How to Fix WordPress Memory Exhausted Error

Encountering a “memory exhausted” error in WordPress can be quite frustrating. This error usually happens when your site exceeds the PHP memory limit set by your hosting provider. It often occurs when running large plugins, themes, or during complex tasks like updates. Fortunately, increasing the memory limit or troubleshooting the issue can quickly resolve the problem. Let’s dive into the most common causes for WordPress Memory Exhausted Error and solutions.

Common Causes of WordPress Memory Exhausted Error

1. Low PHP Memory Limit
   WordPress sites are allocated a specific amount of memory to run. If this limit is too low, you’ll encounter memory exhaustion errors.
2. Heavy Plugins and Themes
   Plugins or themes that use a lot of resources can exceed the available memory limit, causing this error.
3. Running Multiple Processes
   Tasks like running large updates, importing content, or heavy queries can push WordPress to its memory limits.
4. Outdated WordPress Version
   Running an outdated version of WordPress, plugins, or themes can lead to compatibility issues that affect memory consumption.

How to Fix the WordPress Memory Exhausted Error

1. Increase PHP Memory Limit
   • Open your wp-config.php file and add the following line above the /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ line:
     define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

   • This will increase your memory limit to 256MB. You can adjust the value based on your needs.
2. Deactivate Unnecessary Plugins
   • Disable plugins that you don’t need or use lightweight alternatives.
   • Test your site by deactivating all plugins and reactivating them one by one to identify the memory hogs.
3. Switch to a Lighter Theme
   • Heavy themes with complex features can consume significant memory. Switch to a lighter theme like GeneratePress or Astra to reduce memory usage.
4. Upgrade Your Hosting Plan
   • If your current hosting plan doesn’t offer sufficient memory resources, consider upgrading. Kinsta and Pressable are excellent managed WordPress hosts that provide more memory for demanding sites.
5. Update WordPress and Plugins
   • Ensure that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are all updated to their latest versions. Compatibility improvements in newer versions can prevent memory-related issues.

Conclusion

The WordPress memory exhausted error is often caused by a low PHP memory limit or resource-heavy plugins and themes. By increasing the memory limit, disabling unnecessary plugins, and upgrading your hosting plan, you can quickly resolve this issue and keep your site running smoothly.