How to Increase Maximum File Upload Size in WordPress

When managing a WordPress site, there are times that you might need to upload large files, like videos, high-resolution images, or plugins. But WordPress sets a default file upload size limit that may not meet your needs.

This guide will walk you through the process of increasing the maximum file upload size in WordPress efficiently and effectively.

Why the upload size limit matters

WordPress sets a default file upload limit to help with server stability and protect against resource overuse. However, this limit can restrict your ability to upload content like large media files, themes, and backups. Understanding this limitation helps you tailor your WordPress site to fit your specific needs.

How to check the file upload limit in WordPress

Before making changes, it’s important to determine the current upload limit on your site.

How to check your upload limit:

First, log in to your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to Media → Add new media file. The maximum upload size is displayed at the bottom of the page.

Another option is to use the WordPress Site Health panel. In your dashboard, go to Tools → Site Health. At the top, select Info. 

Open the Media Handling section and find “Max size of an uploaded file.”

Methods to increase the file upload size

There are several methods to increase the upload size limit in WordPress. Each method is tailored for specific technical expertise levels and hosting environments.

1. Edit the .htaccess file

The .htaccess file controls the configuration settings for your server. Take care when editing this file, and always back up your site first. 

Steps to edit .htaccess:

1. Access your WordPress root directory (often named public_html) via FTP or your hosting control panel’s File Manager.
2. Locate the .htaccess file. If you don’t see it immediately, click the Show Hidden Files option in your file manager.
3. Add the following code, adjusting the file sizes as needed:

php_value upload_max_filesize 128M

php_value post_max_size 128M

php_value memory_limit 256M

php_value max_execution_time 300

php_value max_input_time 300

4. Save the file and refresh your WordPress site.

2. Update the php.ini file

The php.ini file defines PHP configurations, including upload limits. Take care when editing this file, and always back up your site first. 

Steps to update php.ini:

1. Access your hosting control panel or server via FTP.
2. Find or create a php.ini file in the root directory.
3. Add or modify the following lines, adjusting the limits as needed:

upload_max_filesize = 128M

post_max_size = 128M

memory_limit = 256M

max_execution_time = 300

max_input_time = 300

4. Save the changes. Restart your server if necessary.

Note:

Some shared hosting plans restrict direct access to php.ini. If you cannot find the file, you may need to ask your host’s support team to edit it for you.

3. Edit the wp-config.php file

The wp-config.php file contains essential WordPress settings. Take care when editing this file, and always back up your site first. 

Steps to update wp-config.php:

1. Open the wp-config.php file in your root directory, using either FTP or your hosting’s control panel.
2. Add the following lines, adjusting the limits as needed:

@ini_set('upload_max_filesize', '128M');

@ini_set('post_max_size', '128M');

@ini_set('memory_limit', '256M');

@ini_set('max_execution_time', '300');

@ini_set('max_input_time', '300');

3. Save the file and refresh your WordPress site.

4. Adjust settings in your hosting control panel

Many hosting providers allow you to adjust PHP settings directly through their dashboard. This is an excellent option, as you don’t have to work with any code at all. We’ll include instructions for cPanel here, but if your host uses a different platform, check their documentation. 

1. Log in to your cPanel through your hosting dashboard.
2. Navigate to Select PHP Version or MultiPHP INI Editor.
3. Modify the following values:
   • upload_max_filesize
   • post_max_size
   • memory_limit
   • max_execution_time
4. Save your changes.

5. Use a WordPress plugin

Plugins are another excellent way to modify your maximum file upload size without having to work with code. While there are several you can choose from, these instructions are for the MaxUploader plugin. Keep in mind that this method depends on your hosting environment, and may not work for every situation.

1. Install and activate the plugin.
2. Navigate to Media → Increase Upload Limit.
3. Choose your desired upload size limit and save.

6. Contact your hosting provider

If none of the above methods work, your hosting provider should be able to help. Simply open a support ticket or use your host’s live chat feature. Then, request an increase in upload_max_filesize and post_max_size limits. If you’d like, you can specify a target value.

Testing the new upload size limit

After making changes, verify that the new upload size limit is active.

1. Return to Media → Add New in the WordPress dashboard.
2. See if the displayed upload limit has increased.
3. Test by uploading a file larger than the previous limit.

Troubleshooting common issues

If your changes don’t take effect, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Clear caches. Clear your WordPress cache, browser cache, and any server-level caches.
• Check your PHP version. Ensure that your site is using a PHP version that supports your desired configuration.
• Look for syntax errors. Double-check any files that you edited manually for mistakes.
• Check your hosting restrictions. Some shared hosting plans impose limits that you can’t override without upgrading your plan.

Tips for managing large files efficiently

• Compress your image files. Use tools like ImageOptim to optimize images before uploading them. WordPress plugins like Jetpack Boost can also optimize images after they’re added to your site.
• Leverage a CDN. A content delivery network (CDN) can better handle the distribution of large files, improving the performance of your site.
• Enable GZIP compression. This can reduce file sizes for faster delivery.
• Improve your video performance. Tools like Jetpack VideoPress take the weight of heavy video files off your server and can make a big difference in performance. 

Enhance your WordPress experience with Jetpack

Jetpack offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline your WordPress site. By integrating Jetpack, you can enhance security, performance, growth, and more.

Key features of Jetpack:

• Security: Protect your site with real-time backups, malware scanning, spam protection, and more.
• Performance: Improve site speed with a global content delivery network (CDN), optimize images for faster load times, and improve your Core Web Vitals.
• Growth: Utilize advanced analytics, automated social media sharing, and AI-powered content creation to expand your audience.

By leveraging Jetpack, you can efficiently manage your WordPress site, allowing you to focus more on growing your business and less on all the technical details.

Learn more about Jetpack.