Recommended PHP Limits

To use WordPress themes, you must be running WordPress 5.7 or greater, PHP 7 or greater (you can use PHP 5.6 too but we recommend using PHP version 7.4 or above for greater performance and security), and MySQL 5.6 or greater. We have tested it on Windows, Mac, and Linux. 

Below is a list of items you should ensure your host can comply with.


Minimum PHP requirements

Many issues you may run into such as; white screen, demo content fails when importing, empty page content, skin not being saved and other similar issues are all related to low PHP configuration limits. The solution is to increase the PHP limits. You can do this on your own, or contact your web host and ask them to increase those limits to a minimum as follows:

max_execution_time 120
memory_limit 128M
post_max_size 64M
upload_max_filesize 64M
max_input_time 60
max_input_vars = 3000

Also consider upgrading your PHP version to the latest version, the newer the better.


How To Verify Your Current PHP Limits?

For the Kalium theme you can verify your PHP configuration limits on Kalium theme by just going to your WordPress dashboard > Laborator > System Status.

Alternative method: You can check your PHP configuration limits also by installing the WordPress phpinfo() plugin and then going to Settings > PHP Info. The first column refers to your installation value, and the second column refers to the limits of your host. The latter values are often lower if you have selected a cheaper hosting package.


Updating your PHP version

In most cases, you cannot update the PHP version yourself and need to contact your host about this. The upgrade process is an easy process and should be something your host can do for you without impacting your website or charging you a fee. Here’s a letter you can send to your hosting company:

Dear host,
I’m running a Wordpress theme on one of your servers and that theme has recommended using at least PHP 7.2 or higher. WordPress, the content management system that my theme uses, has listed PHP 7.4 as the recommended version on their requirements page: https://wordpress.org/about/requirements/

Can you please let me know if my hosting supports PHP 7.2 or higher and how I can upgrade?

Also please increase those limits to a minimum as follows:

max_execution_time 180
memory_limit 128M
post_max_size 64M
upload_max_filesize 64M
max_input_time 60
max_input_vars = 3000

Looking forward to your reply.

Please note though that many hosts will try to keep the PHP limits low without reason. However you are paying for it, and therefore should be getting your money's worth.