How to modify PHP settings (php.ini) on cPanel

Estimated time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate ⭐⭐
Prerequisites: Access to cPanel

📋 Introduction

The php.ini file is the main PHP configuration file. It controls essential settings such as:

📦 The maximum file upload size
🧠 The memory allocated to scripts
⏱️ The script execution time
🔧 The enabled PHP extensions
🐛 The display of errors

On cPanel, you can easily modify these settings using the MultiPHP INI Editor, without having to manually edit configuration files.

🎯 When to Modify PHP Settings?

Common Situations

❌ Issue Encountered	✅ Setting to Modify
"The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize"	`upload_max_filesize`
"Allowed memory size exhausted"	`memory_limit`
"Maximum execution time exceeded"	`max_execution_time`
"Post Content-Length exceeds the limit"	`post_max_size`
Complex forms not saving	`max_input_vars`
Timeout during imports/exports	`max_input_time`
500 errors on WordPress/WooCommerce sites	Multiple settings

📊 Essential PHP Settings

Summary Table

Setting	Description	Default Server	Recommended for WordPress	Recommended for WooCommerce
`memory_limit`	Max memory per script	128M	256M	512M
`upload_max_filesize`	Max size of uploaded file	2M - 64M	64M	128M
`post_max_size`	Max size of POST data	8M	128M	256M
`max_execution_time`	Max execution time (sec)	30	300	600
`max_input_time`	Max input data read time (sec)	60	300	600
`max_input_vars`	Max number of input variables	1000	3000	5000

📖 Detailed Description of Settings

🧠 memory_limit

Description: Maximum amount of memory a PHP script can use.

memory_limit = 256M

Site Type	Recommended Value
Simple showcase site	128M
WordPress blog	256M
WordPress + plugins	256M - 512M
WooCommerce	512M
Heavy PHP application	512M - 1024M

Associated Error:

Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted

⚠️ Important: memory_limit must be greater than or equal to post_max_size.

📤 upload_max_filesize

Description: Maximum size of an individual file during upload.

upload_max_filesize = 64M

Usage	Recommended Value
Optimized web images	16M
High-resolution photos	32M
WordPress themes/plugins	64M
Short videos	128M
Large files	256M+

Associated Error:

The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini

💡 Tip: Also check WordPress limits: Media → Add.

📨 post_max_size

Description: Maximum total size of data sent via POST (includes uploaded files).

post_max_size = 128M

Important Rule:

post_max_size ≥ upload_max_filesize

💡 Tip: Set post_max_size slightly higher than upload_max_filesize to account for metadata.

Example:

upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 68M or 128M

Associated Error:

Warning: POST Content-Length of X bytes exceeds the limit of Y bytes

⏱️ max_execution_time

Description: Maximum duration (in seconds) a script can run for.

max_execution_time = 300

Operation	Recommended Value
Normal browsing	30 (default)
WordPress import/export	300
Report generation	300 - 600
Site migration	600 - 900
Automatic backups	600

Associated Error:

Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded

⚠️ Attention: On shared hosting, this value may be capped (often at 90-120 seconds).

⏳ max_input_time

Description: Maximum duration (in seconds) to parse input data (POST, GET, uploads).

max_input_time = 300

Situation	Recommended Value
Simple forms	60 (default)
Uploading large files	300
CSV/XML imports	300 - 600
Slow connection	600

💡 -1 = no limit (not recommended for production).

🔢 max_input_vars

Description: Maximum number of accepted input variables (form fields).

max_input_vars = 3000

Content Type	Recommended Value
Simple site	1000 (default)
WordPress with complex menus	3000
WooCommerce with attributes	5000
Page builders (Elementor, Divi)	5000 - 10000

Symptoms if too low:

WordPress menus not saving completely
Theme options disappearing
Unsaved WooCommerce variations

🐛 display_errors

Description: Displays PHP errors directly on the page.

display_errors = Off   # Production (recommended)
display_errors = On    # Development only

⚠️ Security: Always disabled in production! Errors can reveal sensitive information.

📝 error_reporting

Description: Level of detail of errors to report.

Value	Description
`E_ALL`	All errors
`E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE`	Errors except notices
`E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE & ~E_DEPRECATED`	No notices or deprecations
`0`	No errors

Recommended for production:

error_reporting = E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_STRICT

📁 error_log

Description: Path to the file where errors are logged.

error_log = /home/user/logs/php_errors.log

💡 Useful for debugging without displaying errors to visitors.

🔒 allow_url_fopen

Description: Allows opening remote files via URL.

allow_url_fopen = On   # Often required for WordPress

Used by:

WordPress updates
Retrieval of RSS feeds
External APIs

🔐 allow_url_include

Description: Allows inclusion of remote files via include/require.

allow_url_include = Off   # Always disabled (security)

⚠️ Security: Never enable! Major risk of code injection.

⚙️ Method 1: MultiPHP INI Editor (Basic Mode)

The basic mode offers a simple interface with pre-configured fields.

