wordpress memory limit increase

Increasing the memory limit in WordPress is often necessary to accommodate resource-intensive plugins, themes, or complex operations on your website.

The default memory limit in WordPress is typically set to a low value, typically 40MB, which can cause issues if your site requires more memory to function smoothly.

i once had issues with slow site loading and server errors trying to delete some plugins from my site. also with more plugins you install the more bloated your site becomes.

WordPress memory limit increase
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com

in my case I had my site hosted using Amazon-Ezoic shared hosting service. I got to discover that I was having a low memory limit when I wanted to install the Indeed theme on my site and the theme returned an error message showing 40MB is too low to run the theme unless I increase the WordPress memory limit

At this point i was stuck because the backend PHP server of my host does not have clear functions like the Cpanel model of most site hosting services where I can access the wp-config-php file in order to increase the memory limit

maybe this is also your case or you just want a fast loading page the please patiently go through this guide and find a solution for your site. it may be that the last solution I am going to discuss in this post will be your best option to increase your WordPress site memory limit so read through

read some of my most exciting posts and pages here

To increase the WordPress memory limit, follow this comprehensive guide:

so how do you increase the memory limit of a WordPress site

Step 1: Check the Current Memory Limit

  1. Log in to your WordPress website’s admin dashboard.
  2. In the left-hand menu, go to “Tools” and then click on “Site Health.”

Step 2: Identify the Current Memory Limit

  1. In the Site Health screen, click on the “Info” tab.
  2. Look for the “PHP memory limit” value. It will display the current memory limit allocated to your WordPress website.
  3. If you cannot see it then install any memory and Server IP plugin, activate it and it will reveal your WordPress memory limit

Step 3: Back Up Your Site

Before making any changes to your WordPress site, it’s crucial to back up all your files and databases to ensure you can revert to a previous state if something goes wrong.

Step 4: Choose the Method to Increase Memory Limit

There are multiple ways to increase the WordPress memory limit. We’ll cover three commonly used methods:

the following process will enable you to increase your website WordPress memory limit

Method 1: Editing the wp-config.php File

  1. Access your website’s files via FTP or a file manager provided by your hosting provider. Or you can install a plugin called Filester which I strongly recommend
  2. Locate the “wp-config.php” file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
  3. Download a backup copy of the file to your local computer.
  4. Open the “wp-config.php” file using a text editor (e.g., Notepad++ or Sublime Text). if you used Filester then you don’t need any notepad as it it has an editor. just click the wp-config-PHP file and the editor will pop
  5. Add the following line of code just before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.”sql
  1. define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); Replace '256M' with the desired memory limit. Make sure the value is higher than your current memory limit. A recommended value is 256M or higher for most websites.
  2. Save the changes to the “wp-config.php” file.
  3. Upload the modified “wp-config.php” file back to your server, replacing the existing one.

Method 2: Editing the .htaccess File

  1. Using FTP or a file manager, navigate to your website’s root directory.
  2. Look for the “.htaccess” file and download a backup copy to your local computer.
  3. Open the “.htaccess” file using a text editor.
  4. Add the following line of code at the bottom of the file:
  1. php_value memory_limit 256M Again, adjust the value to your desired memory limit.
  2. Save the changes to the “.htaccess” file.
  3. Upload the modified “.htaccess” file back to your server.

Method 3: Editing the php.ini File

  1. Access your website’s root directory using FTP or a file manager. In this case, just install a Plugin called Filester. After installation open its file explorer
  2. Look for the “php.ini” file, and if it doesn’t exist, create a new one in the root directory.
  3. Open the “php.ini” file with a text editor.
  4. Add the following line to increase the memory limit: makefile
  1. memory_limit = 256M Adjust the value as needed.
  2. Save the changes to the “php.ini” file.

Step 5: Verify the Increased Memory Limit

  1. Go back to the WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Navigate to “Tools” and click on “Site Health.”
  3. In the Site Health screen, click on the “Info” tab again.
  4. Verify that the “PHP memory limit” value now reflects the new limit you set.

Congratulations! You have successfully increased the WordPress memory limit to accommodate the needs of your website. If you encounter any issues, double-check your changes and ensure that you followed the steps correctly.

If the problem persists, revert to the backup you created earlier and seek further assistance from your hosting provider or WordPress support community.

if ever you want extra help with your website , you contact fabioclass.com admin

deep understanding of WordPress memory limit

The term “site memory” is not a standard concept or well-known term in computer science or technology as of my last update in September 2021. However, based on the context, it is possible to speculate about its meaning.

