Increase WordPress Upload Size (Fix 2MB Errors)

Understanding the Upload Size Limit

The fastest answer to “how to change upload size in WordPress” is to raise the upload limits that your server enforces. WordPress itself does have limits, but the maximum file size you can upload is often controlled by your hosting environment. Many hosts set a default limit around 2MB, so larger images, videos, or zip packages fail quickly.

You may see different errors depending on the limit that blocks the upload. Common messages include “The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive,” or WordPress media errors that happen after the upload starts. The key is that WordPress settings and server settings must align.

• upload_max_filesize limits the largest single file the server accepts.
• post_max_size limits the total request body size for uploads.
• memory_limit can affect how WordPress processes uploaded media.

Because these are server-side controls, changing only a WordPress setting may not help.

Why Increase Upload Size?

You want to increase upload size in WordPress when your site content needs bigger files. Media-heavy sites often hit limits with large featured images, high-resolution screenshots, short videos, and import files. Plugin and theme updates can also be blocked if the packages exceed the current cap.

If you run an e-commerce site, a course site, or a portfolio site, upload limits can slow you down fast. You might work around the limits by compressing images, but that can reduce quality. Raising limits lets you upload what you actually intend to publish.

Also, upload failures waste time and can create partial uploads. Your editor can appear to “hang,” and then the request fails. Fixing the underlying limit gives you fewer retries and fewer broken media entries.

Methods to Increase Upload Size

There are three practical ways to increase maximum file upload size in WordPress. The best route depends on what access you have and how comfortable you are editing server files. For non-technical users, a plugin is usually the simplest choice.

If you manage a server or have hosting control panel access, you can raise limits through cPanel settings. If you have direct file access, you can edit php.ini configuration and also adjust .htaccess rules. In some cases, your host may restrict which methods are allowed.

1. Contact your hosting provider if you cannot change server files. Many hosts can increase limits for you quickly.
2. Use cPanel to adjust upload limits, when the host exposes those controls.
3. Edit php.ini and .htaccess if you have access and know the right values.

Before changing anything, note your current limits so you can verify your update later. Then pick the smallest change that fixes the current upload errors.

Using a Plugin to Increase the Limit

If you are asking “how to increase maximum file upload size in WordPress” and you want an easy path, start with a plugin. A plugin such as Big File Uploads can raise upload limits from within WordPress. It is often the best option for users who do not have access to php.ini or .htaccess.

Plugin-based changes are not universal. Some hosts block the approach if server settings are stricter than the plugin can override. Even then, a plugin can still help for many shared hosting setups.

When you use a plugin, confirm it after the upload limit changes. Then test by uploading a file that is slightly larger than your current cap. If the upload fails again, you likely need a server-side change.

• Install the plugin from your WordPress admin area.
• Enable it and save its settings.
• Upload a test file that previously failed.

This method reduces risk because you avoid manual config edits.

Editing php.ini and .htaccess

When plugin settings do not fix the problem, the underlying issue is usually your server configuration. The php.ini file is the main place to adjust upload limits. Look for settings called upload_max_filesize, post_max_size, and memory_limit.

To change upload size in WordPress using php.ini configuration, raise those values to exceed your target file size. For example, if you want to upload a 10MB file, set upload_max_filesize to at least 12MB. Then set post_max_size to a higher number, such as 20MB, to cover overhead.

Here is a starting point you can adapt. Use values that match your host’s limits and your real file sizes.

php.ini setting	What it controls	Example value
upload_max_filesize	Largest single file	12M
post_max_size	Total upload request size	20M
memory_limit	Processing memory during upload	256M

After editing, restart PHP if your host requires it. Many hosts apply php.ini changes automatically, but some need a refresh through a control panel.

Next, consider .htaccess file modifications. On Apache servers, hosts sometimes allow you to set limits using directives in .htaccess. The exact lines can vary, so use your host’s documented approach if available. If .htaccess changes are not permitted, your edits might not apply.

In all cases, follow a careful sequence: update server settings, then re-test the upload. Do not change WordPress settings until you confirm the server accepts the file.

Checking Your Updated Upload Size

After you change values, verify your new limits inside WordPress. You can check the current upload limit from the WordPress admin area under Media. This view shows what WordPress believes is the maximum upload size.

WordPress also includes a tool that helps with this. Use Site Health to see environment information and upload-related warnings. If the WordPress display does not reflect your changes, it usually means the server settings did not apply.

Verification matters because configuration changes can fail silently. That is especially true on managed hosting where direct file edits can be overwritten. Testing immediately tells you whether your change worked.

• Go to WordPress admin → Media to review the displayed max upload size.
• Open Site Health to confirm your server environment values.
• Upload one test file that is slightly above the old limit.

If the test file still fails, move to troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with correct steps, you can still hit upload errors. The most common cause is a mismatch between the file size you are uploading and the limits that gate the request. Another frequent problem is that your host controls PHP settings and ignores custom edits.

Start by matching the error message to the setting that likely caused it. “exceeds upload_max_filesize” points to that specific value. “exceeds post_max_size” usually means the request body cap is too low. “out of memory” errors often relate to memory_limit.

• Contact support if you cannot edit php.ini or .htaccess. Ask them to raise upload_max_filesize and post_max_size.
• Keep post_max_size higher than upload_max_filesize. Many uploads fail because both are set too close.
• Increase memory_limit if media processing fails after upload.
• Check for plugin conflicts if only some uploads fail. Media tools can add extra processing.

Also remember that WordPress settings can look correct while server settings remain unchanged. That happens on some hosts where php.ini is managed centrally. If your Media page still shows the old limit, you have not actually raised the server cap.

When all else fails, test in a controlled way. Try a single small file type first, such as a JPG under 5MB. Then try your real target file size. This isolates whether the problem is file size, file type, or request handling.

With the right limit set, you can finally handle large media, bigger theme packages, and larger plugin installs without repeated failures.