A low WordPress upload size limit stops you from uploading large files, plugins, and themes. If you're building a media-heavy website, that can exist a considerable obstacle. It's necessary to increase 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 issue. We'll cover them all in this article and prove you how to increase the maximum upload size in WordPress quickly.

Let'south 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's resources. To foreclose 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 also includes constants that define this limit, just they cannot override the server-level settings in most 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. You'll see an fault 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, but information technology exists for two main reasons: security and efficiency. It hinders site owners and other users, including malicious actors, from uploading huge files (due east.g. high-resolution images, big videos).

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

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How to Check the Electric current Maximum Upload Size in WordPress

In that location are many ways to check your WordPress site's current max upload size. Let's go through all of them.

In the Media Library

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

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

Equally Kinsta hosts this site, the Maximum upload file size: 128 MB. message displays below the Select Files push. If you lot're using a dissimilar web hosting provider, you may see a different limit listed hither.

You tin can as well become to Media > Add New directly and see the same message displayed at the bottom.

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

Again, you tin see the 128 MB max upload file size hither.

In the Site Health Info

WordPress v.2 added the Site Health Info tool to assist you debug your WordPress site better. Hither, you can notice almost all the data near your server and WordPress configuration.

As both the server and WordPress handle the max upload file size, there are two means to observe its value on this screen.

First, y'all tin can find it listed nether the Media Treatment dropdown. Here, look for the value of Max size of an uploaded file abiding.

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

The second method is to expect under the Server dropdown. You'll discover many options related to your webserver'southward setup under here. Please search for the value for Upload max filesize abiding to run across 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 Health Info' console

You tin too come across 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 be set 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 almost cases, you may demand your hosting provider's assist (and perhaps a plan upgrade) to increase them.

Why Increase the Maximum Upload File Size in WordPress?

There are many reasons why you lot may need to increase your WordPress site's maximum upload file size. Here are the near common ones:

  • You want to install a large theme or plugin directly through the WordPress admin dashboard.
  • Updating your WordPress site regularly is a great way to keep your readers engaged and return for more. And that includes uploading new images, videos, audios, and other media regularly. Even so, that's non always feasible when there'due south a file size limit for your uploads.
  • You want to upload a large video or image as your site'south groundwork or header.
  • You plan to sell digital files such as ebooks, photographs, videos, themes, and plugins directly from your site. Sometimes, these files can run up to hundreds of megabytes (or more).

Now that we've covered the basics of max upload file size in WordPress, permit'south learn how to increase information technology.

ten Ways to Increment the Max Upload File Size in WordPress

There are many ways y'all tin set up the WordPress maximum upload size issue. We'll start with the easiest ones first, and and then nosotros'll movement on to the intermediate-level tutorials.

Contact Your Hosting Provider for Assistance

If you're facing issues with uploading files and file size limits, reaching out to your hosting provider for assistance is i of the quickest solutions. Increasing the upload limit is a trivial task for tech support, so most hosting companies can aid yous fix this issue quickly.

Tinkering with your server or site configuration files can always be a challenge. Hence, nosotros always recommend you attempt this method get-go.

If you lot're hosting your site with Kinsta, our knowledgeable back up team is but a click away and available 24/vii. To go 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 easily through MyKinsta

We accept representatives to help you lot in many languages, including English language, Castilian, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese.

Increment the Max Upload File Size in WordPress Multisite

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

First, head to your Network Admin dashboard, and then go to Settings > Network Settings screen. Here, scroll down till you discover the Upload Settings section. You'll find the Max upload file size field in this surface 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 (~one.5 MB). You can modify this to a higher value and click the Save Changes button.

Note: You cannot circumvent the server-level max upload size limit from here. If the limit you prepare here is higher than the server's max upload size limit, the server volition ignore it. Yous can use the methods described above to find your webserver'due south 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).

Y'all can also limit the total size of files uploaded to an private site in the Multisite network. Withal, it's disabled by default.

Update Your '.htaccess' File

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

Equally per PHP documentation, iii 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 department to a higher place. It would assist if yous modified these three directives' values to admit your file sizes. For example, if the largest file you're planning to upload is 32 MB, we recommend the following settings:

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

Discover, all the values employ M instead of MB. That'southward how PHP handles its directives.

Uploads can contain extra information in add-on to the file itself. And so, giving all other upload-related directives some breathing space is a adept thought. You lot can read our in-depth tutorial on how to improve PHP memory limit in WordPress for more information.

Access your .htaccess file via FTP/SFTP or your hosting provider'southward File Manager.

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

Open the.htaccess file with a text editor or code editor, and then add the post-obit code:

          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        

Y'all can discover two other PHP directives in the above lawmaking: max_execution_time and max_input_time . They define how long a server spends on a single PHP chore. The bigger your uploads, the bigger the time spent will be. You need to prepare their values to a number that'due south appropriate for your employ case.

Note: You may go a 500 Internal Server Error later on using the method above. Most probable, it'south considering your server is running PHP in CGI mode. In such cases, you cannot utilise the above commands in your .htaccess file.

Create or Alter the 'php.ini' File

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

Using SSH or FTP, you can find the php.ini file in your WordPress root directory. In some cases, you may not locate information technology at that place. Fret non! You can create a new file with the same proper name in your site's root directory.

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

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

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

Don't forget to salve your file after making the changes. Some hosts don't let you to alter PHP settings via this method. In such a case, you tin can continue to try the post-obit solution instead.

