As a passionate WordPress user, I know how important it is to keep our websites running smoothly. However, sometimes we face issues that can be quite frustrating. One such issue is the WordPress Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the process of understanding and fixing this common error.

Let’s dive right in!

Understanding Memory Allocation in WordPress

Before we get to the solutions, it’s essential to understand how memory allocation works in WordPress.

PHP Memory Limit

The PHP memory limit is the maximum amount of memory a PHP script is allowed to consume. This limit is crucial because it ensures that your website doesn’t consume more resources than necessary. By default, the PHP memory limit can range from 64MB to 128MB, depending on your server configuration.

WordPress Memory Limit

Now, you might be wondering what the difference is between the PHP memory limit and the WordPress memory limit.

While the PHP memory limit sets a cap on memory usage for all PHP scripts, the WordPress memory limit is specifically for WordPress processes.

By default, the WordPress memory limit is usually lower than the PHP memory limit, so it’s essential to set a proper limit to avoid issues like the dreaded WordPress Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted.

Causes of WordPress Memory Size Exhausted Errors

There are several reasons why you might encounter a memory size exhausted error. Let’s take a look at some common causes:

Inadequate PHP and WordPress Memory Limits

As mentioned earlier, the default memory limits for PHP and WordPress can be quite low, especially if you’re running a resource-intensive website. This can cause issues when your site tries to perform tasks that require more memory than the limit allows.

Resource-Intensive Plugins and Themes

Some plugins and themes can consume a lot of memory, especially if they’re not optimized for performance. Identifying these problematic plugins and themes is crucial to resolving memory issues.

Large Media Files and Database Queries

Memory errors can also occur due to large media files or complex and inefficient database queries. These issues can cause your website to consume more memory than necessary, leading to the dreaded error message.

Fixing the Error by Increasing Memory Limit

A common solution to the WordPress Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted issue is to increase the memory limit. There are several ways to do this, so let’s explore each one:

Editing the wp-config.php File

The wp-config.php file is a core WordPress configuration file that can be used to increase the memory limit. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Access your website’s files using an FTP client or your hosting provider’s File Manager.
  2. Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
  3. Add the following line of code: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); (Feel free to adjust the value as needed)

Editing the php.ini File

If increasing the memory limit in the wp-config.php file doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try editing the php.ini file. Here’s how:

  1. Access your website’s files and locate the php.ini file (usually in the root directory or a subdirectory like etc or conf).
  2. Look for the line memory_limit = and increase the value (e.g., memory_limit = 256M;)

Editing the .htaccess File

Another way to increase the memory limit is by editing the .htaccess file. Follow these steps:

  1. Locate the .htaccess file in your website’s root directory.
  2. Add the following line of code: `php_value memory_limit 256M` (Again, feel free to adjust the value as needed)

After making these changes, refresh your website and check if the WordPress Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted issue has been resolved.

Optimize Plugins and Themes

Another approach to fixing memory issues is to optimize your plugins and themes.

Updating Plugins and Themes

Keeping your plugins and themes up-to-date is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help resolve memory issues.

Deactivating and Removing Unnecessary Plugins

Go through your list of installed plugins and identify any that are not essential to your website’s functionality. Deactivating and removing these unnecessary plugins can help reduce memory usage.

Choosing Lightweight and Well-Optimized Themes

When selecting a theme for your website, opt for one that is lightweight and well-optimized for performance. This can help minimize memory usage and prevent memory-related issues.

Image Optimization and Compression

Large media files can contribute to memory problems, so it’s essential to optimize and compress your images.

Benefits of Image Optimization

Optimizing your images not only reduces memory usage but also improves website performance and loading times.

Image Compression Tools and Plugins

There are several tools and plugins available for image compression, such as ShortPixel, Imagify, and TinyPNG. These tools can help you compress your images without compromising quality.

Optimizing Database Queries

Inefficient and complex database queries can also cause memory issues. Optimizing these queries is essential for improving performance and avoiding errors.

Identifying Problematic Queries

Use query monitoring plugins like Query Monitor to analyze your website’s database queries and identify problematic ones.

Reducing and Improving Database Queries

Once you’ve identified the problematic queries, consider the following techniques to reduce their number and improve efficiency:

  • Remove unnecessary or redundant queries.
  • Optimize your code for better performance.
  • Use caching to minimize database queries.

Preventing Future Memory Exhausted Errors

To avoid encountering the WordPress Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted issue in the future, follow these best practices:

Regularly Monitoring Memory Usage

Monitor your website’s memory usage regularly using tools and plugins like WP Memory Usage and New Relic.

Staying Informed About Best Practices

Stay up-to-date on WordPress best practices and optimization techniques by following reputable sources such as the WordPress.org Codex, WPBeginner, and WPMU DEV.

FAQ on WordPress fatal error allowed memory size exhausted

What causes the WordPress Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted?

This error occurs when your WordPress site tries to use more memory than the allocated limit. Common causes include inadequate PHP and WordPress memory limits, resource-intensive plugins and themes, large media files, and inefficient database queries.

How can I increase the PHP memory limit?

You can increase the PHP memory limit by editing your php.ini file. Locate the file, find the line that says memory_limit, and increase the value (e.g., memory_limit = 256M;).

Can I increase the WordPress memory limit in the wp-config.php file?

Yes, you can increase the WordPress memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file. Add the following line of code: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');. Adjust the value as needed.

Do plugins and themes affect memory usage?

Absolutely! Resource-intensive plugins and themes can consume a lot of memory, especially if they are not optimized for performance. It’s essential to identify problematic plugins and themes to resolve memory issues.

How can I find which plugins are causing high memory usage?

You can use a plugin like Query Monitor or P3 (Plugin Performance Profiler) to analyze your plugins’ performance and identify those consuming high memory.

What is the role of media files in memory size exhausted errors?

Large media files, especially unoptimized images, can consume significant memory and contribute to memory size exhausted errors. Optimize and compress your images to reduce memory usage and improve website performance.

How do I optimize my database queries to prevent memory issues?

Use query monitoring plugins to identify problematic queries. Then, remove unnecessary queries, optimize your code, and implement caching to minimize database queries and improve efficiency.

Can my hosting provider help with memory size exhausted errors?

Yes, your hosting provider might be able to help. They can increase the PHP memory limit or provide guidance on optimizing your website to reduce memory usage. Reach out to their support team for assistance.

How can I monitor memory usage on my WordPress site?

Use tools and plugins like WP Memory Usage and New Relic to regularly monitor your website’s memory usage and detect potential issues.

Are there any lightweight themes that won’t cause memory issues?

Yes, there are many lightweight and well-optimized themes available. Some popular examples include Astra, GeneratePress, and Neve. These themes are designed with performance in mind and are less likely to cause memory issues.

Ending thoughts on “WordPress fatal error allowed memory size exhausted”

In this article, we’ve explored the causes of the WordPress Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted issue and discussed various solutions to fix it.

By following these best practices and keeping your website optimized, you can prevent memory issues and ensure a smooth WordPress experience for yourself and your visitors.

If you liked this article about WordPress fatal error allowed memory size exhausted, you should check out this article about WordPress theme installation error.

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