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PHP file upload exceeds upload\_max\_filesize
=============================================

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

When a file upload silently fails or is empty, PHP itself is usually rejecting it because it is larger than upload\_max\_filesize or post\_max\_size. This is the PHP-side companion to the nginx 413 error.

 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)
4. [Don't forget the layers in front of PHP](#content-dont-forget-the-layers-in-front-of-php)

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

Unlike most errors, this one is quiet. The upload just doesn't arrive, `$_FILES` is empty, or you see `UPLOAD_ERR_INI_SIZE` in the file's `error` key. PHP discarded the file before your code ever ran.

This is distinct from, but often confused with, the [413 Request Entity Too Large](/413-request-entity-too-large) error. That one is nginx rejecting the request before it reaches PHP. If you've already raised nginx's `client_max_body_size` and uploads still fail, PHP's own limits are the next place to look.

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

Two PHP settings cap upload size, and the *lower* of the two wins:

- `upload_max_filesize`, the maximum size of a single uploaded file.
- `post_max_size`, the maximum size of the entire POST body (which must be larger than `upload_max_filesize`, with room for other fields).

If either is smaller than the file, PHP drops it.

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

Raise both values in your `php.ini`. `post_max_size` should be a bit larger than `upload_max_filesize`:

 ```
upload_max_filesize = 100M
post_max_size = 110M

```

While you're there, check these related limits don't cut a large upload short:

 ```
max_file_uploads = 20
max_execution_time = 120
memory_limit = 256M

```

Reload PHP-FPM so the changes take effect:

 ```
systemctl reload php8.3-fpm

```

### [\#](#content-dont-forget-the-layers-in-front-of-php "Permalink")Don't forget the layers in front of PHP

A large upload has to pass through every layer to succeed. All of these must be big enough:

- **nginx**, via `client_max_body_size`, see [413 Request Entity Too Large](/413-request-entity-too-large).
- **PHP**, via `upload_max_filesize` and `post_max_size` above.
- **Your application's own validation**, for example a Laravel `max:` rule on the file.

Verify the active PHP values with:

 ```
php -i | grep -E 'upload_max_filesize|post_max_size'

```

Note that the CLI and the FPM SAPI can use different `php.ini` files, so check the FPM one (`/etc/php/8.3/fpm/php.ini`) for web uploads.

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