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Create or Modify the '.user.ini' File

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

Like php.ini and .htaccess files, you tin can find the .user.ini in your site's root directory. If you can't find information technology, and then yous tin 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.

Side by side, add the post-obit code to your .user.ini file:

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

You'll notice that it'due south a repeat of the previous method, except with a dissimilar filename.

Alter PHP Options via cPanel

If your hosting provider uses the cPanel dashboard to help y'all manage your server and site configuration, y'all can alter the max upload file size through its interface.

To go 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 tin change your server'due south current PHP version and enable/disable many PHP extensions. Click on the Options link in the navigation menu to become to the PHP Options console.

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

Scroll downward hither 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 yous can set hither depend on your current hosting program.

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

If you take whatsoever doubts about these values, we propose you contact your hosting provider. The latest cPanel dashboard saves changes automatically, so you don't have to click annihilation. But if you're using an older cPanel version, brand certain to click the Save Changes button.

Increase the Max Upload File Size in Nginx

Nginx is another webserver similar Apache, but information technology's too a lot more. Typically, Nginx can handle more concurrent requests than Apache, making it a lot faster. Kinsta uses Nginx to power its performance-optimized hosting solutions for WordPress.

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

On an Nginx server, yous can find the php.ini file at /etc/php/seven.iv/fpm/php.ini . Depending on which PHP version you've installed, the verbal path may vary slightly.

          upload_max_filesize = 64M post_max_size = 128M        

You don't take to gear up the memory_limit in the above file as Nginx handles it differently. For more, you tin check out this Stack Overflow thread. After saving your php.ini file, enable the changes by restarting PHP-FPM using the below lawmaking 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.

Next, use Nginx's client_max_body_size directive to set the new max upload size limit. Yous demand to declare this directive in the nginx.conf file, which you can find at /etc/nginx/nginx.conf .

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

Setting it in the http block will affect all the sites/apps hosted on this server.

          http {     ...     client_max_body_size 128M; }        

Defining it in the server block will but affect a specific site/app hosted by this server.

          server {     ...     client_max_body_size 128M; }        

The location cake only affects the specified directory (east.k. files, uploads) within a site/app.

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

Don't forget to salvage the file and restart Nginx to use the changes. To do that, y'all tin can employ the following command in your terminal:

          sudo service nginx reload        

If you're a Kinsta client, you tin't access your Nginx config direct. However, yous tin reach out to our support team, and they can quickly make the changes for you.

Employ the WordPress 'upload_size_limit' Filter

WordPress two.5 introduced the upload_size_limit filter, which filters the maximum upload size allowed in php.ini. Even WordPress uses this filter to evidence y'all the max upload size immune, like in the Media Library and Site Health Info screens.

Below is an example of this filter in action from WordPress contributor Drew Jaynes. It 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). * @return int (possibly) Filtered size limit. */ function filter_site_upload_size_limit( $size ) { // Gear up the upload size limit to 10 MB for users defective the 'manage_options' adequacy. if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) { // x MB. $size = 1024 * 10000; } render $size; } add_filter( 'upload_size_limit', 'filter_site_upload_size_limit', 20 );        

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

Utilise a WordPress Plugin

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

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

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

To get started, install and activate the WP Maximum Upload File Size plugin. Next, go to its settings screen in your WordPress dashboard. Hither, you can run into the maximum upload file size prepare by both your hosting provider and WordPress.

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

Hither, you can see that the maximum upload file size set by WordPress is lesser than that fix by your hosting provider. Hence, you lot can creepo it up by choosing the Maximum Upload File Size with the dropdown presented.

Notation: If you want to fix a max upload file size limit that's larger than the one set by your hosting provider, it'due south not possible to practise it via this plugin. For that, you need to contact your hosting provider.

Upload Files via FTP/SFTP

Are you notwithstanding struggling with all the above methods? Or with your hosting provider to accept them heighten the upload file size limit? You lot can always upload large files via FTP/SFTP.

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

If yous 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 information.

Sometimes, WordPress doesn't recognize files uploaded via FTP/SFTP. If that's the case, you tin use the free Add From Server plugin to import the uploaded files into WordPress.

Alternatively, you can practise the same straight from the command line past 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 because we've found many spider web tutorials that list information technology as a legitimate way to increase the max upload size in WordPress.

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

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

You're suggested to add the following 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 piece of work because you can only use the ini_set() function to ready 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 manner. You can only set them via php.ini, .htaccess, http.conf, or .user.ini.

If yous've tried this method before without seeing whatsoever results, now you lot know why it fails.

Verify Your WordPress Site's 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 aforementioned procedure we discussed above to check the max upload file size in WordPress.

Get 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'

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

Yous can as well get to the Site Health Info panel and check for the aforementioned under Media Handling 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 Wellness Info > Server'

Don't allow the maximum upload size in WordPress hold you back! 🙅‍♂️ This guide volition show you how y'all can easily increase the limit to adjust your larger files 👇 Click to Tweet

Summary

As y'all've seen, increasing the maximum upload file size in WordPress isn't likewise circuitous. Whether yous're building a media-heavy portfolio site or installing a large theme, it's just a matter of knowing where to look for and what commands or tools to utilize.

In almost cases, reaching out to your hosting provider should be enough. However, if you're stuck with a troublesome host, we've shown you some alternative methods you can effort before migrating to better hosting.

Become uploading!

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


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