How to Increase the Maximum File Upload Size in WordPress

Do you want to upload large high-resolution images, videos, PDFs, ZIP files but get frustrating error messages?

Increasing the max upload file size limit can quickly fix this common issue faced by WordPress site owners.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through 5 effective methods to increase max upload size in WordPress.

Why You Need to Increase the Upload Limit

The default file size limit set by most shared hosts is 2MB to 8MB. This is often insufficient for many use cases:

• Uploading 10-15MB high-resolution images for photography sites.
• Importing large WordPress backups over 15MB.
• PDFs or ebooks over 10MB cannot be uploaded.
• Video files are usually over 50MB making them unusable on most sites.

Surpassing the small default limit leads to errors like:

File exceeds max upload size limit. 
Maximum upload file size: 8 MB. Please try again.

Without increasing the max size, you‘ll have to compress images or split files which is a hassle.

Average Max Upload File Size Limits:

Hosting Provider	Default Limit
Bluehost	8MB
SiteGround	30MB
WP Engine	100MB

As you can see, cheaper shared hosts offer very small default limits. Upgrading to managed WordPress hosting gives higher limits.

But you can increase limits yourself on any host by following this guide.

How to Check Your Current Upload Limit

Let‘s first check the current max upload file size limit:

1. Go to Media > Add New in your WordPress admin.
2. Look for the max upload file size notice.

This limit is controlled by the php.ini file on your host server. Let‘s see how to increase it.

Contact Web Host Support (Easiest Method)

The easiest way to increase max upload file size is to contact your WordPress hosting provider‘s support team.

It takes them just 2 minutes to change the php.ini limit for your account.

Just open a support ticket and their technicians will guide you through the process.

Pros:

• Requires no technical knowledge
• Limit can be increased in minutes
• Beginner friendly

Cons:

• Depends on web host support response time
• Preferred limits may not be available

So if you don‘t want to get too technical, contacting hosting support is the way to go.

Edit php.ini in cPanel (Intermediate)

Most managed WordPress hosts like Bluehost, SiteGround, etc provide cPanel access that makes editing php.ini easy.

Just follow these steps:

1. Login to your web hosting cPanel dashboard.
2. Go to Software > MultiPHP INI Editor.
3. Under upload_max_filesize, enter your desired max file size limit.
4. Click Apply Changes.

This immediately increases the max upload file size for your WordPress site.

Pros:

• Quick and easy process
• Intermediate technical skills needed

Cons:

• Host must provide cPanel access
• Preferred limits may be restricted

So if your host provides cPanel, this is the best DIY method to increase PHP upload limits.

Use a Code Snippet Plugin (Intermediate)

Here is how you can increase max upload size using a code snippet plugin like WPCode without editing php.ini.

1. Install and activate the WPCode plugin.
2. Add this PHP code snippet:

@ini_set( ‘upload_max_filesize‘ , ‘256M‘ );
@ini_set( ‘post_max_size‘, ‘256M‘);
@ini_set( ‘max_execution_time‘, ‘300‘ ); 

3. Increase 256M to your preferred max file size.
4. Activate the code snippet.

This will override the default php.ini limit set by your web host.

Pros:

• Quick and easy process
• No file editing needed
• Limit can be changed anytime

Cons:

• Need to install a plugin
• Intermediate PHP skills required

For those who don‘t have cPanel access or don‘t want to edit core files, a code snippet plugin is the solution.

.htaccess Modification (Advanced)

You can also increase max upload size by editing the .htaccess file containing Apache web server configuration.

Just add the following:

php_value upload_max_filesize 512M
php_value post_max_size 512M 
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300

Save the changes to override default php.ini limits.

Pros:

• Don‘t need access to php.ini
• Can set size higher than cPanel limits

Cons:

• Need FTP access
• Risk of breaking site if incorrect
• Advanced technical skills required

So .htaccess modification is best for advanced users with FTP access who need file size higher than standard cPanel limits.

Upload Size Limit Plugin (Beginner-Friendly)

For beginners, the WP Increase Upload Filesize plugin is the easiest way to change max upload size.

1. Install and activate this plugin.
2. Go to Media > Increase Upload Limit.
3. Select your desired max file size.
4. Save changes.

You can now upload files up to the new limit without any issues.

Pros:

• Super simple process
• No technical skills required
• Limit can be changed anytime

Cons:

• Need to install a plugin
• Maximum limit depends on your host

This beginner-friendly plugin takes just a minute to install and configure higher upload size limits in WordPress.

Final Thoughts

I hope this detailed guide helped you learn quickly how to increase the maximum file upload size limit in WordPress.

Let me know if you have any questions! I‘m happy to help fellow webmasters based on my 15 years of experience.

Just leave a comment below and I‘ll get back to you. Learn more tips by subscribing to our YouTube channel.