Step 1: Access MultiPHP INI Editor

Log in to cPanel
In the Software section, click on MultiPHP INI Editor

Step 2: Select the Location

Stay on the Basic Mode tab
In the dropdown menu "Select a location", choose:
- Personal directory (home): Applies to all domains
- Domain's Document root: Applies only to this domain

💡 Tip: To modify a single site, select its document root (e.g., public_html/mysite.com).

Step 3: Modify the Settings

After selecting the location, a list of PHP directives appears:

Directive	Field to modify
`memory_limit`	Enter `256M`
`upload_max_filesize`	Enter `64M`
`post_max_size`	Enter `128M`
`max_execution_time`	Enter `300`
`max_input_time`	Enter `300`
`max_input_vars`	Enter `3000`

Step 4: Apply the Changes

Click on the Apply button
A confirmation message appears:

✅ PHP settings have been successfully updated.

💡 Changes are immediate. No restart required.

🔧 Method 2: MultiPHP INI Editor (Editor Mode)

The editor mode allows adding custom directives not available in basic mode.

Step 1: Switch to Editor Mode

In MultiPHP INI Editor, click on the Editor Mode tab
Select the location (domain or personal directory)

Step 2: Add Directives

A text area displays the current content of the php.ini file. You can add lines:

; === CUSTOM CONFIGURATION ===

; Memory and limits
memory_limit = 512M
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 256M

; Execution time
max_execution_time = 600
max_input_time = 600

; Input variables
max_input_vars = 5000

; Error handling (production)
display_errors = Off
log_errors = On
error_reporting = E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_STRICT

; Sessions
session.gc_maxlifetime = 1440

; Timezone
date.timezone = Europe/Paris

Step 3: Save

Click Save
Verify that the changes are applied (see Verification section)

📝 Method 3: .htaccess File

If MultiPHP INI Editor is not available, you can modify settings via .htaccess.

Add Directives

Open the .htaccess file at the root of your site and add:

# === PHP CONFIGURATION ===

# Memory
php_value memory_limit 256M

# Upload
php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
php_value post_max_size 128M

# Execution time
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300

# Variables
php_value max_input_vars 3000

# Errors (production)
php_flag display_errors Off
php_flag log_errors On

⚠️ Important: This method only works with the Apache handler (mod_php or suPHP). It does not work with PHP-FPM or CGI.

📄 Method 4: Custom php.ini File

You can create a php.ini file in your site's directory.

Create the File

Using the File Manager in cPanel, go to public_html
Create a new file named php.ini
Add the content:

memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300
max_input_vars = 3000

💡 On some servers, the file must be named .user.ini instead of php.ini.

📄 Method 5: .user.ini File (PHP-FPM)

For servers using PHP-FPM, create a .user.ini file:

Create the File

In public_html, create .user.ini
Add:

memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300
max_input_vars = 3000

⚠️ Changes via .user.ini may take 5 minutes to apply (PHP-FPM cache).

✅ Verify Changes

Method 1: Via WordPress

Go to Tools → Site Health → Info
Scroll down to the Server section
Check the values:
- PHP memory limit
- Maximum upload size
- Max execution time
- Max input variables

Method 2: Via phpinfo()

Create a file info.php in public_html:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

Go to https://your-site.com/info.php
Look for the modified settings (Ctrl+F)
Delete the file after checking (security)

Method 3: Via WordPress (Media)

Go to Media → Add
The maximum upload size is displayed:

Maximum upload size: 64 MB

🎯 Recommended Configurations by Site Type

Showcase Site / Simple Blog

memory_limit = 128M
upload_max_filesize = 32M
post_max_size = 64M
max_execution_time = 120
max_input_time = 120
max_input_vars = 1000

Standard WordPress

memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300
max_input_vars = 3000

WordPress + Page Builder (Elementor, Divi, WPBakery)

memory_limit = 512M
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 256M
max_execution_time = 600
max_input_time = 600
max_input_vars = 10000

WooCommerce / E-commerce

memory_limit = 512M
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 256M
max_execution_time = 600
max_input_time = 600
max_input_vars = 5000

PrestaShop

memory_limit = 512M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 600
max_input_time = 600
max_input_vars = 20000

Custom PHP Application / API

memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 256M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300
max_input_vars = 3000
allow_url_fopen = On

🔧 Troubleshooting

Changes Not Taking Effect

❌ Possible Cause	✅ Solution
Active PHP cache	Wait 5 minutes or clear the cache
Incorrect selected location	Ensure you have selected the correct domain
Priority .htaccess file	Remove PHP directives from .htaccess
Incompatible PHP handler	Use MultiPHP INI Editor instead of .htaccess
Server limit	Contact the host (some values are capped)

Error 500 After Modification

Using FTP/File Manager:
- Rename .htaccess to .htaccess.bak
- Or remove added php_value lines
Using MultiPHP INI Editor:
- Revert to default values
- Modify one directive at a time to identify the issue

"php_value not allowed here"

This error means your server uses PHP-FPM or CGI:

.htaccess: php_value not allowed here

Solution: Use MultiPHP INI Editor or create a .user.ini file.

