Tip: Checking WordPress for Low PHP Memory Limit
Some WordPress installs run out of available PHP memory because the memory limit is set too low.
This can cause random errors or white screens that show no error at all. This is a good troubleshooting checklist for any WordPress plugin that is acting strange.
Check the PHP Memory Limit:
Install this WordPress plugin to see the PHP Memory Limit and Memory Usage in the WordPress admin dashboard:
WP-Memory-Usage
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-memory-usage/
If the memory limit is 32M or less, try increasing it:
Memory usage is dynamic, meaning that when you are uploading images, the memory usage can easily double temporarily.
Try one of these methods for increasing the amount of memory a
PHP script may consume (most people just do #3)
1. If you have access to your PHP.ini file, edit the PHP.ini
If the memory_limit shows 32M or less, try increasing it:
memory_limit = 64M;
2. If you don’t have access to PHP.ini try adding this to an .htaccess file in the root directory of your site:
php_value memory_limit 64M
3. Try adding this line to your wp-config.php file:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M');
4. Talk to your web host about their recommended solution.
If your web host will not allow more than 32M memory limit,
I would get a different host.
My web host HostGator allows me 128M memory limit.
Three other common causes of WordPress problems:
Make sure your server is PHP5, not PHP4:
PHP5 is more secure and more reliable. PHP4 is discontinued and should not be used anymore. Ask your web host how to upgrade to PHP5. This may solve many problems with PHP scripts.
Maybe another plugin is conflicting:
Look on the Admin – Plugins – menu. Temporarily Disable (not uninstall) all your other plugins. Does it work now? If yes, Activate the plugins one by one to determine which one conflicts. Which ever plugin was causing it, deactivate and look for a solution. Possibly contact the plugin developer, maybe they can fix it.
It could be the theme you are using is causing it:
Do this as a test: In Admin, click on Appearance, Themes.
Temporarily change your theme to the “WordPress Default” theme, or “Twenty Ten” (default for WP 3.0).
It does not cause any harm to temporarily change the theme and change back. Does it work properly now?
If it does then the theme you are using is the cause. Possibly contact the plugin developer, maybe they can fix it.
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Be sure to select “Linux Web Hosting” when you start your hosting account. If your web site requires any interactive scripts like contact forms, blogs, forums, e-commerce, etc. then I very highly recommend “Linux Web Hosting” rather than “Windows Web Hosting” because I have fewer problems with it.
To start your web hosting account today, click here: HostGator Web Hosting … Mike
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Mike Challis
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Long Beach WA 98631
