Notepad++ Installation Error: Installation of plugin failed

I installed the newest version of Notepad++ on my Win 8.1 Professional. The version is called "Notepad++ Je suis Charlie edition, Build Time Jan 10 2015 - 17:20:21". The Plugin Manager delivered with that version of Notepad++ is 1.0.8. Now I want to add the "Compare" plugin:

• I start plugin manager.
• I wait until the list of available plugins has built up.
• I check "Compare" and click "Install".
• "An update is available to plugin Manager. It is strongly recommended..." -> "Yes".
• "Installation Error: Installation of Plugin Manager failed."
• "OK", and "Install" again.
• "An update is available to plugin Manager. It is strongly recommended..." -> "No".
• "Installation Error: Installation of Compare failed."

What exactly am I doing wrong? How can I debug this problem?

Solution 1:

Error: Installation of plugin failed

The latest version of the plugin manager was 1.4.9 at the time this answer was written(see Notepad++ Plugin Manager)

You can always find the latest release by going to https://github.com/bruderstein/nppPluginManager/releases/.

Try a manual install of the plugin manager:

1. Close notepad++

2. Download the latest plugin manager PluginManager_1.4.9_UNI.zip from https://github.com/bruderstein/nppPluginManager/releases/download/v1.4.9/PluginManager_v1.4.9_UNI.zip

3. Unzip the downloaded file

4. Copy plugins\PluginManager.dll to your notepad++\plugins directory

5. Restart notepad++

Solution 2:

I had this issue and the solution was simple:

1. Go to Plugin Manager via Plugins -> Plugin Manager -> Show Plugin Manager
2. Click on the Installed tab
3. Check Plugin Manager
4. Reinstall

Notepad++ will auto restart after prompt and the issue will be gone.