PHP Fatal error: Allowed memory size exhausted - Rocketeers app

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PHP Fatal error: Allowed memory size exhausted
==============================================

### [\#PHP](https://rocketeersapp.com/knowledge/php)

This fatal error means a PHP script tried to use more memory than the configured limit. Raise the limit, but first ask why the script needs that much.

 Published by [Mark van Eijk](https://rocketeersapp.com/author/mark-van-eijk) on June 23, 2026 · 1 minute read

1. [About the error](#content-about-the-error)
2. [Why do I see this error](#content-why-do-i-see-this-error)
3. [Solution](#content-solution)

[\#](#content-about-the-error "Permalink")About the error
---------------------------------------------------------

The full message looks like this:

 ```
PHP Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 20480 bytes)

```

The number `134217728` is the limit in bytes, in this case 128 MB. PHP refused to give the script any more memory and stopped it. Because it is a fatal error, it usually surfaces as a blank page or a [500 error](/500-internal-server-error-laravel) in the browser.

[\#](#content-why-do-i-see-this-error "Permalink")Why do I see this error
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHP caps how much memory a single script may use through the `memory_limit` setting. A script hits that cap for one of two reasons:

- It genuinely needs more, for example exporting a large dataset or processing a big file.
- It has a problem: loading thousands of Eloquent models at once, an accidental infinite loop, or building a huge array in memory.

The amount it "tried to allocate" is a hint. A tiny allocation (like 20 KB above) failing means the script was already sitting right at the limit.

[\#](#content-solution "Permalink")Solution
-------------------------------------------

To raise the limit globally, edit `memory_limit` in your `php.ini`:

 ```
memory_limit = 256M

```

For a single CLI command without touching config:

 ```
php -d memory_limit=512M artisan some:command

```

And to set it from inside a script at runtime (use sparingly):

 ```
ini_set('memory_limit', '512M');

```

After editing `php.ini`, reload PHP-FPM so the change takes effect:

 ```
systemctl reload php8.3-fpm

```

Before you reach for a bigger number, check whether the code is the real culprit. In Laravel, the classic cause is loading everything at once:

 ```
// Loads every row into memory at once
$users = User::all();

// Streams rows in small batches instead
User::chunk(500, function ($users) {
    // ...
});

```

Use `chunk()`, `cursor()`, or `lazy()` for large result sets. Setting `memory_limit = -1` (unlimited) hides the problem and risks taking the whole server down, so avoid it in production.

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