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How to Increase Maximum Upload File Size in WordPress?

How to Increase Maximum Upload File Size in WordPress?

To ensure your site runs efficiently and safely, WordPress implements upload limits. Certain files can vastly slow down the performance of your website, the way a truck does when it drives into a busy cafe. These limitations put in place reasonable bounds that prevent crashing your site while also preventing security issues.

Fortunately, if you find yourself needing to upload a large, high-res item such as a video, exceeding one of the limitations is a simple process. In other words, you do not have to deal with artificial restrictions on a daily basis with unreasonably low caps. 

Common Issues Due to Low Upload Limits

When tasked with uploading information within a severely low bound, these following obstacles may be encountered: 

Can’t Upload High-Res Media: Not being able to upload clear images or videos due to the exceeding file limit prevents you from properly representing your brand.

Installation Woes: If you need to install a theme or plugin with either of the two having larger than average file sizes, it may lead to you tearing your hair out.

Performance Slowdowns: After overcoming the challenges, your website may continue to exhibit difficulty in processing or displaying large files, resulting in increased loading times and even freezing every so often. 

Workflow Disruptions: For example, as a content creator, you may be faced with constant upload failures that disrupt your workflow, necessitating file size compression or picture formatting changes. 

Consider, for example, a colossal suitcase which does not fit into a car’s trunk. In the end, no matter how hard you try, the files are simply left unresolved. Thankfully, there are straightforward adjustments which will increase the limit so your site can effortlessly accommodate honest content without overheating. 

How to Find Your Maximum Upload Size

I have a tip for you; if you want to know the maximum file size allowed to be uploaded onto your site, here is how to check it: 

A Quick Look at the Dashboard: 

Go to the Media option then to Add New from the WordPress admin region. You will find an upload box, underneath the box is text stating something like ‘maximum upload file size: 8MB.’ That’s the limit you need to work with.

  1. Make a Quick PHP Info File:  

For those in need of a more tech deep-dive, creating a php file might be more your speed. Start by creating a file named phpinfo.php in the root directory for your site, then add this code:   

php  

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<?php phpinfo(); ?>   

Next, head onto your site’s URL and add /phpinfo.php to the end. (Example: yoursite.com/phpinfo.php). From here, look for the term upload_max_filesize. You will then get competitive value which shows your current limit.  

WordPress Upload File Limit Increase Techniques

Let’s make sure you use all helpful tools available to you in order to increase your WordPress upload limit size. Imagine we are grabbing coffee, I will make sure to explain each one to you:  

Editing php.ini File:  

This is a file that manages many PHP server settings. Open it up; you might need FTP or access through your hosting control panel. Look for the lines upload_max_filesize and post_max_size, and again change those values to something higher. After those changes, you’ll need to restart the server in order to let those settings take effect.

Modifying .htaccess File:
If you’re using an Apache server, you can adjust some settings directly in your .htaccess file. Just add a few lines like:
nginx
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php_value upload_max_filesize 64M

php_value post_max_size 64M

Save the file and check if the modifications are working. However, be careful about the changes made in htaccess as it can impact your entire site.

To make changes in wp-config.php:

Sometimes, including a line or two in your wp-config.php file might be beneficial. Try to add the following edit:

@[“upload_max_size”] php

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@ini_set( ‘upload_max_size’ , ‘64M’);

@ini_set( ‘post_max_size’, ’64M’);

This might help you set your limits at the specified time. Just open the file using a text editing program, and add the lines near the top after the opening tag of PHP and remember to save the file.

Altering Server Settings (through CPANEL or Hosting Server):

Most of the hosting providers will give you the option to modify the PHP settings directly through their control panels differing from other services. If you have CPanel, look for a ‘Select PHP Version’ or ‘MultiPHP INI Editor’ selection. From there, you can change the settings for upload_max_filesize and post_max_size without the need to modify any other files.

