In case you are a blogger & you use WordPress; on some hosts you’ll notice a ‘Fatal Error : Memory Size Exhausted’ when you install a lot of plugins, upgrade to the latest WordPress version or even you’ll find an error in your Dashboard widget which prevents them from loading fully.
In case you want to reduce your plugins, then you can take a look at the Top 10 WordPress Plugins I use on DailyBlogging.
Such types of problems arise because the PHP Memory Limit of your Host is pretty less than what the process requires for performing it’s functions. In such a case you would need to follow these 5 tips to Increase your host’s PHP Memory Limit.
Above is an image of the Error I got when I upgraded from WordPress 3.0.3 –> WordPress 3.0.4. You’ll find that there is some problem with class-http.php on line 1408.
It’s not necessary that you’ll also get the same error. But as far as WordPress Upgrades are concerned; you’ll experience a similar error on your Dashboard too.
1. Increase the limit via PHP.ini file
You can directly increase the PHP Memory Limit if you’ve access to the PHP.ini file. Most small Shared hosting servers won’t give you access to the PHP.ini file. But some servers allow you to create a duplicate PHP.ini in your respective site Directories whose data/values will override the default PHP.ini values.
To do that you just need to create a file with the name ‘php.ini’ in the directory where your WordPress site is installed. In that just add the command memory_limit = 64M in it to increase the Memory Limit to 64 MB.
2. Changing the Memory Limit via wp-config.php
If you don’t want to mess with the PHP.ini file, then you can go for this method. In this you won’t be needing to create any extra file in your Directory.
Just Adding define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M'); in your ‘wp-config.php’ file would increase your PHP Memory Limit to 64 MB.
3. Modifying the .htaccess file to Increase the Memory Limit
A Default WordPress Installation won’t have a .htaccess file. But in case you already have it for some purposes like ‘301 Redirection’ which is an important aspect of WordPress SEO.
In such a case just add the command php_value memory_limit 64M in your ‘.htaccess’ file and your memory limit will increase to 64 MB.
4. Changing the Memory Limit via install.php
This method is just an Alternate to the php.ini method. Because the function of the code we use in this method is same as what we put in the php.ini file.
You just need to place the code ini_set('memory_limit','32M'); in the ‘install.php’ file which is placed in the wp-admin folder of your WordPress installation.
5. Have a talk with your Host
If you are a person who is new to all these techie sounding things then it’s better to have a Live Chat / a Call with your Host right away. It’s your right to talk to them & get the necessary changes you need as you’ve paid for it.
I would recommend you use some quality WordPress hosts available – viz HostGator / DreamHost / BlueHost.
Note:-
Follow any one of the above 5 Methods. Don’t try to implement all the 5 methods at the same moment, else you’ll end messing up things. If you are seriously not a coder then do consult your Host as mentioned in the 5th Point. Don’t experiment with a live blog which is getting considerable traffic.
Have you faced such Fatal Errors in your Initial Blogging Career ??