Uploading a large theme, video, backup or database file through a website or phpMyAdmin often fails with a size error. The limit usually comes from PHP settings, which you can change yourself in cPanel. For really big files, a different upload method is the better fix.
Before you start
- Note the exact message and where it appears (WordPress, phpMyAdmin, a form, File Manager).
- Know the file size you need to upload.
Recognise the error
| Message | Cause |
|---|---|
| The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini | PHP's per-file limit |
| Maximum upload file size: 2 MB (WordPress media screen) | Same limit, shown by WordPress |
| 413 Request Entity Too Large | The request is larger than the web server or proxy accepts |
| Upload stops without error, page reloads empty | post_max_size exceeded, so PHP drops the whole request |
| Upload starts, then times out | max_execution_time / max_input_time too low, or slow connection |
Raise the PHP limits
- Open cPanel → Software → Select PHP Version → Options (CloudLinux), or cPanel → Software → MultiPHP INI Editor for domains on EasyApache PHP. See Select PHP Version and MultiPHP INI Editor.
- Set the values, keeping
post_max_sizeat least as large asupload_max_filesize:upload_max_filesize: e.g.128Mpost_max_size: e.g.130Mmax_execution_time:300max_input_time:300memory_limit:256M
- Save (changes apply within seconds) and reload the upload page; the displayed maximum should change.
Note: Lines like php_value upload_max_filesize 128M in .htaccess do not work with LSAPI or PHP-FPM and can cause a 500 error. Use the cPanel tools instead.
Check which tool applies
If changes in one tool have no effect, the domain uses the other PHP handler. A domain set to inherit or an alt-php version in MultiPHP Manager follows Select PHP Version; an ea-php version follows the MultiPHP INI Editor. Confirm with a temporary phpinfo() file (delete it afterwards).
For very large files, skip the browser
- Upload by FTP/SFTP with FileZilla; FTP has no PHP size limit and can resume.
- For a big database, upload the
.sql.gzby FTP and import it in Terminal:gunzip < dump.sql.gz | mysql -u cpuser_user -p cpuser_db. - For WordPress media, upload files by FTP into
wp-content/uploadsand register them with a media import plugin, or use WP-CLIwp media import.
Troubleshooting
- 413 persists after raising PHP limits: a CDN or proxy in front of the site has its own limit (some free CDN plans cap uploads around 100 MB). Upload via the server hostname or FTP.
- Limit seems capped: values above what your plan allows are ignored; contact support if you need more.
- Upload blocked as malware: see uploads blocked by Imunify360.