

  • Download Tracking - Track who downloads what, when, and from where
  • Download Limits - Set daily, weekly, monthly, or lifetime limits per user
  • Email Capture - Require email addresses before downloads
  • Mailchimp Integration - Automatically add downloaders to Mailchimp lists
  • Statistics & Reports - Detailed analytics and exportable reports
  • Account History - Users can view their download history
  • PDF Watermarking - Add custom watermarks to PDF downloads
  • Variable Products - Support for WooCommerce variable products
  • Product Bundles - Support for WooCommerce Product Bundles
  • Premium Support - Priority support with direct developer access

How much does the Pro edition cost?​

Visit wpenhanced.com/products/free-downloads-woocommerce/ for current pricing and licensing options.

Do I get updates and support?​

Yes! Pro licenses include 12 months of updates and premium support. You can renew at a discount after the first year.

Can I use the Pro edition on multiple sites?​

License options:

  • Single Site - One website
  • 2-5 Sites - Up to 5 websites
  • Unlimited Sites - Unlimited websites

Choose the license that matches your needs.

What happens when my license expires?​

When your license expires:

  • The plugin continues to work
  • You no longer receive updates
  • You no longer have access to premium support
  • You can renew at a discount to restore updates and support

Still have questions?​

Free edition support​

Pro edition support​

  • WP Enhanced website – Submit support tickets; premium support is included with your license

Before contacting support​

Please provide:

  1. WordPress version
  2. WooCommerce version
  3. Plugin version (free or Pro)
  4. PHP version
  5. Theme name and version
  6. List of active plugins
  7. Error messages (exact text)
  8. Screenshots of the issue
  9. Steps to reproduce

This helps us help you faster.

What's Next​