Are you struggling with the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error? If so, you’re not alone. This error can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you don’t know how to fix it.
Fortunately, fixing the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error is not as complicated as it seems. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to fix the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error. We will cover the causes, symptoms, and solutions to help you get your website back up and running.
What is the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error?
The WordPress Memory Exhausted Error is a common error that occurs when WordPress exceeds the memory limit allocated to it. WordPress is written in PHP language, which is a server-side programming language. Every WordPress website needs “managed WordPress cloud hosting” to function properly.
Web servers are just like normal computers. They need memory to efficiently fulfill the requests of multiple applications at the same time. Server administrators allocate specific memory sizes for various applications, including PHP.
When your WordPress script needs more memory than the default allocated memory, you will see this error. By default, WordPress automatically tries to increase the PHP memory limit if it is less than 64MB. However, 64MB is often not high enough. When this happens, WordPress cannot function properly, resulting in an error message. The error message usually looks like this:
Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 123456 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 789012 bytes) in /home/username/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 123
The numbers in the error message may vary depending on your website configuration. However, the error message will always contain the same basic information: the allowed memory size, the amount of memory used, and the file causing the error.
Causes of the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error
The WordPress Memory Exhausted Error can occur due to various reasons, including:
#Insufficient PHP Memory Limit
The most common cause of the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error is an insufficient PHP memory limit. PHP is the programming language that WordPress is built on, and it requires a certain amount of memory to run properly. If the PHP memory limit is too low, WordPress may not have enough memory to function correctly, resulting in an error message.
#Large Plugins or Themes
Another common cause of the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error is large plugins or themes. Some plugins and themes require more memory to run than others. If you have a large number of plugins or themes installed on your website, it can consume a lot of memory, causing the error.
#Corrupted WordPress Files
Corrupted WordPress files can also cause the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error. If one of your WordPress files is corrupted, it may cause WordPress to malfunction and generate an error message.
Symptoms of the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error
The symptoms of the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error are very straightforward. If you see the following error message on your website, you are experiencing the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error:
Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 123456 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 789012 bytes) in /home/username/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 123
If you see this error message, your website will be inaccessible until you fix the error.
How to Fix WordPress Memory Exhausted Error
Now that you know the causes and symptoms of the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error let’s look at how to fix it. There are several solutions to fix this error. Here are the most effective solutions:
#Increase PHP Memory Limit
The most common solution to fix the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error is to increase the PHP memory limit. To do this, you need to edit the wp-config.php file on your website. Here are the steps:
- Login to your website via FTP or HostPanel File Manager.
- Locate the wp-config.php file.
- Right-click on the file and select “Edit.”
- Add the following code to the file just before the “That’s all, stop editing!” line:
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
- Save the file and close it.
#Deactivate Large Plugins or Themes
If increasing the PHP memory limit doesn’t fix the error, the next solution is to deactivate large plugins or themes. To do this, follow these steps:
- Login to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to the “Plugins” or “Themes” section, depending on whether the error message specifies a plugin or a theme.
- Deactivate the plugin or theme causing the error.
- Refresh your website and check if the error has been fixed.
- If the error persists, deactivate other large plugins or themes until the error is fixed.
#Increase Server Memory Limit
If increasing the PHP memory limit and deactivating large plugins or themes don’t fix the error, the next solution is to increase the server memory limit. To do this, you need to contact your web hosting provider and ask them to increase the memory limit for your website.
#Use a Caching Plugin
Another solution to fix the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error is to use a caching plugin. A caching plugin can reduce the amount of memory required to load your website, making it faster and more efficient. Popular caching plugins include WP Super Cache and W3 Total Cache.
#Optimize Images
Large images can consume a lot of memory, causing the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error. To fix this, you need to optimize your images. You can use image optimization plugins like WP Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer to compress your images without losing quality.
#Upgrade Your Hosting Plan
If your website receives a lot of traffic, it may require more memory to function correctly. If this is the case, you may need to upgrade your hosting plan to a higher tier. A higher-tier hosting plan will provide you with more memory and resources to run your website.
Conclusion
The WordPress Memory Exhausted Error can be a frustrating and confusing problem to deal with, but there are several solutions to fix it. In this guide, we’ve outlined six solutions to help you resolve the issue. The first solution is to increase the PHP memory limit, which is the most common solution to this error. If that doesn’t work, you can try deactivating large plugins or themes, increasing the server memory limit, using a caching plugin, optimizing your images, or upgrading your hosting plan.
Remember, it’s always best to back up your website before making any changes or updates, just in case something goes wrong. Additionally, if you’re not comfortable making changes to your website, it’s best to contact a developer for assistance.
By following these solutions, you can fix the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error and improve your website’s performance. Keep in mind that prevention is key, so be sure to optimize your website and use caching plugins to reduce the risk of this error occurring in the future.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below.
