Key takeaways
- “Allowed memory size of X bytes exhausted” means a PHP process needed more memory than allowed.
- Raise
WP_MEMORY_LIMIT(front end) andWP_MAX_MEMORY_LIMIT(admin) inwp-config.php— but the server’s PHP limit is the ceiling. - If memory use keeps climbing, find the heavy plugin rather than raising limits forever.
Memory errors often appear during updates, imports, image processing, page-builder editing or WooCommerce tasks. Here’s how to raise the limit correctly and how to know when the real problem is elsewhere.
Check your current limits#
Go to Tools → Site Health → Info → Server (PHP memory limit) and WordPress constants (WP_MEMORY_LIMIT, WP_MAX_MEMORY_LIMIT).
Method 1: wp-config.php#
Add above /* That's all, stop editing! */:
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );
define( 'WP_MAX_MEMORY_LIMIT', '512M' );WordPress can’t exceed the server’s memory_limit. If Site Health still shows a lower value, raise it on the server too.
Method 2: server PHP settings#
| Where | Setting |
|---|---|
| cPanel → MultiPHP INI Editor / Select PHP Version → Options | memory_limit = 512M |
.user.ini or php.ini in the site root |
memory_limit = 512M |
.htaccess (Apache with mod_php only) |
php_value memory_limit 512M |
| Managed hosts | Dashboard setting or ask support |
Recommended values#
| Site type | Front end | Admin |
|---|---|---|
| Blog / brochure site | 128–256M | 256M |
| Page builders, many plugins | 256M | 512M |
| WooCommerce, LMS, memberships | 256–512M | 512M+ |
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When raising the limit isn’t the answer#
If a simple page needs 512 MB, something is wrong: a plugin loading huge datasets, an infinite loop, or a bloated autoloaded option. Use Query Monitor to see peak memory per page and identify the culprit. Check wp_options autoload size — see database optimization.
Related errors#
- White screen — memory exhaustion is a common cause; see white screen of death.
- Maximum execution time exceeded — raise
max_execution_time(e.g. 120) for imports and backups. - Upload size limits —
upload_max_filesizeandpost_max_size.
Memory limit FAQ#
Does a higher memory limit make WordPress faster?#
No. It only prevents crashes when a process needs more memory. Speed comes from caching, efficient code and good hosting.
Is 512M safe on shared hosting?#
Your host may cap it. If processes regularly need that much, consider better hosting or fixing the heavy plugin.
Why is admin memory higher?#
Admin tasks like updates, imports and image editing need more memory than displaying pages.