WordPress Upload Size Not Changing

Check these elements in order:

✅ upload_max_filesize is properly modified
✅ post_max_size ≥ upload_max_filesize
✅ memory_limit ≥ post_max_size
✅ No WordPress plugin limits the upload
✅ The theme does not set a limit

File Priority Order:

1. Server php.ini (highest priority)
2. MultiPHP INI Editor
3. .user.ini or local php.ini
4. .htaccess
5. wp-config.php (WordPress)
6. functions.php (theme)

max_input_vars Ignored

Some hosts cap this value. Solutions:

Contact support to increase the limit
Upgrade to a higher plan
Optimize your WordPress menus (fewer items)

📋 Complete List of Useful PHP Directives

Memory and Resources

Directive	Description	Example
`memory_limit`	Max memory per script	`256M`
`max_execution_time`	Max execution time	`300`
`max_input_time`	Max input data read time	`300`
`max_input_vars`	Max number of variables	`3000`
`max_input_nesting_level`	Max array nesting depth	`64`

File Uploads

Directive	Description	Example
`upload_max_filesize`	Max file size	`64M`
`post_max_size`	Max POST data size	`128M`
`max_file_uploads`	Max simultaneous uploads	`20`
`file_uploads`	Allow uploads	`On`

Error Handling

Directive	Description	Example
`display_errors`	Show errors	`Off`
`log_errors`	Log errors	`On`
`error_reporting`	Error reporting level	`E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE`
`error_log`	Log file	`/home/user/logs/error.log`

Sessions

Directive	Description	Example
`session.gc_maxlifetime`	Session max lifetime (sec)	`1440`
`session.cookie_lifetime`	Session cookie lifetime	`0`
`session.save_path`	Session storage path	`/tmp`

Security

Directive	Description	Example
`allow_url_fopen`	Open URL as file	`On`
`allow_url_include`	Include remote files	`Off`
`expose_php`	Reveal PHP version	`Off`
`disable_functions`	Disabled functions	`exec,shell_exec`

Miscellaneous

Directive	Description	Example
`date.timezone`	Timezone	`Europe/Paris`
`default_charset`	Default encoding	`UTF-8`

`short_open_tag`	Short tags `<?`	`Off`
`output_buffering`	Output buffering	`4096`

📝 Summary

MODIFY PHP SETTINGS:

METHOD 1 - MultiPHP INI Editor (Recommended):
1. cPanel → Software → MultiPHP INI Editor
2. Select the domain
3. Modify the values
4. Click Apply

METHOD 2 - Editor Mode:
1. "Editor Mode" tab
2. Add directives manually
3. Click Save

METHOD 3 - .htaccess (Apache only):
php_value memory_limit 256M
php_value upload_max_filesize 64M

METHOD 4 - .user.ini (PHP-FPM):
memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M

RECOMMENDED WORDPRESS VALUES:
├── memory_limit = 256M
├── upload_max_filesize = 64M
├── post_max_size = 128M
├── max_execution_time = 300
├── max_input_time = 300
└── max_input_vars = 3000

IMPORTANT RULE:
memory_limit ≥ post_max_size ≥ upload_max_filesize

VERIFICATION:
├── WordPress: Tools → Site Health → Info → Server
├── phpinfo(): Create info.php with <?php phpinfo(); ?>
└── Media: Check max upload size

How to modify PHP settings (php.ini) on cPanel

How to modify PHP settings (php.ini) on cPanel

📋 Introduction

🎯 When to Modify PHP Settings?

Common Situations

📊 Essential PHP Settings

Summary Table

📖 Detailed Description of Settings

🧠 memory_limit

📤 upload_max_filesize

📨 post_max_size

⏱️ max_execution_time

⏳ max_input_time

🔢 max_input_vars

🐛 display_errors

📝 error_reporting

📁 error_log

🔒 allow_url_fopen

🔐 allow_url_include

⚙️ Method 1: MultiPHP INI Editor (Basic Mode)

Step 1: Access MultiPHP INI Editor

Step 2: Select the Location

Step 3: Modify the Settings

Step 4: Apply the Changes

🔧 Method 2: MultiPHP INI Editor (Editor Mode)

Step 1: Switch to Editor Mode

Step 2: Add Directives

Step 3: Save

📝 Method 3: .htaccess File

Add Directives

📄 Method 4: Custom php.ini File

Create the File

📄 Method 5: .user.ini File (PHP-FPM)

Create the File

✅ Verify Changes

Method 1: Via WordPress

Method 2: Via phpinfo()

Method 3: Via WordPress (Media)

🎯 Recommended Configurations by Site Type

Showcase Site / Simple Blog

Standard WordPress

WordPress + Page Builder (Elementor, Divi, WPBakery)

WooCommerce / E-commerce

PrestaShop

Custom PHP Application / API

🔧 Troubleshooting

Changes Not Taking Effect

Error 500 After Modification

"php_value not allowed here"

WordPress Upload Size Not Changing

max_input_vars Ignored

📋 Complete List of Useful PHP Directives

Memory and Resources

File Uploads

Error Handling

Sessions

Security

Miscellaneous

📝 Summary

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