How to Increase Upload File Size in DirectAdmin

When managing websites on DirectAdmin, you may encounter limitations when uploading large files (e.g., images, backups, or application packages). These limits are controlled by your server’s PHP configuration. This guide explains how to increase the upload file size step-by-step.

Understanding Upload Limits in DirectAdmin

The upload size is mainly controlled by three PHP settings:

  • upload_max_filesize → Maximum size of a single uploaded file

  • post_max_size → Maximum size of all data in a POST request

  • memory_limit → Maximum memory a script can use

Important:
post_max_size must be greater than or equal to upload_max_filesize.

Method 1: Using Select PHP Version (Recommended)

This is the easiest method if your hosting uses PHP Selector.

Steps:

  1. Log in to your DirectAdmin control panel

  2. Navigate to:
    👉 Select PHP Version

  3. Click on:
    👉 Options

  4. Locate and modify the following:

    • upload_max_filesize (e.g., 64M, 128M, 256M)

    • post_max_size (slightly higher than upload size)

    • memory_limit (e.g., 256M or higher)

  5. Click Save

Method 2: Using .user.ini File

If PHP Selector is not available:

Steps:

  1. Go to File Manager

2. Open your domain’s root directory:

/domains/yourdomain.com/public_html/

3. Locate or create a file named:

.user.ini

4. Add or update:

upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M
memory_limit = 512M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300

5. Save the file

Changes may take a few minutes to apply.

Method 3: Using .htaccess (For Apache Servers)

If your server uses Apache:

  1. Open .htaccess in your public_html folder

  2. Add:

php_value upload_max_filesize 128M
php_value post_max_size 128M
php_value memory_limit 256M
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300

  1. Save changes

Method 4: Editing php.ini (Advanced / VPS & Dedicated Servers)

If you have root access:

  1. Locate your php.ini file

  2. Update:

upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M
memory_limit = 256M

  1. Restart web server:

    • Apache:

systemctl restart httpd

    • Nginx:

systemctl restart nginx

Common Issues & Fixes

Changes not reflecting

  • Clear browser cache

  • Restart PHP (if VPS)

  • Wait a few minutes for .user.ini

Upload still fails

Check:

  • post_max_size is not smaller than upload_max_filesize

  • Server firewall or ModSecurity rules

  • Disk space availability

Hosting limitations

Some shared hosting providers restrict:

  • Maximum upload size

  • PHP configuration changes

In this case, contact your hosting provider to increase limits.

Recommended Settings

For most applications:

upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M
memory_limit = 256M
max_execution_time = 300

For large apps (e.g., backups, Next.js builds):

upload_max_filesize = 512M
post_max_size = 512M
memory_limit = 512M

Increasing upload file size in DirectAdmin is straightforward once you understand where PHP settings are controlled. The Select PHP Version method is the easiest, while .user.ini and .htaccess provide flexible alternatives.