How to Increase WordPress Memory Limit Safely

How to Increase WordPress Memory Limit Safely

A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Better Performance

If your WordPress website feels slow, crashes unexpectedly, or shows errors like “Allowed memory size exhausted”, you’re not alone. Many WordPress users—especially beginners—run into performance problems simply because their site does not have enough memory allocated.

This guide explains, in a clear and educational way, para aumentar o limite de memória do WordPress, why memory limits matter, and how to increase them safely without breaking your website. You don’t need advanced technical knowledge to understand or apply these concepts.

Whether you run a blog, a business website, or a cross-border eCommerce store, understanding WordPress memory usage is essential for long-term stability and growth.

What Is the WordPress Memory Limit?

How to Increase WordPress Memory Limit Safely-What Is the WordPress Memory Limit?

The WordPress memory limit defines how much server RAM PHP is allowed to use when running your website. WordPress itself, themes, plugins, and background processes all consume memory.

If the allocated memory is too low, WordPress may fail to load certain features or crash entirely.

Common default memory limits include:

  • 32MB or 64MB on basic shared hosting
  • 128MB on mid-range hosting plans
  • 256MB or higher for professional or eCommerce websites

Modern WordPress sites—especially those using page builders, WooCommerce, multilingual plugins, or heavy themes—often need more memory than the default allocation.

Why Increasing WordPress Memory Matters

Understanding para aumentar o limite de memória do WordPress is not just about fixing errors—it’s about improving overall website health.

Here’s why memory limits are important:

1. Prevents Critical Errors

Low memory often triggers fatal PHP errors that block access to your site or admin dashboard.

2. Improves Speed and Stability

Enough memory allows WordPress to process tasks smoothly, especially during traffic spikes.

3. Supports Advanced Features

Plugins like Elementor, WPML, WooCommerce, and security tools consume significant memory.

4. Enables Future Scalability

As your site grows, memory requirements increase. Planning ahead avoids repeated breakdowns.

Signs Your WordPress Memory Limit Is Too Low

Before increasing anything, it’s important to recognize the symptoms:

  • “Allowed memory size exhausted” error
  • White screen of death (WSOD)
  • Admin pages failing to load
  • Plugins failing to activate
  • Pages breaking after updates
  • Extremely slow backend performance

If you notice one or more of these issues, increasing the memory limit is often the first and safest step.

How to Check Your Current WordPress Memory Limit

You can verify your memory limit directly inside WordPress:

  1. Go to Tools → Site Health
  2. Open the Info tab
  3. Scroll to Server
  4. Look for PHP memory limit

This value shows how much memory WordPress is allowed to use at runtime.

Recommended WordPress Memory Limits

Depending on your website type, here are general guidelines:

  • Simple blog or landing page: 128MB
  • Business website: 128MB – 256MB
  • WooCommerce store: 256MB or more
  • Multilingual or high-traffic site: 256MB – 512MB

When discussing para aumentar o limite de memória do WordPress, it’s important to remember that more memory doesn’t automatically mean better performance—but insufficient memory almost always causes problems.

Method 1: Increase Memory via wp-config.php

How to Increase WordPress Memory Limit Safely-Increase Memory via wp-config.php

This is the most common and beginner-friendly method.

Steps:

  1. Connect to your site via FTP or file manager
  2. Open the wp-config.php file
  3. Add the following line above “That’s all, stop editing!”:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
define(‘WP_MAX_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

  1. Save the file and reload your website

This tells WordPress to request more memory from the server.

Method 2: Increase Memory via php.ini

If your hosting allows it, modifying php.ini gives more control.

Add or update:

memory_limit = 256M

This approach affects all PHP scripts on your hosting account, not just WordPress.

Method 3: Use .htaccess (Apache Servers)

For Apache servers, you can try adding this line to .htaccess:

php_value memory_limit 256M

⚠️ If your server does not support this directive, it may cause a 500 error. Always back up before editing.

Method 4: Increase Memory Through Hosting Control Panel

Many hosting providers allow you to change PHP settings directly:

  • cPanel → MultiPHP INI Editor
  • Plesk → PHP Settings
  • CloudPanel → PHP Configuration

This is often the safest way for beginners and avoids manual file editing.

What If Increasing Memory Doesn’t Work?

Sometimes, even after following all steps for para aumentar o limite de memória do WordPress, the limit doesn’t change.

Common reasons include:

  • Hosting plan restrictions
  • Server-level caps
  • Managed WordPress limitations
  • Incorrect PHP version settings

In such cases, upgrading your hosting plan or contacting support may be necessary.

Memory Limit vs Real Performance

It’s important to clarify a common misunderstanding:

Increasing memory does not fix poor code, bad plugins, or bloated themes.

Memory is only one piece of performance optimization. A well-built site uses memory efficiently, while a poorly designed site consumes excessive resources regardless of limits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When trying para aumentar o limite de memória do WordPress, avoid these errors:

  • Setting extremely high values without reason
  • Ignoring plugin conflicts
  • Using outdated PHP versions
  • Installing too many heavy plugins
  • Editing files without backups

Smart optimization always balances resources and structure.

When You Should Optimize Instead of Increasing Memory

Sometimes, the better solution is optimization, not expansion.

Consider optimization if:

  • Memory usage spikes suddenly
  • Only one plugin causes crashes
  • Backend feels slow even with high memory
  • Page builders overload the server

In these cases, cleaning plugins, improving structure, and redesigning layouts can outperform raw memory increases.

WordPress Memory and Cross-Border Websites

For international and cross-border websites, memory management becomes even more critical.

Features like:

  • Multi-language systems
  • Currency conversion
  • Geo-based content
  • Global payment gateways
  • CDN and caching layers

All increase memory consumption significantly.

A poorly structured site may work locally but fail under international traffic.

Best Practices for Long-Term Stability

To maintain a healthy WordPress site:

  • Use only necessary plugins
  • Choose lightweight, well-coded themes
  • Update PHP regularly
  • Monitor memory usage
  • Design scalable page structures

Understanding para aumentar o limite de memória do WordPress is the foundation—but smart architecture is what keeps your site running long-term.

Final Thoughts: Memory Is Strategy, Not Just a Number

Increasing the WordPress memory limit is one of the most common fixes for crashes and performance issues. But the real goal is stability, scalability, and clarity.

A properly designed WordPress website:

  • Uses memory efficiently
  • Avoids unnecessary complexity
  • Supports future growth
  • Performs reliably across regions

How AIRSANG Can Help

At AIRSANG, we specialize in cross-border website design and WordPress architecture, not just surface-level fixes.

We help brands:

  • Build stable WordPress foundations
  • Optimize memory usage from the start
  • Design scalable layouts for global traffic
  • Avoid hidden technical pitfalls
  • Create high-performance websites ready for international growth

If you’re struggling with WordPress performance, memory limits, or planning a cross-border website, we’re here to help you build it the right way—from structure to design.

AIRSANG believes a strong website starts with a solid foundation, not endless patches.

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AIRSANG delivers cost-effective website design, brand visual identity, and e-commerce solutions. From Shopify and WordPress to Amazon product images, we help global brands build, elevate, and grow their online business.

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