Running a WordPress website is exciting, but sometimes you might encounter frustrating errors that stop your site from functioning smoothly. One common problem is hitting the WordPress memory limit. This error often shows up as a “Fatal error: Allowed memory size exhausted” message or when plugins/themes don’t load correctly. Fortunately, fixing this issue is easier than it looks, even if you’re not a developer. Let’s explore why this happens and the steps you can take to resolve it quickly.
What Causes WordPress Memory Limit Errors
WordPress needs a certain amount of server memory to process tasks like loading themes, running plugins, or executing PHP scripts. When your site demands more memory than the server allows, you encounter a memory limit error. Some common causes include:
- Too many active plugins or heavy plugins consuming memory
- Complex themes with lots of custom scripts
- High traffic spikes that overload server resources
- Hosting plans with limited PHP memory allocation
Checking Your Current WordPress Memory Limit
Before increasing the memory, check the current limit to understand how much you’re working with. You can do this by installing a plugin like Site Health or checking your phpinfo.php file. Alternatively, some hosting dashboards show the allocated memory directly in their settings panel.
Increasing the WordPress Memory Limit
Edit the wp-config.php File
One of the simplest ways to increase memory is to modify your wp-config.php file.
- Connect to your site via FTP or use the File Manager in your hosting panel.
- Locate the
wp-config.phpfile in the root folder. - Add the following line just before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing!”:
define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ );
Save the changes and refresh your site to see if the error disappears.
Update the .htaccess File
If modifying wp-config.php doesn’t work, try adjusting your .htaccess file. Add this code at the top of the file:
php_value memory_limit 256M
This method works well on Apache servers but may not apply if you’re on certain managed hosting platforms.
Modify the php.ini File
For advanced users or VPS/dedicated servers, you can edit the php.ini file:
memory_limit = 256M
After saving, restart your server or PHP process for the changes to take effect.
Contact Your Hosting Provider
If you’re on a shared hosting plan, your provider may restrict memory changes. In that case, reach out to your hosting support team and ask them to raise the PHP memory limit to 256M or 512M.
Optimizing Your WordPress Site to Use Less Memory
While increasing memory can solve the issue, it’s equally important to optimize your site to prevent future problems.
- Deactivate unused plugins – Every plugin consumes resources, even if inactive.
- Switch to a lightweight theme – Overly complex themes drain memory.
- Use caching plugins – Tools like W3 Total Cache or WP Rocket reduce server load.
- Upgrade hosting – Consider moving to a VPS or managed WordPress host for better performance.
Why This Matters for SEO and Performance
WordPress memory errors don’t just break your site; they also impact your SEO rankings. Search engines penalize websites with frequent downtime or slow loading speeds. By increasing the memory limit and optimizing performance, you ensure a smoother user experience, better crawlability, and higher search visibility.
Common Scenarios Where Memory Issues Occur
- Running resource-heavy plugins like WooCommerce or page builders
- Importing large demo content or databases
- Processing bulk actions such as image optimization or backups
- Experiencing sudden spikes in traffic during promotions
Final Thoughts
WordPress memory limit errors are common but completely fixable with a few adjustments. By increasing your PHP memory, optimizing plugins and themes, and upgrading your hosting if needed, you can prevent these issues from recurring. Always monitor your site’s performance and keep backups before making changes to your core files.