  1. Website Memory: It could be interpreted as the memory or storage space required to store data and information related to a website. This could include the website’s code, assets (images, videos, etc.), databases, and any user-generated content. In this context, “site memory” would be a broad term that encompasses all the digital resources associated with a website.
  2. Caching and Local Storage: Another interpretation could be related to web browser caching and local storage. When you visit a website, your browser may store certain elements of the site locally on your device. This helps improve page load times and user experience on subsequent visits. These stored elements can be considered as “site memory” in the sense that they make it quicker to access and display parts of the website without needing to fetch them from the server again.
  3. Server-Side Memory: It might refer to the memory (RAM) used by the server to process requests and serve content for a specific website or web application. When users interact with a website, the server needs to handle their requests, process data, and generate responses. All of this requires memory to store temporary data and perform computations. “Site memory” in this context could be synonymous with server-side memory usage.
  4. User Perception: Sometimes, the term “site memory” might be used metaphorically to refer to the impression or lasting impact a website leaves on a user. It could imply that the website is memorable or has a lasting effect on the user’s mind.

Please note that without additional context, it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact meaning of “site memory.” If you encountered this term in a specific context or field, it would be helpful to have more information to provide a more accurate explanation.

Here are 10 detailed FAQs and answers on WordPress Memory Limit Increase, written in a WordPress-friendly, SEO-optimized format for your blog fabioclass.com.

10 Frequently Asked Questions on WordPress Memory Limit Increase

1. What is the WordPress memory limit?

The WordPress memory limit is the maximum amount of memory (RAM) that your WordPress site can use while running scripts or processes. By default, most web hosts set it to 32MB or 64MB, but as your website grows—especially with plugins, themes, and media files—you may need more memory to avoid errors and improve performance.

2. Why should I increase the WordPress memory limit?

You should increase your WordPress memory limit when your site starts showing errors like “Allowed memory size exhausted”, experiences slow performance, or fails to load certain pages or plugins. Increasing memory helps your site handle more processes simultaneously, ensuring smoother performance and stability.

3. How can I check my current WordPress memory limit?

You can check your current memory limit by:

  • Going to your WordPress Dashboard → Tools → Site Health → Info → Server section.
  • Alternatively, add this line to a PHP file and view it in your browser: <?php phpinfo(); ?>

This will show all PHP settings, including the current memory_limit.

4. How do I increase the WordPress memory limit using wp-config.php?

To increase your memory limit through the wp-config.php file, follow these steps:

  1. Access your WordPress root directory via cPanel or FTP.
  2. Open the wp-config.php file.
  3. Add the following line above the “That’s all, stop editing!” comment: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
  4. Save the file and refresh your website.

This raises the memory limit to 256MB, which is sufficient for most sites.

5. Can I increase the memory limit from the php.ini file?

Yes. If your hosting environment allows, you can edit the php.ini file to increase memory.

  • Locate or create a php.ini file in your site’s root directory.
  • Add or modify this line: memory_limit = 256M
  • Save and restart your web server (if necessary).

This method affects all PHP scripts, not just WordPress.

6. What if I can’t access wp-config.php or php.ini?

If you can’t access these files, you can try increasing the memory limit via the .htaccess file:

  1. Open the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory.
  2. Add this line at the top: php_value memory_limit 256M
  3. Save and refresh your website.

If this doesn’t work, contact your web host for assistance—they may need to change it from the server side.

7. How do I know if my memory limit increase worked?

After making changes, check again in your Site Health Info or by creating a small PHP info file. You can also verify indirectly—if the memory-related errors disappear and your site runs smoothly, the update worked successfully.

8. What are common causes of high memory usage in WordPress?

Common reasons for high memory usage include:

  • Heavy or poorly coded plugins
  • Large image or media files
  • Complex themes or page builders
  • WooCommerce stores with many products
  • Bots or excessive traffic
  • Database bloat or outdated PHP versions

Regularly optimizing your site and removing unnecessary plugins can significantly reduce memory usage.

9. What is the maximum WordPress memory limit I can set?

The maximum memory limit depends on your web host’s configuration. Shared hosting plans usually restrict it to around 128MB–256MB, while VPS or dedicated servers can go up to 512MB–1GB or more. Always check with your host before setting a very high limit, as exceeding server allowances may cause errors.

10. Does increasing WordPress memory limit affect website speed?

Indirectly, yes. Increasing your memory limit won’t make your site instantly faster, but it prevents memory-related errors that slow it down. It allows PHP processes to run more efficiently, reducing the chances of timeouts or crashes. For the best results, combine a higher memory limit with caching, image optimization, and database cleanup.

Final Thoughts

Increasing your WordPress memory limit is a simple yet powerful way to improve your site’s performance and reliability. Whether you edit the wp-config.php, php.ini, or .htaccess file, always back up your website first. For most WordPress sites, 256MB is a safe and effective setting.

Scroll to Top