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To change a PHP parameter on a supported Hostinger Web or Cloud website, open the website’s Dashboard in hPanel, go to PHP Configuration > PHP Options, edit the setting, and save. The value that takes effect cannot exceed your hosting plan’s limit, so check the result in PHP Info. These instructions do not apply to websites made with Hostinger AI Builder.

Change a PHP parameter in hPanel

  1. Sign in to hPanel, open Websites, and select Dashboard beside the website you want to update.

  2. Use the sidebar search to find PHP Configuration, then open it.

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  3. Select PHP Options.

  4. Find the parameter you need and enter or select its new value.

  5. Save the change. Then open the website’s PHP Info page and check the effective value.

Hostinger says the setting is limited by your plan: “You can only set values that are equal to or lower than your hosting plan’s limit.” If you enter a higher value, the plan maximum is used instead. See Hostinger’s instructions for changing PHP parameters and check your account’s plan details for its current ceilings.

Which PHP settings should you change?

For file-upload errors

upload_max_filesize sets the maximum size of an individual file PHP accepts. post_max_size caps the entire POST request, including uploaded files, so it should be larger than the maximum file size you intend to upload. If the POST limit is lower, raising only the per-file limit may not solve the problem. Check both effective values in PHP Info. Hostinger explains these settings in its PHP parameter guide.

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For memory or script timeouts

memory_limit caps the memory a PHP script may use. max_execution_time limits how long a script may run, while max_input_time controls how long PHP may spend parsing input data. Increase only the limit that addresses the actual problem. Setting limits unnecessarily high can slow a site, strain server resources, or affect other processes; persistent memory problems may point to inefficient code or a memory leak rather than a limit that needs to be raised. Hostinger recommends optimizing the site and matching limits to its needs.

For other configuration needs

PHP Options also includes settings such as max_input_vars, timezone, and disabled functions. The available options depend on the hosting environment and plan. Hostinger’s guide to PHP extensions and options also explains that extension availability depends on the website’s PHP version; save changes after editing. The page provides a reset option to restore defaults.

If the parameter is missing from PHP Options

Hostinger says some parameters that do not appear in PHP Options may be configurable through .htaccess. Before changing a value there, check the current plan limits and verify the result in PHP Info. Follow Hostinger’s instructions for editing PHP values via .htaccess; do not assume every PHP directive can be changed this way.

Can you edit php.ini directly?

Not on Hostinger Web or Cloud hosting. Hostinger states: “Due to the hosting environment architecture of Web and Cloud hosting plans, access to the php.ini file is disabled.” Use PHP Options or a supported .htaccess setting instead. Hostinger identifies VPS hosting as the option for users who require direct access to php.ini and its settings; that is a different hosting arrangement, not a prerequisite for ordinary parameter changes. Read Hostinger’s php.ini guidance.

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When a plan limit is the obstacle

Hostinger publishes plan-specific ceilings for PHP execution time, memory, POST size, and upload size. The limits differ among plans and can change, so there is no single maximum that applies to every account. Check the current details for your own plan in hPanel, and consult Hostinger’s hosting plan parameters and limits. If the website consistently needs more than its plan permits, compare plan limits; an upgrade is not required just to change a setting that fits within your current allowance. Hostinger notes that staying within account resources helps prevent errors such as 503 service-unavailable responses.

Important exception for AI Builder websites

Hostinger’s PHP-parameter and PHP-options instructions explicitly exclude websites created with Hostinger AI Builder. Do not assume the hPanel route above applies to an AI Builder site; consult the support guidance for that product.

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