A low WordPress upload size limit stops you from uploading large files, plugins, and themes. If you're building a media-heavy website, that tin be a considerable obstacle. Information technology'south 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 comprehend them all in this article and prove you how to increase the maximum upload size in WordPress chop-chop.

Let's dive in!

Prefer to watch the video version?

What Is the Maximum Upload Size in WordPress?

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

WordPress also includes constants that ascertain this limit, merely they cannot override the server-level settings in nigh 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. Y'all'll see an mistake message that looks something like this:

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

The "exceeds the maximum upload size for this site" error can exist frustrating, only information technology exists for ii main reasons: security and efficiency. It hinders site owners and other users, including malicious actors, from uploading huge files (east.g. high-resolution images, large videos).

Otherwise, it can effect in incapacitating your website'southward server, making your site come up to a crawl. Or worse, information technology tin bring your site downward birthday!

Want to upload a big file, plugin, or theme... but limited past the max upload size?🗂 Learn how to resolve this common consequence quickly & hands right hither ⬇️ Click to Tweet

How to Check the Current Maximum Upload Size in WordPress

There are many means to check your WordPress site's current max upload size. Let'south get through all of them.

In the Media Library

The quickest way to cheque your site's electric current maximum upload size is to get to your WordPress dashboard, and from there, go to Media > Library. Here, click on the Add New 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're using a unlike web hosting provider, you may run across a different limit listed here.

You can also go 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 can run into the 128 MB max upload file size here.

In the Site Health Info

WordPress 5.2 added the Site Health Info tool to help yous debug your WordPress site ameliorate. Hither, you lot can find almost all the information about your server and WordPress configuration.

As both the server and WordPress handle the max upload file size, in that location are two ways to find its value on this screen.

Commencement, you can notice 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 Wellness Info' panel

The second method is to wait nether the Server dropdown. Yous'll find many options related to your webserver's setup under here. Please search for the value for Upload max filesize abiding to come across what information technology 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

You lot can too come across other PHP constants and their values, such as:

  • PHP postal service max size: Defines the maximum upload limit for POST requests.
  • PHP retentiveness limit: Defines the retention allocated for PHP. It should be set equal to or higher than the Upload max filesize limit. Or else the upload will fail.

Your spider web host sets these options. Usually, starter hosting plans volition accept a lesser upload size limit than enterprise hosting plans. Some hosts may permit you to override these limits. But in most cases, yous may need your hosting provider'due south help (and perhaps a programme 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 continue your readers engaged and return for more. And that includes uploading new images, videos, audios, and other media regularly. Nevertheless, that'southward not always viable when there's a file size limit for your uploads.
  • You want to upload a big video or image as your site's background or header.
  • You plan to sell digital files such as ebooks, photographs, videos, themes, and plugins straight from your site. Sometimes, these files can stitch to hundreds of megabytes (or more than).

Now that we've covered the basics of max upload file size in WordPress, let's acquire how to increase it.

10 Ways to Increase the Max Upload File Size in WordPress

There are many ways yous can fix the WordPress maximum upload size result. We'll start with the easiest ones first, and and so we'll motility on to the intermediate-level tutorials.

Contact Your Hosting Provider for Aid

If you're facing problems with uploading files and file size limits, reaching out to your hosting provider for assistance is 1 of the quickest solutions. Increasing the upload limit is a petty task for tech support, and so almost hosting companies can help you fix this outcome quickly.

Tinkering with your server or site configuration files tin ever exist a challenge. Hence, nosotros always recommend you endeavor this method kickoff.

If y'all're hosting your site with Kinsta, our knowledgeable support team is just a click away and available 24/7. To get started, get to your MyKinsta dashboard and click the chat icon in the bottom correct corner.

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

We have representatives to assist you in many languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese.

Increment the Max Upload File Size in WordPress Multisite

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

Outset, head to your Network Admin dashboard, and then go to Settings > Network Settings screen. Here, ringlet downwards till yous find 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.v MB). You tin can change this to a higher value and click the Relieve Changes button.

Annotation: You cannot circumvent the server-level max upload size limit from here. If the limit you gear up here is higher than the server's max upload size limit, the server volition ignore it. You lot can use the methods described higher up to observe your webserver'southward configuration.

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

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

You lot tin can also limit the full size of files uploaded to an individual site in the Multisite network. However, information technology'southward disabled by default.

Update Your '.htaccess' File

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

As 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 section above. It would help if you modified these 3 directives' values to acknowledge 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

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

Uploads can comprise extra information in addition to the file itself. And so, giving all other upload-related directives some breathing space is a good idea. You can read our in-depth tutorial on how to improve PHP memory limit in WordPress for more data.

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

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

Open 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 tin can discover two other PHP directives in the above code: 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 time spent volition exist. You need to set their values to a number that'southward advisable for your use case.

Note: You may get a 500 Internal Server Error after using the method above. Most likely, it'due south because your server is running PHP in CGI style. In such cases, y'all cannot employ the above commands in your .htaccess file.

Create or Alter the 'php.ini' File

The php.ini file is where you define 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 tin can detect the php.ini file in your WordPress root directory. In some cases, you may not locate it in that location. Fret not! You lot tin can create a new file with the same name in your site'due 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 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 save your file later making the changes. Some hosts don't let you to modify PHP settings via this method. In such a case, you can go on to endeavor the following solution instead.

