Unable to copy WordPress website in Plesk: site-copy failed: tar: ./wp-content: file changed as we read it

Symptoms

• Copying a WordPress site using Plesk > Domains > example.com > WordPress > Copy fails with the following error:

  site-copy failed: tar: ./wp-content: file changed as we read it.

• The website has a lot of content and might be considered as a large website, e.g. 5GB or more

Cause

The site is online - new content appears and log entries are constantly generating. The content (files and folders) indicated in the error message changes during the copying operation and, therefore, cannot be copied correctly.

Resolution

1. Log in to Plesk.

2. Temporarily suspend the website at Domains > example.com > Suspend.

3. Proceed to copy the site to the right subscription.

4. Re-active the site at Domains > example.com > Activate.