How to install a plugin on Moodle

Expand Your Moodle Site: A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Plugins via the Web Interface

Hi there, Moodle Administrators! Darren O’Neill here from Darren’s Tech Tutorials.

Moodle is an incredibly powerful platform on its own, but its true strength lies in its ability to be customized and expanded using plugins. Whether you need a specific new activity, a different reporting mechanism, or an administrative utility, a Moodle plugin can add that functionality right into your site.

In this guide, we’re going to walk through the easiest way to install a Moodle plugin: using the built-in web graphical user interface (GUI). While this tutorial focuses on Moodle 3.11, the process remains virtually identical for most versions of Moodle 3 and 4.

Let’s dive in and upgrade your Moodle site!

Step 1: Locating and Downloading Your Plugin

Before we can upload anything, we need the plugin file itself. All official Moodle plugins are housed in the central Moodle Plugins Directory.

1. Access the Directory: Simply search for “Moodle Plugins” or navigate directly to the Moodle Plugins Directory website.
2. Search: Use the search filters to find the specific type of plugin you need (e.g., Activity Modules, Blocks, Themes). For this example, we’ll look for the popular Attendance activity module.
3. Review and Download: Once you find the desired plugin, click on its name. Crucially, ensure that the version of the plugin you download is compatible with your version of Moodle.
4. Download: Click the Download button. This will save a compressed .zip file of the plugin to your computer (e.g., mod_attendance.zip). Make sure you know where this file is saved, as we will need it in the next step.

Step 2: Accessing the Plugin Installation Manager

Now that we have the plugin file ready, we navigate to the administration area of your Moodle instance.

1. Log in to your Moodle site as an Administrator.
2. In the main navigation menu, click Site Administration.
3. Navigate to the Plugins tab.
4. Under the Plugins section, click Install Plugins.

This page is where Moodle manages all plugin uploads and initial checks.

Step 3: Uploading the Plugin ZIP File

This step involves uploading the compressed file we downloaded earlier directly into Moodle.

1. On the Install Plugins screen, locate the section that says Install plugin from ZIP file.
2. Click the Choose file button.
3. Click Choose file again (this will open your local file browser).
4. Navigate to your Downloads folder (or wherever you saved the file) and select the plugin .zip file (e.g., mod_attendance.zip).
5. Click Upload this file.
6. Once the file is uploaded, you will see the plugin name displayed next to the box. Click Install plugin from ZIP file.

Moodle will immediately run a validation check to ensure the file is correctly packaged and compatible with your system. You should see a message confirming the validation was successful.

Step 4: Server Validation and Database Upgrade

After successful validation, Moodle performs system checks and begins the installation process.

1. Server Environment Checks: You will see a series of checks on your Moodle server environment. All checks must be marked OK. If you see any warnings, address them if necessary, but generally, you can click Continue.
2. Review the Installation: Moodle will display details about the plugin you are about to install.
3. Database Upgrade: Click Upgrade Moodle database now.

This action triggers the core installation process. Moodle adds all necessary tables and configuration entries for the new plugin into its database. You will see a “Success” message once this process is complete. Click Continue again.

Step 5: Final Configuration and Verification

Your plugin is now installed, but you may need to set initial parameters.

1. Configure Defaults: Moodle will present a configuration screen for the newly installed plugin (for Attendance, this includes default settings). Review the settings, make any necessary adjustments, or simply accept the defaults.
2. Click Save changes.

You will be redirected back to the Site Administration home screen, confirming the plugin is ready to use!

Verifying the Plugin Installation

To ensure everything worked correctly, let’s confirm the plugin is visible in a course:

1. Navigate to your site dashboard or a test course.
2. Click Turn editing on.
3. Click Add an activity or resource.
4. The new plugin (e.g., Attendance) should now appear in the list of available activities.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed a Moodle plugin via the web GUI, extending the functionality of your Moodle platform.

Ready to Expand Your Moodle Site?

Installing plugins is a fantastic way to customize Moodle to meet the specific needs of your institution or students. This simple web interface method makes managing new features quick and painless.

If you found this video helpful, please give it a like and subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more clear, practical technology guides. If you have any questions about plugin installations or Moodle administration, drop a comment below—I’m happy to help!

Thanks for watching!