Using a Plugin for Increasing Upload Size:

If you’re not ready to make changes to the files or the server settings, there are certain plugins available that will help you achieve that. Plugins like ‘Increase Maximum Upload File Size’ allow you to set a new limit straight from the WordPress dashboard.

Getting in Touch With Your Hosting Provider: 

Sometimes it’s easier simply to reach out. If you are on a shared hosting account or if the other methods did not work, then try to contact your hosting provider. They will most likely lift the barriers for you.

Each of these methods has its advantages, and whatever approach you take depends on your level of experience and what sort of hosting package you’ve got. If one method isn’t successful, switch to a different one or ask for some help. 

What to Do If Changes Do Not Seem to Work?

If you’ve been working on the grow larger plugin for WordPress and increasing the upload file size, but that does not seem to happen, then do not panic. Probably you are not the only one facing this issue. Let’s go through a few steps you can try to solve your issue. 

Determine Which php.ini File You Are Modifying: 

Why It Is Important: Servers usually have multiple php.ini files, and if you are attempting to edit one of the others, then your edits will not take effect. 

How To Identify The Correct One: You need to create a file named phpinfo.php with the body containing <?php phpinfo(); ?> add this file to the server and browse it. This will tell your which <= php.ini > file is in use. 

Reboot Your Server:

Why It Is Required: Servers typically do not apply changes made to php.ini until the server has been restarted.

What Needs To Be Done: Reach out to your hosting provider or use the hosting control panel on your own.

Clear Your Cache: 

The Reason Why It Helps: Servers and browsers are capable of caching old data, making it look like no changes have been made.

How To Delete: Delete the cache on your web browser or any caching plugins or services that you might be utilizing. 

Check for Server Level Restrictions: 

What’s New: A few hosting services impose additional restrictions that can nullify your settings. 

What To Do: Contact the hosting service provider to identify if there are any restrictions and request them to increase the limit to which you are able to upload files. 

Verify File Permissions: 

What And Why It Is Important: The wrong set permissions can block the server from reading any of the changes you’ve implemented. 

How To Fix: Make sure that the files you made edits to have the appropriate permission set, for instance it is usually 644 for php.ini or .htaccess. 

Double Check for Typos:

Why It Matters: In most cases no change being successfully implemented can stem down to a minor typo. 

What To Note: Verify that every directive has been spelled right and that values are correctly set.

WordPress Memory Limit and Execution Time Issues

Difficulties with memory limits and execution time in WordPress may result in reduced functionality for your site and its visitors. These complications tend to appear in the form of messages which state that memory is full of that some scripts have timed out. Here are steps on how they may be solved:

Description of the Problems:

Memory Limit Exhausted: WordPress operates on PHP and PPH uses a custom memory limit. Once the site’s demand exceed the available limit, a fatal error gets triggered.

wpbeginner.com

Maximum Execution Time Exceeded: In an effort to avoid server exploitation, PHP scripts come attached with an execution time cap. If the duration of the script exceeds that limit, an error gets generated.

wpbeginner.com

Ways To Solve The Issues:

Increase PHP Memory Limit: 

Edit wp-config.php: Place define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’); before the line /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */.

Modify .htaccess: Place php_value memory_limit 256M into the file at the closing section.

Adjust php.ini: Apply memory_limit = 256M. Take note, restricted access on shared hosting can affect php.ini.

wpbegginer.com

Increase Maximum Execution Time:

Edit .htaccess: Add the following line php_value max_execution_time 300.

Modify php.ini: Set max_execution_time = 300. Be careful that you are altering the correct php.ini file. There may be many on the system.

stackoverflow.com

Key Points to Remember:

Limits of The Hosting Provider: These might apply with certain hosting companies regarding memory and execution time. If none of the modifications seem to work, reach out to the hosting support team.

Resource Efficiency: Update the themes and plugins frequently and delete the ones that are not needed at all to help improve memory.

All these tips will help improve your WordPress setup and mitigate errors associated with memory and execution time.

