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 get about solving this issue. We'll embrace them all in this article and show yous how to increase the maximum upload size in WordPress rapidly.

Let's swoop in!

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What Is the Maximum Upload Size in WordPress?

Uploading big 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 also includes constants that define this limit, simply they cannot override the server-level settings in most cases.

To verify this, become to your WordPress site's Media Library. Hither, try to upload a file that crosses this maximum upload file size limit. You'll meet an fault bulletin that looks something like this:

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

The "exceeds the maximum upload size for this site" mistake can exist frustrating, but it exists for two master reasons: security and efficiency. It hinders site owners and other users, including malicious actors, from uploading huge files (e.chiliad. loftier-resolution images, large videos).

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

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How to Check the Electric current Maximum Upload Size in WordPress

There are many ways to check your WordPress site's electric current max upload size. Let'due south go through all of them.

In the Media Library

The quickest way to check your site's electric current maximum upload size is to go to your WordPress dashboard, and from in that location, go to Media > Library. Here, click on the Add together 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. message displays below the Select Files button. If you lot're using a different web hosting provider, you may see a unlike limit listed hither.

You can also go to Media > Add New straight and come across the same message displayed at the lesser.

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

Again, y'all tin can run across the 128 MB max upload file size here.

In the Site Health Info

WordPress 5.2 added the Site Health Info tool to assistance yous debug your WordPress site better. Here, you can find nigh all the information about your server and WordPress configuration.

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

First, you lot can find it listed under the Media Handling 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 Health Info' console

The second method is to expect under the Server dropdown. Yous'll find many options related to your webserver'due south setup under hither. 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 Wellness Info' panel

Yous can also see other PHP constants and their values, such equally:

  • PHP post max size: Defines the maximum upload limit for POST requests.
  • PHP memory limit: Defines the memory allocated for PHP. It should be prepare 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 bottom upload size limit than enterprise hosting plans. Some hosts may allow you to override these limits. But in near cases, you may need your hosting provider'south aid (and perhaps a plan upgrade) to increase them.

Why Increment the Maximum Upload File Size in WordPress?

There are many reasons why you may demand to increase your WordPress site'southward maximum upload file size. Here are the most common ones:

  • You lot desire to install a large theme or plugin straight through the WordPress admin dashboard.
  • Updating your WordPress site regularly is a dandy way to keep your readers engaged and return for more. And that includes uploading new images, videos, audios, and other media regularly. Nevertheless, that's not always viable when there's a file size limit for your uploads.
  • You desire to upload a large video or image equally your site'due south background or header.
  • You lot plan to sell digital files such equally 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, let's acquire how to increase it.

10 Means to Increase the Max Upload File Size in WordPress

In that location are many ways you lot tin fix the WordPress maximum upload size issue. We'll start with the easiest ones first, and so we'll move on to the intermediate-level tutorials.

Contact Your Hosting Provider for Aid

If yous're facing issues with uploading files and file size limits, reaching out to your hosting provider for assist is one of the quickest solutions. Increasing the upload limit is a trivial task for tech support, so most hosting companies can aid y'all gear up this upshot quickly.

Tinkering with your server or site configuration files can always be a challenge. Hence, nosotros always recommend you lot endeavor this method first.

If you're hosting your site with Kinsta, our knowledgeable support team is just a click away and available 24/seven. To get started, get 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 assist you in many languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese.

Increase the Max Upload File Size in WordPress Multisite

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

First, head to your Network Admin dashboard, and so go to Settings > Network Settings screen. Here, scroll down till you discover the Upload Settings section. You lot'll discover 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 (~i.5 MB). Yous can alter 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 set here is higher than the server'south max upload size limit, the server will ignore information technology. Yous tin use the methods described above to detect 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 can also limit the total size of files uploaded to an individual site in the Multisite network. However, it'due south disabled past 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 can discover your .htaccess file in the WordPress site's root directory.

Equally per PHP documentation, 3 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 in a higher place. Information technology would assist if you modified these three directives' values to admit your file sizes. For case, if the largest file you're planning to upload is 32 MB, nosotros recommend the post-obit settings:

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

Observe, all the values use M instead of MB. That's how PHP handles its directives.

Uploads tin contain extra information in addition to the file itself. So, giving all other upload-related directives some breathing space is a adept idea. You tin read our in-depth tutorial on how to meliorate PHP memory limit in WordPress for more than data.

Admission your .htaccess file via FTP/SFTP or your hosting provider's File Manager.

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

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

You can discover ii other PHP directives in the above code: 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 exist. You demand to set their values to a number that'south advisable for your employ case.

Note: You may get a 500 Internal Server Error subsequently using the method above. Most likely, information technology's because your server is running PHP in CGI style. In such cases, you lot cannot utilize the above commands in your .htaccess file.

