<p>I am no system admin expert, but depending on how PHP is compiled and running on the server (either as a module or CGI) will determine if you can use a php.ini file.</p>

<p>If the server is displaying an error message with the php.ini file, try adding <code>php_value upload_max_filesize 20M</code> to your .htaccess file.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T15:55:10.137Z
2015-10-07T15:55:10.137Z
Simon Leadbetter
<p>Checkout a few different log files to see if they can help out.</p>

<ol>
<li><code>craft/storage/logs/phperrors.log</code></li>
<li>If you're running apache, the apache log files</li>
<li>If you're running php on ngix or apache, the php log files</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T02:38:57.053Z
2015-10-07T02:38:57.053Z
Bryant
<p>My client's site is on name.com and in order to change the upload limit, I think i need to place a php.ini file in the web root. But Craft crashes when I add it. The site is fine when I remove it. Anyone know why?</p>

<p>They're uploading video and Craft is giving me the 8MB upload limit problem.</p>

<p>Changing the limit in the Craft config file isn't solving it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T02:59:44.460Z
What do you mean "crashes"? Do you get error messages? White screen? Anything in any files?
Brad Bell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T13:28:46.910Z
It's the gray screen, with the copy "Service Unavailable. Our site is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."
Brian Feeney
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T15:37:19.367Z
That usually just means that Craft is in maintenance mode and/or needs to be updated. What if you try to load the control panel?
Brad Bell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T16:09:42.407Z
Loading the control panel with the php.ini file in the root gives me this screen: "Error error

Craft requires the PDO extension to operate.

The above error occurred when the Web server was processing your request.

If you think this is a server error, please contact the webmaster.

Thank you."
Brian Feeney
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T17:31:31.873Z
Soo... looks like you need to install the PDO extension. https://secure.php.net/manual/en/book.pdo.php
Brad Bell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T17:32:06.897Z
No idea why that error would only show up when you add a php.ini file. I'd contact the host and let them know what you're seeing.
Brad Bell
<php><upload>
Adding php.ini file to root crashes site
# Adding php.ini file to root crashes site

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-07)

My client's site is on name.com and in order to change the upload limit, I think i need to place a php.ini file in the web root. But Craft crashes when I add it. The site is fine when I remove it. Anyone know why?

They're uploading video and Craft is giving me the 8MB upload limit problem.

Changing the limit in the Craft config file isn't solving it.

**Tags:** php, upload
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What do you mean "crashes"? Do you get error messages? White screen? Anything in any files?  
> **username_0**: It's the gray screen, with the copy "Service Unavailable. Our site is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."  
> **username_1**: That usually just means that Craft is in maintenance mode and/or needs to be updated. What if you try to load the control panel?  
> **username_0**: Loading the control panel with the php.ini file in the root gives me this screen: "Error error  Craft requires the PDO extension to operate.  The above error occurred when the Web server was processing your request.  If you think this is a server error, please contact the webmaster.  Thank you."  
> **username_1**: Soo... looks like you need to install the PDO extension. https://secure.php.net/manual/en/book.pdo.php  
> **username_1**: No idea why that error would only show up when you add a php.ini file. I'd contact the host and let them know what you're seeing.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-10-07. Score: 1

I am no system admin expert, but depending on how PHP is compiled and running on the server (either as a module or CGI) will determine if you can use a php.ini file.

If the server is displaying an error message with the php.ini file, try adding `php_value upload_max_filesize 20M` to your .htaccess file.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-10-07. Score: 1

Checkout a few different log files to see if they can help out.

1. `craft/storage/logs/phperrors.log`
2. If you're running apache, the apache log files
3. If you're running php on ngix or apache, the php log files


---

