WordPress Memory Exhausted Error Slowing You Down? Here Are 5 Ways To Fix It

While working on your WordPress site, maybe adding some new content or a plugin, you might suddenly run into the WordPress memory exhausted error. 

Everything grinds to a halt, and you’re left wondering what to do next. Your site could slow down, and you might worry about losing visitors. 

But don’t stress; we’ve found some easy fixes that worked for us and should help you too. This article will walk you through how to get your site back on track.

TL;DR: The WordPress memory exhausted error happens when your site requires more memory than is available, leading to slowdowns or loading issues. Always backup your entire site before editing core files during troubleshooting to safeguard against data loss or site crashes.

Understanding the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error

The WordPress memory exhausted error occurs when WordPress tries to use more memory than what’s been allocated by your server. Think of it like trying to stuff too many clothes into a small suitcase—it just can’t hold everything.

Servers set aside a specific amount of memory for various tasks, and if WordPress requires more than that, it can’t function properly. This error might prevent you from completing actions like updating your site, and parts of your website might fail to load or become very slow.

What Causes This Error?

Here are some reasons why this error might pop up:

• Large plugins or themes: Require extra resources for installation or updating.
• Inactive plugins: Even when not in use, these can consume resources.
• Large media files: Big images or videos take up space.
• Complex code: Inefficient or complex code requires more resources.
• High traffic: A spike in visitors increases resource usage, especially on limited-capacity servers.
• Shared hosting: Resources are divided among multiple sites, reducing availability.
• Concurrent tasks: Running tasks like backups or scans at the same time can surpass resource limits.

How to Fix the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error

If you’re facing the WordPress memory exhausted error, here are a few easy steps you can try to resolve it:

1. Edit the wp-config.php file

To start, access your site’s files using FTP. Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory, often labeled as public_html or www, where WordPress is installed. 

Open the file and insert the following line of code just before the line that reads, “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.”:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

Save your changes and see if the error is resolved.

2. Modify the php.ini file

If you have the access, find your server’s php.ini file, find the line that specifies memory_limit. Increase the value, for example, from 64M to 256M. You may need to restart your server for these changes to take effect.

3. Edit the .htaccess file

Find the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory, often named public_html or www. Add the following line:

php_value memory_limit 256M

Save the file and check if this solves the issue.

Contact your hosting provider

If you’re on shared hosting and can’t make these changes, reach out to your hosting provider. They may be able to increase your memory limit. If your site is experiencing heavy traffic, it might be a good idea to consider upgrading your hosting plan for more resources.

Review and optimize plugins

Take a look at the plugins you have installed. Remove any that aren’t in use to free up resources. Identify any plugins consuming a lot of resources by deactivating them one by one.

How to Prevent This Error from Occurring Again

To avoid encountering the WordPress memory exhausted error in the future, here are some straightforward tips:

Stay updated: Regularly update WordPress, along with your themes and plugins. This helps keep your site secure and minimizes potential issues.

Opt for lightweight plugins and themes: Choose options that don’t require too much memory, which helps your site run more efficiently.

Monitor resource usage: Keep track of how much memory your site is using to catch issues early on.

Optimize your database: Regularly clean and optimize your database to enhance site speed and reduce memory usage.

Implement caching: Use caching to store copies of your pages, which can make your site load faster.

Eliminate unused plugins: Remove plugins you don’t need and avoid installing too many. This can help improve site performance.

Review your hosting plan: Ensure your hosting plan offers enough resources for your site’s demands, and consider upgrading if necessary.

Last words

Resolving the memory exhausted error not only improves your site’s performance but also prevents future issues. 

By keeping everything up to date and performing regular maintenance, you can avoid these problems before they start. 

FAQs

How to fix WordPress memory exhausted error?

To resolve the WordPress memory exhausted error, you need to increase your site’s memory limit. You can achieve this by editing the wp-config.php, php.ini, or .htaccess files to allocate more memory. If you use shared hosting, you may need to contact your hosting provider for support.

How to increase memory_limit in WordPress?

To boost the memory limit in WordPress, add define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’); to your wp-config.php file. You can also adjust the commands in php.ini or .htaccess files to raise the limit, or contact your hosting provider if necessary.

What is my WordPress memory limit?

Your WordPress memory limit is the highest amount of server memory designated for WordPress operations. You can find this by checking the wp-config.php file or by using a plugin that shows server and site details.

Why is not enough memory allocated to my WordPress site?

Your WordPress site might have insufficient memory due to standard hosting configurations or resource-intensive plugins. This issue can also arise if your site sees a spike in traffic or if you’re on a shared hosting plan with restricted resources.

How to increase PHP memory limit?

To raise the PHP memory limit, access your server’s php.ini file and increase the memory_limit value, such as setting it to 256M. If you lack access to this file, you can modify the .htaccess file or ask your hosting provider for help.