PHP Settings in cPanel¶
In cPanel, you can change selected PHP settings for your website.
This may be necessary, for example, when:
- you cannot upload a larger file,
- a data import fails,
- WordPress reports that the memory limit is too low,
- a script times out too quickly,
- a form contains many fields,
- a developer asks you to change a specific PHP parameter.
1. Where to change PHP settings¶
After logging in to cPanel, find the:
Software
section.
Then click:
MultiPHP INI Editor
2. Select a domain¶
Select the domain for which you want to change PHP settings.
Example:
If you have several domains on the hosting account, make sure you select the correct one.
3. Basic Mode¶
The easiest option is to use:
Basic Mode
Here you can change the most commonly used PHP parameters without manually editing the configuration.
After changing a value, click:
Apply
4. Most commonly changed parameters¶
memory_limit¶
Defines the maximum amount of RAM a single PHP script can use.
Example:
or:
If the application reports an error such as:
you may need to increase this parameter.
upload_max_filesize¶
Defines the maximum size of a single file uploaded through PHP.
Example:
means approximately 64 MB per file.
If you try to upload a file larger than the configured value, the upload may fail.
post_max_size¶
Defines the maximum total size of data sent to the website using the POST method.
Example:
This parameter should be at least as large as:
For example:
is a valid configuration.
max_execution_time¶
Defines the maximum execution time of a PHP script in seconds.
Example:
means:
You may need to increase this value for:
- data imports,
- exports,
- updates,
- other long-running operations.
max_input_time¶
Defines the maximum amount of time PHP may spend processing input data.
Example:
In most cases, you do not need to change this value unless the application requires it.
max_input_vars¶
Defines the maximum number of variables that can be submitted to PHP.
Example:
or:
This setting may be relevant for:
- complex forms,
- large WordPress menus,
- configuration panels with many fields.
If some form settings are not saved correctly, this limit may be the cause.
5. Example settings¶
For a typical website or WordPress installation, you may encounter values such as:
memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300
max_input_vars = 3000
This is only an example.
It does not mean that every website should use exactly these values.
6. Editor Mode¶
MultiPHP INI Editor may also provide:
Editor Mode
This allows you to edit the PHP configuration manually.
Example:
If you are not sure what you are doing, it is better to use:
Basic Mode
Incorrect manual settings may cause problems with the website.
7. After changing the settings¶
After saving the changes:
- open the website,
- repeat the action that previously caused the problem,
- check whether everything works correctly.
Example:
If you previously could not upload a 50 MB file and increased:
try uploading the file again.
8. Higher values are not always better¶
Do not set very high values without a reason.
For example:
does not automatically make the website faster.
Very high limits may allow a faulty script to consume too many server resources.
Increase parameters only when the application actually requires it.
9. Simplest procedure¶
To change a PHP parameter:
- Log in to cPanel.
- Go to:
Software → MultiPHP INI Editor
- Select the domain.
- Stay in Basic Mode.
- Change the required parameter.
- Click Apply.
- Check the website.
Done.
If you do not know what value to use, contact the website administrator, developer, or Cloud4You technical support.