You may ever get the error of ‘The link you followed has expired’ in WordPress. Apparently, this error does not provide much clues about what is actually wrong, that is why you find it a bit difficult to fix. In this page, we are going to share how to easily fix ‘The link you have followed has expired’ error in WordPress. Also, we are going to explain what causes this error and how to avoid it next time.
HOW TO FIX THE ERROR OF THE LINK YOU FOLLOWED HAS EXPIRED?
The easiest and quickest way to fix ‘The link you followed has expired’ error is by increasing PHP memory, file upload size, and execution time limits for your site. Apparently, there are multiple ways to do that. We are going to show you all of them, and you will be able to select the one which looks easier or the one which works on your hosting environment.
METHOD 1: INCREASING LIMITS IN FUNCTIONS PHP FILE
The first method to fix the error is by increasing limits in functions in the PHP file. Actually, This method is easier, however it has a downside. Your website is going to return back to the old limits if you change WordPress theme. If you are planning on changing your theme, so you are able to try one of the other two methods explained below.
- Please add the code below to your WordPress theme’s functions.php file.
@ini_set( ‘upload_max_size’ , ‘120M’ );
@ini_set( ‘post_max_size’, ‘120M’);
@ini_set( ‘max_execution_time’, ‘300’ );
You are able to increase the values in upload_max_size and post_max_size to be more than the file you are trying to upload.
- Also, you will need to increase the max_execution_time to the time you think it will bring for the file to upload. If you are unsure, so you are able to try doubling this value.
METHOD 2: INCREASING LIMITS IN HTACCESS FILE
If you do not want to add code to your theme’s functions file, now you are able to try the htaccess method. For this method, you have to edit the htaccess file by using an FTP client or the File Manager app in cPanel. To do that, you are able to follow these steps below:
- At the first step, you have to connect to your site by using FTP and edit the htaccess file.
- After that, you need to add the code below at the bottom of your htaccess file.
php_value upload_max_filesize 128M
php_value post_max_size 128M
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300
- The last step that you have to do is to save your changes and upload the file back to your site.
METHOD 3: INCREASING LIMITS IN PHP.INI FILE
You have to know that the php.ini file is a configuration file that is used by PHP and WordPress. In this method, you will need to connect to your WordPress site by using an FTP client and look for the php.ini file in your website’s root folder. Usually, most users are on a shared hosting account, so they may not discover it in their website’s root folder. Now, you have to make a blank php.ini file using a plain text editor and then upload it to your site.
- Now, you have to edit the php.ini file and add the code below inside it.
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 300
- After that, you are able to save your changes and upload the file back to your site.
- Now, you will be able to visit your site and try to upload the theme or plugin file. The error will disappear, and you are able to upload the file.
If it does not, you have to try to increase file limits to match the file size you are trying to upload.
Well, the text above is an explanation about the easy ways to fix ‘The link you followed has expired’ error in WordPress. We hope this article can help you to easily fix your problem.
WHAT CAUSES THE ERROR TO APPEAR?
WordPress hosting companies have a group of default settings which limit the size of a file you are able to upload via the WordPress admin dashboard. Therefore, if you try to upload a theme file which is bigger than the default limit, the error of ‘The link you followed has expired’ will appear. Easily, you are able to find out what the maximum allowed file size for upload is. To do that, you have to open the WordPress dashboard and then you are able to go to Media -> Add New. There is a note exactly under the Drop files field which lists the default WordPress file size limit to upload.
For your information, these default values vary according to what kind of hosting plan you have. The specialized WordPress hosting providers are able to set up to 128MB as the maximum upload size limit. But, with smaller, shared hosting packages the default limit is much lower. So, this restriction is able to prevent you from uploading more exacting themes and plugins. For those who have a proper upload limit on your hosting and installation, if the maximum execution time is limited and the value is too small, WordPress still cannot will not be able to upload larger and more demanding files. In those cases, you are going to receive a notice for ‘The link you followed has expired’ error.
Based on the research, in earlier WordPress versions (up to version 4.9.5) instead of ‘The link you followed has expired’ appearing, once you tried to upload a file which exceeded the limit. You are going to be asked to confirm whether you are sure to do that. Both come as highly vague notifications and make it difficult to quickly specify the cause of the error. Fortunately, you are able to troubleshoot the error by doing methods above.
AUTHOR BIO
On my daily job, I am a software engineer, programmer & computer technician. My passion is assembling PC hardware, studying Operating System and all things related to computers technology. I also love to make short films for YouTube as a producer. More at about me…
Leave a Reply