Best Techniques When Dealing With Very Large Uploads

There are indeed difficulties when dealing with large file uploads in WordPress websites, however, with the appropriate measures put in place, the effectiveness of the site is guaranteed. Here are some actions that need to be taken to deal with large files appropriately:

Modify The Server Setting:

What is the Importance: Servers often have a set limit on the size of the uploaded file to prevent overloads.

The Way to Do It: Adding changes in your php.ini or .htaccess file is a good way to update the allowed upload size, maximum file size, and post maximum size. If you are not confident editing these files directly, it’s safer to use a plugin that allows easier changes to restrict file size upload.

Improve Media File Quality:

What is the Importance: High quality files tend to take a lot of space and heavily restrict the efficiency of the site.

The Way to Do It: A good strategy that does not compromise file quality is to compress images and videos before uploading using tools or plugins, reducing its size significantly.

Employ A Content Delivery Network (CDN) CDN:

Why is it helpful? Users are given quicker access to the files that are stored on various servers in different regions of the world. 

How do I do this? To do this, simply register with a CDN service and adjust the settings to connect with your WordPress website. This CDN service fetches bulky files from the main server which improves performance. 

Use File Chunking: 

Why is it effective? Uploading large files in components, lowers the chances of receiving an error or time out notification.

How do I do it? WordPress has plugins that allow users to upload enormous files with ease without worrying about any restrictions. 

Supervise Server Resources:

Why is it crucial? Monitoring server resources is crucial in order to alleviate potential problems before they surface and interfere with your site. 

How do I do it? Check how much server storage and bandwidth are in use from time to time. consistent server usage can be a sign it is time to change your hosting plan.

Taking these steps will allow for more efficient management of large uploads to the WordPress site while providing visitors with an excellent overall experience.

When to Consider Alternative Solutions (CDN, Cloud Storage, etc.)

Large file uploads in a WordPress website are a costly affair if not managed properly. Let’s look at some steps which can ease the burden of those large files:  

Edit Server Configurations:   

Why is it Necessary? Server defaults impose restrictions on upload size in efforts to stave off system overload.  

How to Do-It: Go to php.ini or .htaccess in your server’s folder and set max size values to your preferred limits. If you’re not tech savvy, then large upload size modifying plugins would work for you perfectly.  

Reduce Size of Media Files:  

What is the Advantage? Bigger sized files not only slow down the site, but also users trying to access it.  

How to Do-It: Use an image/video compressor plugins or tools to compress the content before uploading to ensure quality isn’t compromised while minimizing the file size.  

Incorporate Content Delivery Network (CDN):  

What is the Benefit? A CDN reduces the distance and time spent in gaining access to the uploaded files by storing them at multiple global locations.  

How to Do-It: Create an account with any CDN service provider and link it with your WordPress website. Now your site will perform better because large files won’t be hosting off your main server.

Set Up File Chunking:

What’s The Secret: When large files are split into smaller segments, the possibilities of timeouts and errors drastically drop. 

How To: Use plugins that can handle file chunking so that large files can be uploaded without any interruptions.

Always Track Your Server Resources:

What’s The Secret: To avoid issues arising out of low performance, tracking your server’s resources is critical. 

How To: Make it a habit to monitor the bandwidth and storage consumed by your server. If the resources are getting exhausted consistently, consider updating your hosting service plan.

In your WordPress site, these tips will help to better manage large file uploads for you and your users.

Conclussion-

Managing the limitations that come with a WordPress upload can be irritating. However, I hope you agree that it can be solved once you put your mind to it. Whether it is configuring the php.ini file, changing the .htaccess file, installing a dedicated plugin, or even contacting the hosting provider, there is something available for each skill level.

If you’re managing large files more often than not, consider optimizing your media o making use of a CDN to keep your site well-performing and agile. And if everything fails, reach out to your hosting provider as they could have some restrictions on their end which wouldn’t allow you to do it by yourself.

You can change the upload size restriction by just choosing the appropriate solutions to your specific environment with ease. Give these options a try, and you’ll be uploading bigger files in no time! 🚀

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