How to set the PHP maximum upload file size in an .htaccess file?
To increase the maximum file upload size for PHP scripts, you can modify your `.htaccess` file. This method is commonly used in shared hosting environments where you don’t have access to the main `php.ini` configuration file. Here’s how to set the PHP maximum upload file size using `.htaccess`:
#### Step 1: Access Your .htaccess File
1. **Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel**:
- Open your web browser and access your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).
2. **Open File Manager**:
- In the cPanel dashboard, navigate to "File Manager" under the "Files" section.
3. **Locate Your .htaccess File**:
- Go to the root directory of your website (e.g., `public_html`).
- Look for the `.htaccess` file. If it’s not visible, enable the option to view hidden files.
4. **Edit the .htaccess File**:
- Right-click on the `.htaccess` file and select "Edit" or "Code Editor" to make changes.
#### Step 2: Add PHP Configuration Directives
1. **Insert Upload Size Configuration**:
- Add the following lines to your `.htaccess` file to set the maximum upload file size and other related settings:
```apache
# BEGIN PHP Configuration
php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
php_value post_max_size 64M
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300
# END PHP Configuration
```
- **`upload_max_filesize`**: Sets the maximum file size for uploads. Adjust `64M` to the desired size (e.g., `128M` for 128 megabytes).
- **`post_max_size`**: Sets the maximum size of POST data, which should be larger than `upload_max_filesize`. Ensure it matches or exceeds the upload size.
- **`max_execution_time`**: Sets the maximum time in seconds a script is allowed to run. Increase this if large uploads take longer.
- **`max_input_time`**: Sets the maximum time in seconds a script is allowed to parse input data.
2. **Save Changes**:
- Click the "Save Changes" button to apply the new settings.
#### Step 3: Verify the Configuration
1. **Check PHP Info**:
- Create a `phpinfo()` file to verify the new settings:
```php
<?php
phpinfo();
?>
```
- Upload this file to your web server and access it via your browser (e.g., `http://yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php`).
- Look for the `upload_max_filesize` and `post_max_size` values to confirm that they reflect the new settings.
2. **Test File Uploads**:
- Try uploading a file that matches or exceeds the previous limit to ensure the new maximum upload size is in effect.
### Additional Tips
- **Check Hosting Restrictions**:
- Some hosting providers may restrict changes to PHP settings via `.htaccess`. If you encounter issues, contact your hosting provider for assistance.
- **Backup Your .htaccess File**:
- Before making changes, it’s a good idea to back up your `.htaccess` file to avoid potential issues.
- **Review Documentation**:
- Consult your hosting provider’s documentation for any specific requirements or limitations regarding `.htaccess` file configurations.
By following these steps, you can effectively set the maximum upload file size in your PHP configuration using the `.htaccess` file, allowing you to handle larger file uploads on your website.
