Encountering the '413 Request Entity Too Large' error in WordPress? This frustrating issue typically strikes when uploading themes, plugins, or other large files that exceed your server's limits. As experienced WordPress administrators, we've resolved this countless times—follow our expert-tested methods below to get back up and running quickly.
This error occurs when a file upload surpasses the maximum size allowed by your web server or hosting configuration. Instead of a clear size limit message, your browser displays the 413 error page.
Most reputable WordPress hosts configure servers to handle large media uploads seamlessly. However, theme and plugin zip files often push beyond default limits (typically 2-8MB), triggering the error. For media library uploads exceeding limits, you'll see a direct "file exceeds maximum size" notice instead.
Let's dive into reliable fixes we've used on production sites.
Several proven approaches exist. We'll cover them all—start with the simplest for your setup.
Method 1. Increase Upload Limits via functions.php
Add this code to your active theme's functions.php file or a custom site plugin (backup first):
@ini_set('upload_max_size', '64M');
@ini_set('post_max_size', '64M');
@ini_set('max_execution_time', '300');Adjust upload_max_size and post_max_size above your file's size. Set max_execution_time to at least double the expected upload time. This works on most shared hosting without server access.
Method 2. Increase Limits via .htaccess
Edit your site's root .htaccess file (via FTP or hosting file manager) and append:
php_value upload_max_filesize 64M php_value post_max_size 64M php_value max_execution_time 300 php_value max_input_time 300
For full details, see our comprehensive guide on increasing the maximum file upload size in WordPress.
Method 3. Upload Files Manually via FTP
If errors persist for specific files, bypass the dashboard entirely with FTP. For themes, follow our WordPress theme installation guide (FTP section). For plugins, check our plugin installation tutorial. For other files, refer to uploading WordPress files via FTP.
These steps have helped thousands of sites, including high-traffic ones we manage. If issues continue, contact your host—they may need to adjust PHP settings server-wide.
We hope this resolves your 413 error swiftly. Explore our roundup of common WordPress errors and fixes for more troubleshooting.
Subscribe to our WordPress YouTube channel for video tutorials. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for tips.