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Raise the upload size limit in DirectAdmin File Manager

File Manager can refuse big files. This guide explains why and how to raise the limit if you have the right access.

DirectAdmin2 min read7 steps2 screenshots

Why is there a limit?

A server sets a maximum size for each upload. This protects the server from files that are too big. It is like a lift with a weight limit. If your file is too heavy, the upload fails.

The limit comes from PHP settings and from the web server. PHP is the programming language that runs the File Manager page.

Changing it may need root access. Root is the main owner account on a server. VPS and dedicated server customers have it. On shared hosting, you do not. In that case, open a support ticket and ask Hostvento to help.

Easy ways around the limit

  • Compress the files into a .zip file. Upload it, then extract it in File Manager.
  • Use FTP. FTP is a way to send files with a program such as FileZilla. It has no tight size limit.
  • Upload several small files, not one big one.

Steps for server owners (root access needed)

Warning: You will edit a system file. Copy it first so you can undo your change.
  1. Connect to your server with SSH.
    Screenshot: Connect to your server with SSH.
  2. Find your PHP configuration file. It is often named php.ini. The path depends on your PHP version. A common place on DirectAdmin servers is under /usr/local/php, in a folder named after the version, then lib.
  3. Make a copy:
cp php.ini php.ini.backup

This saves a spare copy named php.ini.backup.

  1. Open the file in an editor such as nano.
  2. Find these two lines and set bigger values:
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M

The first sets the biggest single file. The second sets the biggest total of an upload. Keep post_max_size equal to or bigger than the first. The letter M means megabytes.

  1. Save the file.
  2. Restart the web server so the change takes effect. The command depends on your setup, for example systemctl restart httpd or systemctl restart apache2.

Some versions of File Manager also have their own limit. If it still fails, ask support.

Quick recap

  • Servers limit upload size to stay safe.
    Screenshot: Servers limit upload size to stay safe.
  • Zip big files, or use FTP.
  • With root access, raise upload_max_filesize and post_max_size in php.ini.
  • Restart the web server afterwards.
  • On shared hosting, ask support.