Raise the phpMyAdmin Upload Size Limit in WHM

Note: This guide needs root access, so it is for VPS and dedicated server owners. Shared hosting customers can ask support to do it.

What is the upload limit?

phpMyAdmin is a web tool for databases. You can import a database from a .sql file. But phpMyAdmin cannot take a file bigger than the limit set in PHP. PHP is the language that runs the tool. If your file is too big, you see an error about the file size.

WHM is the admin panel for the whole server. cPanel is the panel for one account. You use WHM to change the setting for everyone.

Steps in WHM

1. Log in to WHM as root.

   

2. In the search box on the left, type MultiPHP INI Editor and open it.
3. Choose the Basic Mode tab.
4. Pick the PHP version from the list.
5. Find upload_max_filesize. Set a bigger value, such as 128M.
6. Find post_max_size. Set it to the same value or a little more.
7. Find max_execution_time and raise it, for example to 300. This gives a big import more time.
8. Click Apply.

M stands for megabytes. Pick a size slightly bigger than your biggest file.

Check that it worked

1. Open phpMyAdmin and click the Import tab.
2. Look near Choose File. It shows "Maximum size".
3. The value should match your new limit.

Edit php.ini by hand

Another way is to edit the file directly over SSH. The path depends on your PHP version, for example:

/opt/cpanel/ea-php81/root/etc/php.ini

Add or change these lines, then save.

upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 300

Warning: Back up the file before editing. A typing mistake can break PHP for every site.

Quick recap

• The limit comes from PHP settings, not phpMyAdmin itself.

  

  

• Change upload_max_filesize and post_max_size in the MultiPHP INI Editor.
• Raise max_execution_time for long imports.
• Check the new size on the Import tab.
• You need root access, or ask Hostvento support.