How to Increase WordPress Upload File Size Limit

Overview

WordPress has default file upload size limits that may prevent uploading large files like high-resolution images, videos, or plugins. This guide explains how to safely increase these limits using cPanel’s CloudLinux PHP Selector.

Prerequisites

• ✔️ cPanel account access
• ✔️ CloudLinux PHP Selector (included with all WPCloud plans)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Access PHP Selector

1. Log in to cPanel
2. Scroll to “SOFTWARE” section
3. Click “Select PHP Version”

2. Modify Upload Settings

1. Click the “Options” tab
2. Locate these critical settings:
   • upload_max_filesize: Maximum file upload size
   • post_max_size: Maximum POST request size

3. Adjust Values

1. Check the boxes next to both settings
2. Set new values (example: “64M” for 64 MB)
3. Ensure post_max_size is equal to or larger than upload_max_filesize

Tip: Common values:

Important Notes

Best Practices

• ✔️ Only increase to necessary size
• ✔️ Consider server resources
• ✔️ Monitor available disk space

Common Issues

• ⚠️ Plugin-specific limitations
• ⚠️ Theme upload restrictions
• ⚠️ Server-side timeouts

Troubleshooting

If Upload Still Fails

1. Check .htaccess file for conflicting directives
2. Verify plugin upload settings
3. Ensure sufficient disk space

Common Error Messages

• “The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive”
• “The uploaded file exceeds the post_max_size directive”

Additional Considerations

Performance Impact

• Larger uploads use more server resources
• May affect concurrent uploads
• Consider using media optimization

Need Help?

Contact our support team:

• Create ticket: support.wpcloud.ca
• Email: support@wpcloud.ca