How to change cPanel PHP max upload size via WHM?

What is the cPanel PHP Max Upload Size?

The cPanel PHP max upload size setting controls the maximum file size that users can upload through cPanel's built-in PHP applications (such as File Manager uploads, phpMyAdmin imports, and cPanel-provided web interfaces). This is separate from the PHP settings in individual accounts' php.ini files — it applies specifically to the PHP processes that cPanel itself uses.

Steps to Change the Upload Size

1. Log in to WHM as the root user.
2. Navigate to Home » Server Configuration » Tweak Settings.
3. In the search box at the top, type upload to filter the options.
4. Under the PHP tab, locate cPanel PHP max upload size.
5. Enter the desired value in megabytes (MB). For example, type 128 to allow uploads up to 128 MB.
6. Click Save at the bottom of the page.

The change takes effect immediately — no service restart is required.

Important Notes

• This setting only affects cPanel's internal PHP processes (File Manager, phpMyAdmin in cPanel, Webmail, etc.). It does not change the upload_max_filesize or post_max_size for individual websites.
• To change upload limits for a user's website, edit the PHP configuration for that account via MultiPHP Manager or a custom .user.ini / php.ini file.
• Be mindful of your server's available resources. Allowing very large uploads on a shared server can lead to disk space and memory issues.
• The default value is typically 512 MB in recent WHM versions, but it may vary depending on your configuration.

Troubleshooting

• Uploads still fail at a lower size: Check the account-level PHP settings. The cPanel max upload size sets a ceiling for cPanel's own interfaces, but each website has its own upload_max_filesize and post_max_size directives in its PHP configuration.
• phpMyAdmin import times out: A large upload size alone may not be enough — you may also need to adjust PHP's max_execution_time and memory_limit for the cPanel PHP process. These can be set in Home » Service Configuration » PHP Configuration Editor.
• Can't find the option: Use the Tweak Settings search bar and type upload. The setting is under the PHP tab.

For official documentation, see the cPanel Tweak Settings guide.