PHP max input vars is simply the number of variables your server is set to handle in each function. If you receive the error ‘Increase PHP Max Input Vars Limit’ in WordPress, you need to add the code ‘php_value max_input_vars 3000’ to your .htaccess file. We explain how to do this and other methods below.
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What is the PHP Input Vars?
Before we talk about methods to increase PHP Max Input Vars in WordPress, let us explain what exactly is PHP Input Vars?
PHP input Vars is the number of variables your server can use to run a function. This value is set to 3000 for updated and modern WordPress themes.
As you probably know by now, if the value of PHP input vars is not enough, you will get the Max Input Vars error.
This error can cause a lot of issues. For example, you may lose all of your data or the template you are using may lose its functionality. In addition, the activated widgets on your website may disappear.
There are many different methods to increase the PHP Max Input Vars in WordPress. However, it totally depends on the hosting provider you are using.
In this article, we are going to discuss all the possibilities in cPanel. If you are using another hosting panel, the interface may be different. However, the methods are still the same.
Keep in mind, you may not have certain permissions to increase the PHP max input vars limitation. Therefore, contact your hosting provider beforehand and ask them to give you the required permissions.
How to Increase PHP Max Input Vars Limit?
You can increase the PHP Max Input Vars Limit by adding lines to the .htaccess file, php.ini or wp-config.php. Here we explain all these methods.
Edit the .htaccess File
The first method to increase Max input var limitation is by editing the .htaccess file. Before you make any changes to the file, make sure you get a backup of it.
Usually, this file is in the root directory of your host. If you can’t locate it, it could be because most hosting providers hide the (.) files. Therefore, look for the Show Hidden Files option in your configuration and enable it.
Open the .htaccess file in an editor and add the following code to it:
php_value max_input_vars 3000``or if you are using Suhosin, add the following to the file:
php_value suhosin.request.max_vars 3000
php_value suhosin.post.max_vars 3000
The recommended value is 3000 for PHP input vars. In case you need more; you could always increase it to match your needs.
Edit the PHP.ini file
The next method to increase the PHP max input vars limit in WordPress is through editing the php.ini file. This file is also in the root directory of your host where you have installed WordPress. If you can’t find it, simply, create a php.ini file.
In either case, open the file in an editor and add the following code to it:
max_input_vars = 3000``Don’t forget to save the changes and reboot your server once, to use the newly added data.
Edit the wp-config.php File
This method also requires you to log in to your hosting panel or FTP. Go to File Manager and look for the wp-config.php file. Open the file in an editor and add the following code to it:
@ini_set( ‘max_input_vars’ , 3000 );``Finally, save the changes.
You can replace 3000 with any value you require. However, we recommend 3000 or above, if you use any value below 3000, it could cause the Max Input Vars error.
How to Increase the Max Input Vars Limit in PHP5?
If you are using a host that still uses PHP5 like GoDaddy or Bluehost, you need to edit php5.ini and user.ini files.
So, if you are using a host that still uses PHP5, you need to create the files mentioned above in the host. After creating them, copy and paste the following code to both:
max_input_vars = 3000
suhosin.get.max_vars = 3000
suhosin.post.max_vars = 3000
suhosin.request.max_vars = 3000
Again, you can replace 3000 with the value your website needs.
Possible Server-Side Issues
If you tried each of the methods above and still getting the max input vars error, you need to contact the hosting provider and ask them to fix the issue for you.
There could be a copy of the php.ini file in the host and that could confuse your host. Thus, look for the file and delete it.
In this article, we discussed every possible method to increase th PHP max input vars limit in WordPress. Keep in mind, follow the steps above if only you are familiar with working with server files. Otherwise, contact your hosting provider and ask them to help you.