How To Increase Maximum Upload Limit & PHP Memory in WordPress

When operating WordPress, you may encounter common errors that limit your functionality or access. Common problems that arise are: exceeding upload limit, not enough memory to run certain themes or plugins, and fatal error pages.

These problems occur due to the settings on your web host. Some hosting companies restrict access or limit your resources, while others give you more flexibility.

To fix these problems or prevent any of these error messages from occurring, below we provide you with solutions that work. Test each method before proceeding to the next. You may find out that modifying your wp-config file works versus modifying your .htaccess file.

Increasing The Upload Limit and PHP Memory

Updating your wp-config file

1. Access File Manager using cPanel, Plesk, FTP, or your control panel.
2. In the main directory of your website, right-click on WP-Config.php, then click edit.
3. Add the following line of code:
   define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
   define(‘UPLOAD_MAX_SIZE’, ’64M’);
   define(‘POST_MAX_SIZE’, ’64M’);
4. Save. Changes should take effect immediately.

Updating your .htaccess file

1. Access File Manager using cPanel, Plesk, FTP, or your control panel.
2. Change view settings to show hidden files.
3. In the main directory of your website, right-click on .htaccess, then click edit.
4. At the bottom of this file, add the following lines of code:
   php_value memory_limit 256M
   php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
   php_value post_max_size 64M
   php_value max_execution_time 300
   php_value max_input_time 1000
5. Save. Changes should take effect immediately.

Updating your php.ini file

1. Access File Manager using cPanel, Plesk, FTP, or your control panel.
2. Locate the php.ini file. Right-click, then click edit.
3. Add the following lines of code:
   memory_limit = 256M
   upload_max_size = 64M
   post_max_size = 64M
   upload_max_filesize = 64M
   max_execution_time = 300
   max_input_time = 1000
4. Save. Changes should take effect immediately.

In the event that none of these methods work, contact your web host. Contacting support via telephone or live chat is the ideal solution. Some web host has to enable certain settings on their end. They can also let you know what restrictions are put in place or what problems your WordPress website is having.