A depression WordPress upload size limit stops you from uploading large files, plugins, and themes. If you're building a media-heavy website, that tin exist a considerable obstacle. It's necessary to increment the max upload size in WordPress or your server (or both) in such cases.

Depending on your hosting provider and server, there are many ways to become about solving this consequence. We'll cover them all in this commodity and show y'all how to increase the maximum upload size in WordPress quickly.

Let's dive in!

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What Is the Maximum Upload Size in WordPress?

Uploading large files to a server consumes a lot of the server'due south resources. To forbid users from causing server timeouts, the default maximum upload size in WordPress typically ranges from 4 MB to 128 MB. Usually, the hosting provider sets this limit at the server level.

WordPress too includes constants that ascertain this limit, but they cannot override the server-level settings in near cases.

To verify this, go to your WordPress site's Media Library. Here, try to upload a file that crosses this maximum upload file size limit. Yous'll see an error message that looks something like this:

Error while uploading a large file in WordPress
Error while uploading a large file in WordPress

The "exceeds the maximum upload size for this site" error tin can be frustrating, only it exists for ii chief reasons: security and efficiency. Information technology hinders site owners and other users, including malicious actors, from uploading huge files (e.1000. high-resolution images, big videos).

Otherwise, it tin can result in incapacitating your website'south server, making your site come to a crawl. Or worse, it tin bring your site downward altogether!

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How to Cheque the Current Maximum Upload Size in WordPress

At that place are many ways to check your WordPress site's current max upload size. Allow's go through all of them.

In the Media Library

The quickest way to check your site's current maximum upload size is to go to your WordPress dashboard, and from at that place, go to Media > Library. Hither, click on the Add New push button to activate the media uploader tool.

The "Maximum upload size limit" in WordPress
The "Maximum upload size limit" in WordPress

As Kinsta hosts this site, the Maximum upload file size: 128 MB. bulletin displays beneath the Select Files push button. If you're using a different spider web hosting provider, you may see a different limit listed hither.

You can also go to Media > Add New straight and run into the same message displayed at the bottom.

The
The "Maximum upload file size" in WordPress' Media Library

Again, you can see the 128 MB max upload file size here.

In the Site Health Info

WordPress 5.2 added the Site Wellness Info tool to assist y'all debug your WordPress site improve. Here, yous can find virtually all the information near your server and WordPress configuration.

As both the server and WordPress handle the max upload file size, there are ii ways to notice its value on this screen.

First, you tin find information technology listed under the Media Treatment dropdown. Hither, look for the value of Max size of an uploaded file constant.

'Media Handling' settings in the 'Site Health Info' panel
'Media Handling' settings in the 'Site Wellness Info' console

The 2nd method is to look under the Server dropdown. You'll notice many options related to your webserver's setup under here. Delight search for the value for Upload max filesize constant to run into what it is. On this site, the max upload file size limit is 128 MB.

'Server' settings in the 'Site Health Info' panel
'Server' settings in the 'Site Wellness Info' panel

Y'all can too run into other PHP constants and their values, such as:

  • PHP post max size: Defines the maximum upload limit for POST requests.
  • PHP memory limit: Defines the memory allocated for PHP. It should exist ready equal to or higher than the Upload max filesize limit. Or else the upload will fail.

Your web host sets these options. Usually, starter hosting plans will have a lesser upload size limit than enterprise hosting plans. Some hosts may allow you lot to override these limits. But in near cases, you may need your hosting provider's assistance (and peradventure a programme upgrade) to increase them.

Why Increase the Maximum Upload File Size in WordPress?

There are many reasons why you may need to increase your WordPress site'southward maximum upload file size. Hither are the virtually common ones:

  • Y'all desire to install a large theme or plugin straight through the WordPress admin dashboard.
  • Updating your WordPress site regularly is a great mode to keep your readers engaged and render for more. And that includes uploading new images, videos, audios, and other media regularly. Notwithstanding, that'southward non always feasible when there'due south a file size limit for your uploads.
  • Y'all want to upload a big video or image as your site'south background or header.
  • You program to sell digital files such every bit ebooks, photographs, videos, themes, and plugins directly from your site. Sometimes, these files can run upwards to hundreds of megabytes (or more).

At present that nosotros've covered the basics of max upload file size in WordPress, permit'southward learn how to increase it.

10 Ways to Increase the Max Upload File Size in WordPress

There are many ways yous tin can fix the WordPress maximum upload size issue. We'll start with the easiest ones commencement, and then we'll motion on to the intermediate-level tutorials.

