How to increase max upload file size in WordPress is usually the first thing that comes to mind when a “file too large” error kills an important upload. Someone tries to upload a high-res video, a big plugin, or a heavy WooCommerce product image, but WordPress just says no.
Smaller images slide through without a problem, so it feels random and confusing, and the error message rarely explains where the real limit lives. That’s when the guessing starts about whether WordPress, PHP settings, or the hosting plan is actually calling the shots.
Most of the time, the server decides the max upload file size long before WordPress gets involved, which is why tweaks inside the dashboard only go so far. This becomes a real headache for media‑heavy sites like photography portfolios, course platforms, membership sites, and busy WooCommerce stores that deal with large media files every day.
Learning how to increase max upload file size in WordPress in a clean, safe way gives those sites room to grow without running into the same roadblock over and over again.
How to Check Current Max Upload File Size in WordPress
Before changing anything, it helps to see the current upload cap. From the dashboard, go to Media → Add New, then look under the uploader for a line showing “Maximum upload file size: X MB”.
Another option is Tools → Site Health → Info, then open the Media Handling section to see “Max size of an uploaded file”. This quick check shows if changes actually worked later when testing the new max upload file size in WordPress.
Method 1: Ask the Hosting Provider
For those who are new to WordPress or don’t want to dive into technical tweaks, reaching out to the hosting provider is often the smartest move. Hosting support teams can quickly check what the current upload limit is set to on the server side. They can also increase this limit if the hosting plan allows it, or explain the maximum upload size permitted under the plan. This option avoids dealing with files or code and is usually the fastest way to get past upload errors.
Managed WordPress hosts tend to be flexible in adjusting upload limits for their customers within reasonable bounds. However, if really large files need to be uploaded frequently, simply raising the WordPress max upload file size might not be the best answer. In those cases, the host often recommends alternatives like using SFTP to upload files directly to the server, connecting via SSH, or offloading heavy media to a content delivery network (CDN). These options reduce strain on the website and keep it running smoothly without hitting upload size ceilings repeatedly.
Method 2: Increase Max Upload File Size with wp-config.php
People okay with tweaking WordPress files can try the wp-config.php approach. It sits right in the site’s main folder. Grab it through FTP or the host’s file manager. Backup first, always.
Drop these lines near the end, before the “That’s all” part.
@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');Save and upload. Clear the site cache. Check Site Health > Info to see the new limit. This beats messing with theme files since updates won’t wipe it out.
Method 3: Change Max Upload File Size via .htaccess
If your site runs on Apache, grab the .htaccess file from the main WordPress folder. Get there with FTP or the host’s file tool. Turn on hidden files if it does not show up. Make a copy first. Open it in a basic text editor. Paste these lines at the very end.
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 300Save it back to the server. Reload the site. Head to Media > Add New. The upload limit should jump up. A 500 error means your host stops this trick. Delete those lines quick to fix the site.
This sets PHP rules just for your WordPress setup. It handles big images or themes better with extra memory and time. Not every host plays along, though. Test small first.
Method 4: Increase Max Upload File Size from Hosting Control Panel
If your host uses a cPanel‑style control panel, boosting upload limits is often just a few clicks away. Log into your hosting account and open tools like “MultiPHP INI Editor” or “PHP Options.”
There, you can change settings like upload_max_filesize, post_max_size, and memory_limit without needing to edit files manually. Just find the relevant fields, enter your desired file size limits, and save the changes.
This method offers a safer path for users without coding experience because it skips messing with core site files. Once updates are saved, head back to WordPress in Media → Add New and check if the upload limit reflects the new size. Keep in mind that the max size you can set here might still be overwritten by your hosting plan’s overall limits.
Method 5: Increase Max Upload File Size in WordPress Multisite
When managing a WordPress Multisite network, there’s an extra control at the network level that sets the max upload file size for all sites. Network admins can jump into the Network Admin dashboard.
From there, heads up to Settings and then Network Settings—scroll down to the bottom to find the “Max upload file size” box.
Simply enter the value you want, keeping in mind that it’s measured in kilobytes (so 50000 means 50 MB).
Save your changes, and this stops individual subsites from sticking with low upload limits by default.
It’s important to remember this setting cannot bypass the web server’s upload cap. If the server or PHP limits are set lower, word from the hosting side matters more.
Safer Ways to Handle Really Large Files
Big files can drag down site speed even after you bump up the max upload file size. They eat server memory and make pages load slow for visitors. Start by optimizing images with free tools like TinyPNG before they hit WordPress. Plugins such as Smush or Imagify then squeeze them more right in the media library. This cuts file weights without losing much quality.
Avoid putting large videos or backup files directly into your WordPress uploads folder. Put them on YouTube, Vimeo, or cloud spots like Amazon S3 instead. Link or embed from there to save space and boost delivery speed. A CDN like Cloudflare spreads heavy assets worldwide fast.
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