How to Solve 413 Request Entity Too Large Error?

You’re trying to upload an important file to your website or application, and just when you think it’s about to go through, you hit a brick wall—”413 Request Entity Too Large.” Frustrating, right? This cryptic message can feel like a digital roadblock, especially if you’re not sure what it means or how to fix it. But don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many of us have encountered errors, and fortunately, it’s usually straightforward to resolve once you know what steps to take.

Let’s break down what this error is all about, why it happens, and how you can quickly get things back on track.

What does 413 Error Mean?

413 Error, which you can encounter while browsing the web or uploading content, indicates that the server has limited the size of the file you’re attempting to upload. It is a protective measure to prevent the server from being overloaded by an excessively big request.

The error message can vary depending on the server and client requirements, however, the following are some common ways it may appear:

• Error 413
• HTTP Error 413
• HTTP Code: 413
• Request Entity Too Large
• 413. That’s an error.

All of these variations indicate the same problem: the size of the file or data payload is the reason the server denied your request. 

Causes of 413 Error Request Entity too Large

• Insufficient Server Resources
• Incorrect File Permissions
• Large Amount of Data
• Server Configuration Limits
• Incorrect Client Configurations
• Misconfigured Web Applications

How to Fix the 413 Request Entity Too Large Error?

To fix 413 Request Entity Too Large Error, follow the steps

Modify the file. htaccess.

You can adjust the file upload size limit in WordPress by editing the. htaccess file. This WordPress core file contains your web server configurations, such as authorization, caching, and optimization.

Here’s how to do it:

• Use a File Manager or FTP client to access your WordPress root directory.
• To edit, double-click the. htaccess file.
• Include the following code snippet below the # END WordPress line:

php_value upload_max_filesize 64Mphp_value post_max_size 64Mphp_value max_execution_time 300php_value max_input_time 300

• Changing the maximum time for parsing input data (max_input_time), similar to the maximum execution time, helps ensure that long-running uploads and data processing tasks do not time out.
• Save those changes and see whether they fix the problem.

Upload the File Manually through FTP

Uploading the file via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) can be an effective method. Here’s how.

• First, you will need your server IP, username, password, and port number so you can transmit files later.
• Next, select an FTP client based on your requirements. Cyberduck, WinSCP, and FileZilla are popular choices.
• Enter the FTP server IP, username, password, and port number you already know when you launch your FTP client.
• To connect to an FTP server, click the “Connect” or “Quick Connect” button. If you enter the correct credentials, the FTP client will connect to the server hosting your website.
• Once connected, the FTP client displays the directories and files on your server. Go to the folder where the file is to be uploaded. This could refer to the root directory or a single folder.
• Place the file from your PC into the FTP client’s remote server directory by dragging and dropping it. The file transfer will start.
• Access your website and see if the uploaded file works as intended.
• Change Your File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions might cause a 413 error. To check and correct these permissions:

• Connect to your WordPress site with an FTP client. 
• Navigate to the root folder, which contains all your WordPress files.
• Right-click the public_html directory and choose File Attributes.

• Enter 755 in the Numeric value field. This value only allows the owner to view, write, and execute the file.

• Click OK after selecting Apply to directories only.

• After updating the directory permissions, repeat steps 2 and 3. This time, type 644 into the Numeric value area and select Apply to files only. The 640 or 644 value enables the owner to read and write while others can only read.
• After applying the right permissions, try reaccessing your website to see if the permission error remains.

Edit your WordPress functions.php file

WordPress’s `functions.php` file is an effective tool for modifying the functionality of your website. You can fix the “413 Request Entity Too Large Error” by raising the maximum file upload size with a few lines of code. This is how you do it:

• Make an SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) connection to your website. Your hosting account’s control panel contains your SFTP credentials.
• Go to the WordPress installation’s root directory. This is commonly known as ‘www’, ‘public_html’, or something similar.
• Locate the ‘functions.php’ file in your theme’s folder. If you use a child theme, update the ‘functions.php’ file.
• Add the following code at the end of the file

• This code seeks to enhance your website’s maximum upload size and execution time. You can modify the code to meet your requirements if you require a bigger maximum upload size.
• Save the changes

Contact the Hosting Provider

If changing the settings doesn’t solve the problem, contact your hosting provider. Explain the 413 Request Entity Too Large Error message and request assistance with increasing the upload limit. They can provide advice or make changes on their end to resolve the issue and accommodate greater file sizes.

Conclusion

With a bit of understanding and a few tweaks to your server or application settings, you can overcome this 413 Request Entity Too Large Error and keep your uploads flowing smoothly. Remember, it’s all about ensuring that your server and applications are configured to handle the data you need to process.