Contact Your Hosting Provider for Aid

If you're facing bug with uploading files and file size limits, reaching out to your hosting provider for help is 1 of the quickest solutions. Increasing the upload limit is a trivial chore for tech support, so most hosting companies can help you fix this result quickly.

Tinkering with your server or site configuration files can e'er be a challenge. Hence, we always recommend you try this method get-go.

If you're hosting your site with Kinsta, our knowledgeable support team is just a click abroad and bachelor 24/vii. To become started, go to your MyKinsta dashboard and click the chat icon in the bottom right corner.

Contact Kinsta support easily through MyKinsta
Contact Kinsta support hands through MyKinsta

We accept representatives to assist yous in many languages, including English, Castilian, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese.

Increase the Max Upload File Size in WordPress Multisite

If you're running a WordPress Multisite network, then you tin can modify the max upload file size for your network.

Kickoff, head to your Network Admin dashboard, and and then go to Settings > Network Settings screen. Here, gyre downwardly till you observe the Upload Settings section. You'll notice the Max upload file size field in this area.

The 'Max upload file size' in 'Network Settings'
The 'Max upload file size' field in 'Network Settings'

The default value of Max upload file size in a WordPress Multisite is 1500 KB (~1.5 MB). You tin can change this to a higher value and click the Save Changes push.

Note: You lot cannot circumvent the server-level max upload size limit from here. If the limit you set here is higher than the server'southward max upload size limit, the server will ignore it. You can use the methods described to a higher place to find your webserver's configuration.

The new 'Max upload file size' field in 'Network Settings'
The new 'Max upload file size' in 'Network Settings'

Here, we've set the new max upload file size to 131072 KB (~128 MB).

You tin likewise limit the total size of files uploaded to an individual site in the Multisite network. Even so, it'south disabled by default.

Update Your '.htaccess' File

If your webserver runs on Apache, you lot can update your site's .htaccess file to increase the max upload size in WordPress. You tin can notice your .htaccess file in the WordPress site's root directory.

As per PHP documentation, three PHP directives are responsible for how WordPress handles uploads. They are:

  • upload_max_filesize
  • post_max_size
  • memory_limit

We've already discussed them in the Site Health Info section above. It would help if you lot modified these three directives' values to admit your file sizes. For instance, if the largest file yous're planning to upload is 32 MB, we recommend the post-obit settings:

  • upload_max_filesize = 32M
  • post_max_size = 64M
  • memory_limit = 128M

Observe, all the values employ M instead of MB. That'due south how PHP handles its directives.

Uploads tin can contain extra data in addition to the file itself. Then, giving all other upload-related directives some breathing infinite is a good thought. You lot tin read our in-depth tutorial on how to meliorate PHP memory limit in WordPress for more information.

Access your .htaccess file via FTP/SFTP or your hosting provider's File Managing director.

Finding the '.htaccess' file
Finding the '.htaccess' file

Open up the.htaccess file with a text editor or lawmaking editor, and and then add the following lawmaking:

          php_value upload_max_filesize 32M php_value post_max_size 64M php_value memory_limit 128M php_value max_execution_time 300 php_value max_input_time 300        

You can notice 2 other PHP directives in the to a higher place lawmaking: max_execution_time and max_input_time . They ascertain how long a server spends on a single PHP task. The bigger your uploads, the bigger the fourth dimension spent volition be. Y'all need to set their values to a number that's advisable for your utilize instance.

Note: You may get a 500 Internal Server Error subsequently using the method above. About probable, information technology'due south because your server is running PHP in CGI mode. In such cases, you lot cannot use the above commands in your .htaccess file.

Create or Modify the 'php.ini' File

The php.ini file is where you define changes to your default PHP settings. Typically, it contains directives that define file timeouts, max upload size, and resource limits.

Using SSH or FTP, y'all can find the php.ini file in your WordPress root directory. In some cases, you may not locate information technology there. Fret not! You can create a new file with the same name in your site'south root directory.

How to create a new php.ini file
How to create a new php.ini file

With a code or text editor, add the post-obit lawmaking to your existing or new php.ini file:

          upload_max_filesize = 32M post_max_size = 64M memory_limit = 128M        

Don't forget to relieve your file after making the changes. Some hosts don't allow you to modify PHP settings via this method. In such a case, you tin go on to try the following solution instead.