Create or Alter the 'php.ini' File

The php.ini file is where yous ascertain changes to your default PHP settings. Typically, it contains directives that define 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 non locate it there. Fret not! You can create a new file with the same 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 code or text editor, add the following 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 y'all to alter PHP settings via this method. In such a example, yous can proceed 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 work with .user.ini files instead of php.ini files.

Similar php.ini and .htaccess files, y'all can find the .user.ini in your site's root directory. If you can't find it, and so you can create a new .user.ini file in the aforementioned 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        

Yous'll notice that information technology's a echo of the previous method, except with a dissimilar filename.

Change PHP Options via cPanel

If your hosting provider uses the cPanel dashboard to help you lot manage your server and site configuration, yous tin change the max upload file size through its interface.

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

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 bill of fare to go to the PHP Options panel.

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

Whorl downwardly here to change 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 can ready here depend on your electric current hosting plan.

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

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

Increment the Max Upload File Size in Nginx

Nginx is another webserver like Apache, but it's as well 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 you're running your WordPress site on Nginx, yous'll demand to modify both your php.ini and nginx.conf files. Nosotros've dealt with the former file before. The latter one is chosen an Nginx config file.

On an Nginx server, you tin can notice the php.ini file at /etc/php/seven.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 have to set the memory_limit in the above file as Nginx handles it differently. For more than, you tin can check out this Stack Overflow thread. Later 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 exact code may vary slightly depending on the PHP version installed on your server.

Next, utilise Nginx'south client_max_body_size directive to gear up the new max upload size limit. Y'all need to declare this directive in the nginx.conf file, which you can observe at /etc/nginx/nginx.conf .

Y'all can declare this directive inside the http {...} block, the server {...} block, or the location {...} block.

Setting information technology 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 only affect a specific site/app hosted by this server.

          server {     ...     client_max_body_size 128M; }        

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

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

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

          sudo service nginx reload        

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

Utilise 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. Even WordPress uses this filter to show you the max upload size allowed, like in the Media Library and Site Health Info screens.

Beneath is an instance of this filter in action from WordPress contributor 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). * @return int (maybe) Filtered size limit. */ function filter_site_upload_size_limit( $size ) { // Set the upload size limit to 10 MB for users defective the 'manage_options' capability. if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) { // x MB. $size = 1024 * 10000; } return $size; } add_filter( 'upload_size_limit', 'filter_site_upload_size_limit', 20 );        

The above code uses WordPress' manage_options capability to fix this limit but for non-admins. You lot tin can modify the code to target specific user roles or user ids. Read our in-depth WordPress roles and capabilities article for more than data.

Apply a WordPress Plugin

Messing with code using SSH or FTP/SFTP is non for everyone. If you lot're not comfortable with writing or editing code, y'all can apply 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 but up-to-date plugin on the WordPress plugin repository that helps you lot go this done.

To get started, install and activate the WP Maximum Upload File Size plugin. Next, become to its settings screen in your WordPress dashboard. Here, yous tin see the maximum upload file size set 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 lesser than that fix by your hosting provider. Hence, yous tin can creepo it up by choosing the Maximum Upload File Size with the dropdown presented.

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

Upload Files via FTP/SFTP

Are you lot still struggling with all the above methods? Or with your hosting provider to take them raise the upload file size limit? Yous tin always upload large files via FTP/SFTP.

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

If you have a lot of large files to upload, this is the fastest method. You can read our in-depth tutorial on how to majority 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 can use the gratuitous Add together From Server plugin to import the uploaded files into WordPress.

Alternatively, you tin exercise the same direct from the control line by importing images using WP-CLI. The wp media import command allows you lot 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. Nosotros're adding information technology here because we've found many spider web tutorials that list it as a legitimate way to increase the max upload size in WordPress.

It involves going to your site'southward root directory via FTP/SFTP or SSH 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 lawmaking 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 just use the ini_set() function to set PHP directives that vest to the PHP_INI_ALL changeable mode.

Every bit upload_max_size and post_max_size belong to the PHP_INI_PERDIR child-bearing mode. You lot tin 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'southward New Max Upload File Size

Finally, it's time to verify whether the new max upload file size limit is implemented in your WordPress site. To do this, follow the same process 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 inverse.

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

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

You can also become 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 Health Info > Server'

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Summary

Every bit you've seen, increasing the maximum upload file size in WordPress isn't too complex. Whether you're building a media-heavy portfolio site or installing a big theme, it's simply a matter of knowing where to expect for and what commands or tools to use.

In well-nigh cases, reaching out to your hosting provider should be plenty. However, if you're stuck with a troublesome host, nosotros've shown yous some alternative methods you lot can effort earlier migrating to amend hosting.

Get uploading!

Did we embrace it all? If you've experienced a stubborn example of upload file size limits, let united states of america know how you managed to set it.


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