Subscribe At present

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, you can find the .user.ini in your site'southward root directory. If you can't find it, then yous tin create a new .user.ini file in the aforementioned location. Follow the same procedure described in the previous method to create a newphp.ini file.

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

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

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

Change PHP Options via cPanel

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

To get started, get 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 tin modify 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
Become to the 'PHP Options' settings in cPanel

Ringlet down here to modify the values of PHP directives such every bit upload_max_filesize , post_max_size , memory_limit , max_execution_time , and max_input_time . The max values you can set hither depend on your current hosting plan.

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

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

Increment the Max Upload File Size in Nginx

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

If yous're running your WordPress site on Nginx, y'all'll demand to modify both your php.ini and nginx.conf files. Nosotros've dealt with the onetime file before. The latter one is called an Nginx config file.

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

          upload_max_filesize = 64M post_max_size = 128M        

You don't accept to set up the memory_limit in the above file equally Nginx handles information technology differently. For more, you tin can bank check out this Stack Overflow thread. After saving your php.ini file, enable the changes by restarting PHP-FPM using the beneath 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'due south client_max_body_size directive to set the new max upload size limit. You 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 only affect a specific site/app hosted by this server.

          server {     ...     client_max_body_size 128M; }        

The location cake but affects the specified directory (east.yard. files, uploads) inside 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 exercise that, you can use the following command in your last:

          sudo service nginx reload        

If you lot're a Kinsta customer, you can't access your Nginx config directly. However, y'all tin reach out to our support team, and they can quickly brand the changes for you.

Utilize the WordPress 'upload_size_limit' Filter

WordPress 2.v 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 Health Info screens.

Beneath is an case of this filter in activity from WordPress contributor Drew Jaynes. Information technology defines the upload size limit for all not-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 ) { // Fix the upload size limit to x MB for users lacking the 'manage_options' capability. if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) { // 10 MB. $size = 1024 * 10000; } render $size; } add_filter( 'upload_size_limit', 'filter_site_upload_size_limit', 20 );        

The to a higher place code uses WordPress' manage_options adequacy to set this limit simply for not-admins. Yous tin can modify the lawmaking to target specific user roles or user ids. Read our in-depth WordPress roles and capabilities article for more than data.

Utilize 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 lawmaking, you can use 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. Equally of writing this, it'due south the only upwardly-to-date plugin on the WordPress plugin repository that helps y'all get this washed.

To get started, install and activate the WP Maximum Upload File Size plugin. Side by side, get to its settings screen in your WordPress dashboard. Hither, you can see the maximum upload file size fix 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 set past your hosting provider. Hence, y'all can crank it up past choosing the Maximum Upload File Size with the dropdown presented.

Annotation: If yous want to set a max upload file size limit that's larger than the one prepare past your hosting provider, information technology's non possible to do it via this plugin. For that, you need to contact your hosting provider.

Upload Files via FTP/SFTP

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

FileZilla window with a site connected
Elevate and driblet files to and for your server and calculator with SFTP

If y'all accept a lot of large files to upload, this is the fastest method. You tin 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'due south the case, you can employ the complimentary Add together From Server plugin to import the uploaded files into WordPress.

Alternatively, you tin can practice the same straight from the command line by importing images using WP-CLI. The wp media import control 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. We're adding it here because we've plant many web tutorials that list information technology every bit a legitimate fashion to increase the max upload size in WordPress.

It involves going to your site'due south 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 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 y'all can only use the ini_set() function to prepare 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. Y'all can just prepare them via php.ini, .htaccess, http.conf, or .user.ini.

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

Verify Your WordPress Site'south New Max Upload File Size

Finally, it'south time to verify whether the new max upload file size limit is implemented in your WordPress site. To practice this, follow the same procedure we discussed to a higher place to check the max upload file size in WordPress.

Get to your Media Library in the WordPress dashboard and bank 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'

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

You tin as well go to the Site Health Info panel and bank check for the aforementioned nether 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 Wellness 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 y'all dorsum! 🙅‍♂️ This guide will show you how you tin easily increase the limit to arrange your larger files 👇 Click to Tweet

Summary

As you've seen, increasing the maximum upload file size in WordPress isn't too circuitous. Whether you're building a media-heavy portfolio site or installing a large theme, information technology's just a thing of knowing where to look for and what commands or tools to use.

In most cases, reaching out to your hosting provider should be enough. Nevertheless, if y'all're stuck with a troublesome host, we've shown you lot some alternative methods you can endeavour earlier migrating to meliorate hosting.

Get uploading!

Did we encompass it all? If yous've experienced a stubborn instance of upload file size limits, permit u.s. know how you managed to fix information technology.


Salve time, costs and maximize site performance with:

  • Instant assistance from WordPress hosting experts, 24/7.
  • Cloudflare Enterprise integration.
  • Global audience attain with 29 information centers worldwide.
  • Optimization with our built-in Application Performance Monitoring.

All of that and much more, in one plan with no long-term contracts, assisted migrations, and a 30-twenty-four hours-coin-back-guarantee. Check out our plans or talk to sales to find the plan that's right for you.