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Create or Alter the '.user.ini' File

If your hosting provider has locked down the global PHP settings, they may have configured the server to work with .user.ini files instead of php.ini files.

Like php.ini and .htaccess files, y'all can find the .user.ini in your site's root directory. If you lot can't notice it, then you can create a new .user.ini file in the same location. Follow the same process described in the previous method to create a newphp.ini file.

Next, add the following code to your .user.ini file:

          upload_max_filesize = 32M post_max_size = 64M memory_limit = 128M        

You lot'll discover that it'south a echo of the previous method, except with a different filename.

Alter PHP Options via cPanel

If your hosting provider uses the cPanel dashboard to assistance you manage your server and site configuration, you can modify the max upload file size through its interface.

To get started, go to your cPanel dashboard, and select the Select PHP Version nether the Software department.

Click 'Select PHP Version' in cPanel dashboard
Click 'Select PHP Version' in the cPanel dashboard

Here, you can change your server's current PHP version and enable/disable many PHP extensions. Click on the Options link in the navigation menu to get to the PHP Options panel.

Go to the 'PHP Options' settings in cPanel
Go to the 'PHP Options' settings in cPanel

Scroll down here to modify the values of PHP directives such as upload_max_filesize , post_max_size , memory_limit , max_execution_time , and max_input_time . The max values you tin set here depend on your electric current hosting plan.

The 'PHP Options' screen in cPanel
The 'PHP Options' screen in cPanel

If you lot have any doubts about these values, we suggest y'all contact your hosting provider. The latest cPanel dashboard saves changes automatically, so you don't have to click anything. Just if y'all're using an older cPanel version, brand sure to click the Save Changes push button.

Increase the Max Upload File Size in Nginx

Nginx is some other webserver like Apache, only it's besides a lot more than. Typically, Nginx can handle more concurrent requests than Apache, making it a lot faster. Kinsta uses Nginx to power its operation-optimized hosting solutions for WordPress.

If you're running your WordPress site on Nginx, you'll need to modify both your php.ini and nginx.conf files. We've dealt with the former file before. The latter ane is called an Nginx config file.

On an Nginx server, you tin find the php.ini file at /etc/php/7.4/fpm/php.ini . Depending on which PHP version you've installed, the exact path may vary slightly.

          upload_max_filesize = 64M post_max_size = 128M        

You don't take to set the memory_limit in the higher up file as Nginx handles it differently. For more than, you can cheque out this Stack Overflow thread. After saving your php.ini file, enable the changes by restarting PHP-FPM using the below code in your terminal:

          sudo service php7.4-fpm restart        

Again, the verbal code may vary slightly depending on the PHP version installed on your server.

Side by side, use Nginx's client_max_body_size directive to set up the new max upload size limit. You lot demand to declare this directive in the nginx.conf file, which you lot tin observe at /etc/nginx/nginx.conf .

You can declare this directive inside the http {...} cake, the server {...} block, or the location {...} cake.

Setting it in the http cake will impact all the sites/apps hosted on this server.

          http {     ...     client_max_body_size 128M; }        

Defining information technology in the server cake will only affect a specific site/app hosted past this server.

          server {     ...     client_max_body_size 128M; }        

The location block only affects the specified directory (due east.g. files, uploads) inside a site/app.

          location /files {     ...     client_max_body_size 128M; }        

Don't forget to relieve the file and restart Nginx to apply the changes. To practice that, y'all can utilize the post-obit command in your concluding:

          sudo service nginx reload        

If y'all're a Kinsta client, y'all tin can't access your Nginx config straight. However, you lot tin can achieve out to our support squad, and they can quickly make the changes for you.

Use the WordPress 'upload_size_limit' Filter

WordPress 2.5 introduced the upload_size_limit filter, which filters the maximum upload size allowed in php.ini. Fifty-fifty WordPress uses this filter to show you the max upload size allowed, like in the Media Library and Site Wellness Info screens.

Beneath is an instance of this filter in action from WordPress correspondent Drew Jaynes. Information technology defines the upload size limit for all non-admin roles.

          /** * Filter the upload size limit for non-administrators. * * @param string $size Upload size limit (in bytes). * @render int (maybe) Filtered size limit. */ role filter_site_upload_size_limit( $size ) { // Set the upload size limit to 10 MB for users lacking the 'manage_options' capability. if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) { // 10 MB. $size = 1024 * 10000; } return $size; } add_filter( 'upload_size_limit', 'filter_site_upload_size_limit', twenty );        

The above code uses WordPress' manage_options capability to set this limit merely for non-admins. You can modify the code to target specific user roles or user ids. Read our in-depth WordPress roles and capabilities commodity for more information.

