Fixing the PHP Error: Allowed memory size of X bytes exhausted

The error message:

…indicates that your PHP script has tried to use more memory than the server's PHP configuration allows.

This typically occurs on resource-intensive sites (e.g., WordPress, Magento, large uploads, or image processing) and may affect specific scripts or even cause a white screen of death (WSOD).

If your site uses Apache (common with cPanel and DirectAdmin), you can increase the PHP memory limit by editing the .htaccess file.

• Open or create a .htaccess file in the root of your website (/public_html or /domains/example.com/public_html/)

• Add the following line:

• Save the file and reload your site.

Some servers restrict using php_value in .htaccess (especially on PHP-FPM setups). In such cases, use php.ini or .user.ini.

• Create or edit a php.ini file in your website root.

• Add:

• Create or edit .user.ini in your website root.

• Add:

• Save and wait a few minutes for the changes to apply (or restart PHP if you have control over the server).

• Go to Select PHP Version > Options (or "MultiPHP INI Editor").

• Locate memory_limit and increase it (e.g., 256M or higher).

• Save your changes.

• Navigate to User Level > Select PHP Version or PHP Settings.

• Find memory_limit, adjust it, and save.

If the issue persists even after increasing memory, the root cause might be:

• A faulty plugin/module (especially on WordPress, Joomla, or Magento)

• A script entering an infinite loop or handling too much data

• Recursive function calls with no exit condition

You can:

• Enable PHP error reporting/logging to see the specific file and line

• Disable non-essential plugins and test again

• Review /logs/error_log in cPanel/DirectAdmin or /var/log/php-fpm.log on custom servers

If none of the methods above solve the problem:

• Check your hosting plan’s maximum memory limit (some shared plans cap it)

• Open a support ticket 

• Consider upgrading to a plan with more resources (e.g., VPS or dedicated hosting)

Summary