This guide walks you through editing your php.ini settings using PHP Selector in your hosting control panel. You will learn how to change common values like memory_limit, upload_max_filesize, and max_execution_time without touching server files.
What you will need
- An active HOSTDOG hosting account
- Access to your hosting control panel (how to log in)
Common php.ini settings
Before making changes, here are the most commonly adjusted settings and what they control:
| Setting | Default | What it controls |
|---|---|---|
memory_limit |
256M | Maximum memory a single PHP script can use. Increase if you see "Allowed memory size exhausted" errors. |
upload_max_filesize |
50M | Maximum size for file uploads (e.g., media in WordPress, database imports). |
post_max_size |
50M | Maximum size for POST requests. Must be equal to or larger than upload_max_filesize. |
max_execution_time |
30 | Maximum time (seconds) a script can run. Increase for long imports or backups. |
max_input_vars |
1000 | Maximum number of form variables. Some WordPress themes and WooCommerce need 3000+. |
display_errors |
Off | Show PHP errors on screen. Enable temporarily for debugging, disable in production. |
Edit settings via PHP Selector
Navigate to the HOSTDOG homepage and click the Log in button in the top-right corner. From your client area, go to your hosting service and click Login to Control Panel.
In the Software section of your control panel, click Select PHP Version (PHP Selector). This is the same tool used to change your PHP version.
Click the Options tab (or PHP Options, depending on your panel version). This shows all configurable php.ini directives for your account.
Find the setting you want to modify and select or type the new value. For example, to allow larger file uploads, set upload_max_filesize to 128M and post_max_size to 128M.
upload_max_filesize, always increase post_max_size to at least the same value. post_max_size must be greater than or equal to upload_max_filesize, or uploads will silently fail.
Click Save at the bottom of the page. The changes take effect immediately — no server restart is required. Visit your website to confirm the new settings are active.
Alternative: Edit via .user.ini file
You can also create or edit a .user.ini file in your site's public_html/ directory. This file overrides php.ini values for that specific directory and its subdirectories:
memory_limit = 512M
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 120Changes made via .user.ini may take up to 5 minutes to take effect due to PHP's caching interval. Using PHP Selector (the method above) applies changes instantly.
Troubleshooting
If you edited .user.ini, wait 5 minutes for the PHP cache to refresh. If you used PHP Selector, the changes should be instant. In both cases, verify the active values by creating a phpinfo.php file (<?php phpinfo(); ?>) in your site root, visiting it in your browser, and searching for the setting you changed. Remember to delete this file afterwards.
Make sure both upload_max_filesize and post_max_size are set to the same value or higher. Some applications (like WordPress) also have their own upload limits — check Settings → Media in WordPress, or your application's settings panel.