Use a WordPress Plugin

Messing with code using SSH or FTP/SFTP is not for everyone. If you lot're not comfortable with writing or editing code, you lot tin employ a WordPress plugin instead.

WP Maximum Upload File Size plugin
WP Maximum Upload File Size plugin

We'll be using the WP Maximum Upload File Size plugin here. As of writing this, it's the only up-to-date plugin on the WordPress plugin repository that helps you get this washed.

To get started, install and actuate the WP Maximum Upload File Size plugin. Next, go to its settings screen in your WordPress dashboard. Here, you can see the maximum upload file size ready by both your hosting provider and WordPress.

WP Maximum Upload File Size settings screen
WP Maximum Upload File Size settings screen

Here, you can see that the maximum upload file size set by WordPress is bottom than that set past your hosting provider. Hence, yous tin can crank it up past choosing the Maximum Upload File Size with the dropdown presented.

Note: If y'all want to set a max upload file size limit that'south larger than the 1 set by your hosting provider, it'due south non possible to practice information technology via this plugin. For that, you need to contact your hosting provider.

Upload Files via FTP/SFTP

Are yous still struggling with all the above methods? Or with your hosting provider to accept them raise the upload file size limit? You lot tin can ever upload big files via FTP/SFTP.

FileZilla window with a site connected
Drag and drop files to and for your server and calculator with SFTP

If you have a lot of large files to upload, this is the fastest method. Y'all can read our in-depth tutorial on how to bulk upload files to the WordPress media library for more than data.

Sometimes, WordPress doesn't recognize files uploaded via FTP/SFTP. If that's the instance, you can use the gratis Add together From Server plugin to import the uploaded files into WordPress.

Alternatively, you tin can do the aforementioned straight from the command line by importing images using WP-CLI. The wp media import command allows you to create attachments from local files or URLs.

Don't Edit the 'wp-config.php' File

Editing the wp-config.php file doesn't work anymore. We're adding it here considering we've plant many web tutorials that listing it every bit a legitimate mode to increase the max upload size in WordPress.

It involves going to your site'south root directory via FTP/SFTP or SSH and then editing the wp-config.php file.

Finding the 'wp-config.php' file
Finding the 'wp-config.php' file

You're suggested to add the post-obit code to the wp-config.php file:

          @ini_set( 'upload_max_size' , '64M' ); @ini_set( 'post_max_size', '128M'); @ini_set( 'memory_limit', '256M' );        

It fails to work because you tin just use the ini_set() function to gear up PHP directives that belong to the PHP_INI_ALL changeable mode.

Every bit upload_max_size and post_max_size belong to the PHP_INI_PERDIR changeable mode. You tin can only set them via php.ini, .htaccess, http.conf, or .user.ini.

If you've tried this method before without seeing any results, now you know why information technology fails.

Verify Your WordPress Site'south New Max Upload File Size

Finally, information technology'due south time to verify whether the new max upload file size limit is implemented in your WordPress site. To do this, follow the same procedure we discussed above to check the max upload file size in WordPress.

Go to your Media Library in the WordPress dashboard and check whether the max upload file size limit has changed.

Verifying the new max upload file size limit
Verifying the new max upload file size in 'Media Library'

Yep, it has changed. That's a success!

Y'all can also go to the Site Health Info panel and cheque for the aforementioned under Media Treatment and Server dropdowns.

Verifying the new max upload file size limit in 'Site Health Info'
Verifying the new max upload file size in 'Site Health Info > Media Library'
Verifying the new max upload file size limit in 'Site Health Info'
Verifying the new max upload file size in 'Site Health Info > Server'

Don't let the maximum upload size in WordPress hold you back! 🙅‍♂️ This guide will show yous how you can hands increase the limit to accommodate your larger files 👇 Click to Tweet

Summary

Every bit you've seen, increasing the maximum upload file size in WordPress isn't too complex. Whether yous're edifice a media-heavy portfolio site or installing a big theme, it's just a affair of knowing where to look for and what commands or tools to employ.

In nigh cases, reaching out to your hosting provider should be enough. However, if yous're stuck with a troublesome host, nosotros've shown you some alternative methods you lot tin try before migrating to better hosting.

Get uploading!

Did we cover it all? If you've experienced a stubborn case of upload file size limits, let us know how you managed to set it.


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