PHP errors: memory, uploads and timeouts
What "allowed memory size exhausted", "file too large" and "maximum execution time exceeded" mean and how to fix them.
Last updated 2026-10-03
These messages mean a limit on your website has been reached, not that anything is broken. You can raise the limit yourself.
| What you see | What it means | What to change |
|---|---|---|
| "Allowed memory size of … bytes exhausted" | A page needed more memory than the limit allows | Memory limit |
| "The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize" or "file too large" | A file is bigger than the upload limit | Upload size |
| "Maximum execution time of … seconds exceeded", or a page that times out | A page ran longer than allowed, often an import, backup or heavy plugin | Maximum run time |
How to change them
- Open Tools in the control panel.
- Under the PHP settings, raise the limit that matches your error, and save.
- Try again.
Sensible steps: memory to 256 or 512 MB, upload size to a little more than your biggest file, run time to 120 or 300 seconds for a one-off import. Very high values slow the server for everyone, so choose what you need rather than the maximum.
The chat's technical assistant can show you exactly what would change and make the change if you press its button.
If the error comes back
- A page that always needs a huge amount of memory usually has a problem: a plugin that is misbehaving, or a very large import that should be done in smaller pieces.
- A very old plugin may not suit your PHP version. See Change your PHP version and settings.