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php.ini/user.ini: Not Taking Effect

A PHP initialization file is not always immediately recognized by shared hosting accounts' servers. Here are tips for making sure it does take effect.

1. Make sure you're using the correct type of PHP initialization file.
2. Understand your PHP initialization file's refresh rate:

   Filename	Refresh Rate
   php.ini	Only updates when a new PHP process is created, e.g. when a new visitor comes to your site. However, refreshing your own site you recently visited does not generate a new PHP process.
   .user.ini	By default, updates every 5 minutes

3. Try getting the server to recognize the updated file. Which process you use depends on your hosting account's operating system (more info).
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   Type of hosting	Process
   cPanel	End PHP processes
   Plesk	Recycle your application pool
   Web & Classic Linux	Manage system process (Linux)
   Web & Classic Windows	Recycle your application pool (Windows)
   Managed WordPress	Managed WordPress accounts currently cannot end their Web or PHP processes. Because of this, you cannot easily refresh your PHP settings if you use php.ini, which drives our recommendation to use .user.ini files.