Knowledgebase

Do you want to increase the maximum file upload size in WordPress? Are you getting “The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini” errors when uploading files via media uploader, or when installing plugins and themes?

The most common cause of this error can be attributed to a few PHP settings that can easily be changed in the php.ini, .htaccess file, wp-config.php file, the theme’s functions.php file or with the Increase Max Upload Filesize plugin. This article will walk you through all four solutions.

• Using the MultiPHP INI Editor on Cpanel
• Using the PHP.INI File
• Using the .htaccess File
• Using the WP-CONFIG.PHP or FUNCTIONS.PHP
• Using the Increase Max Upload Filesize Plugin

You can check what your upload filesize limit currently is in WordPress by following the steps below:

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Media and click Add New.
3. Below the upload box, there is a line that says Maximum file upload size.

To resolve this error, we will be working with these 4 values:

• upload_max_filesize
  This defines the maximum upload limit for files when uploading files in WordPress.
• post_max_size
  This defines the maximum upload limit that will be handled in a POST request. It should be equal to or greater than upload_max_filesize.
• memory_limit
  This defines how much memory is allocated for PHP. This number should be equal or higher than the upload_max_filesize.
• file_uploads
  This ensures that you are allowed to upload files. By default, it is on.

The numbers provided in the below examples work well for most users, but can be changed if they are not working for you.

Solution 1 –Using the MultiPHP INI Editor on Cpanel

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Find the Software section and click on MultiPHP INI Editor.
   
   If you don’t have the MultiPHP INI Editor but do have the PHP Configuration tool, you can skip to the “If you don’t have the MultiPHP INI Editor” section.
3. In the dropdown, select the domain for which you wish to change the maximum upload size.
4. Find the following values and set them accordingly:
   
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   upload_max_filesize = 64M post_max_size = 64M memory_limit = 90 file_uploads = Enabled

5. Click Apply to save your changes.

If you don’t have the MultiPHP INI Editor, use these instructions:

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Go to the homepage in cPanel, find the Files section and click on File Manager.
   
3. Navigate to the site’s document root folder.
4. Open the php.ini file in the editor. If you don’t have a php.ini file, create a file called .user.ini and edit it.
5. Set these values in the php.ini or .user.ini file:
   
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   upload_max_filesize = 64M post_max_size = 64M memory_limit = 90 file_uploads = On

6. Click Save Changes.

Solution 2 – Using the .htaccess File

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Go to the homepage in cPanel, find the Files section and click on File Manager.
   
3. Navigate to the site’s document root folder.
4. Open the .htaccess file in the file editor. If you don’t see the .htaccess file, you may need to make hidden files visible or create the file.
5. Set the values by adding this code at the bottom of the file:
   
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   php_value upload_max_filesize = 64M
   php_value post_max_size = 64M
   php_value memory_limit = 90
   Php_value file_uploads = On

6. Click Save Changes.

Solution 3 – Using the WP-CONFIG.PHP or FUNCTIONS.PHP

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Go to the homepage in cPanel, find the Files section and click on File Manager.
   
3. Navigate to the site’s document root folder.
4. Open the wp-config.php or theme’s functions.php file in the file editor.
5. Set the following values:
   
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   @ini_set( ‘upload_max_size’ , ‘64M’ );
   @ini_set( ‘post_max_size’ , ‘64M’ );
   @ini_set( ‘memory_limit’ , ‘90M’ );
   @ini_set ( ‘file_uploads’ , ‘On’ );

6. Click Save Changes.

Solution 4 – Using the Increase Max Upload Filesize Plugin

1. Log into your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins, then click Add New.
3. Search for “Increase Max Upload Filesize“.
4. Click Install.
5. When it is finished installing, the button will change to Activate. Click it again.
6. Go to the Increase Max Upload Filesize plugin settings.
7. Enter the value you would like to add.
8. Click Save.