If you’re seeing this error either suddenly (no specific task was done to cause the error) or frequently, try deactivating all plugins to rule-out a plugin-specific issue and try switching themes to rule-out a theme-specific issue.
Otherwise, here are three ways to increase PHP’s memory allocation:
1. If you can edit or override the system php.ini file, increase the memory limit. For example, memory_limit = 256M
2. If you cannot edit or override the system php.ini file, add php_value memory_limit 256M to your .htaccess file.
3. If neither of these work, it’s time to ask your hosting provider to temporarily increase PHP’s memory allocation on your account. Keep in mind that most decent hosting providers allocate 32 MB to PHP under each account, and most decent hosting providers allow users to temporarily increase the memory allocation. If your hosting provider won’t accommodate you, perhaps it’s time to find a new hosting provider.
(in the above examples, the limit is set to 256MB)
The php.ini file is basically empty. Do I just put that line in there anywhere?
And where would I add the php_value memory_limit 256M in the .htaccess file? Top or bottom? Does it matter?
You’ll do either one or the other, not both.
If your php.ini file is empty, just add memory_limit = 256M to it. It’s probably set to override the system’s php.ini file.
If you do the .htaccess method, just add php_value memory_limit 256M to the very top.
Again, do only one, not both.
Okay, tried both of these and neither worked. I’ve got a message in to my host.
Any idea why this just appeared? I added a plugin and was working within it’s settings. When I refreshed this happened. Would it change if I could delete the plugin?
Probably the plugin just pushed you past PHP’s memory limit. If you don’t want to use that plugin, deleting it will almost definitely solve the problem. If you do want to use that plugin, getting PHP’s memory limit increased will work too.
