“Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” Fatal Error in WordPress – Here’s How to Troubleshoot it

Optimizing your website’s performance requires regular updates of plugins and themes. However, encountering the troubling “maximum execution time exceeded” fatal error in WordPress can hinder these updates and raise concerns about your site’s functionality. Fortunately, there are effective methods available to address this issue and increase the maximum execution time. You can choose to uninstall problematic software, utilize plugins specifically designed for this purpose, or directly modify your website’s code. In this article, we will explore the causes behind the fatal error maximum execution time exceeded and provide six practical methods to resolve it. By implementing these solutions, you can ensure your website runs seamlessly, maintaining optimal performance.

What is the “Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” Fatal Error in WordPress

“Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” errors are one of the common WordPress errors that most website owners face. You encounter this when you are trying to update your WordPress themes or plugins. It alerts you that your website couldn’t perform the updates you requested. The underlying reason is the PHP script on your website. PHP is a scripting language that is the foundation of WordPress websites. It is made up of the code that controls how the website functions and displays different elements to the users. The maximum execution error directly relates to the time a PHP script takes to run. They have a maximum execution time, which is mostly set between 30-60 seconds, to keep your website secure and functional. The time may vary across hosting providers. When this error occurs, it just hits a particular process. Your website’s front end still works normally and performs all other tasks.

How to figure out that the error has occurred?

When the “Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” Fatal error hits your WordPress website, you see a notification in your dashboard. However, the wording may not be the same always. Sometimes, it may read as a ‘critical error’ or ‘fatal error’. Though the notification may not reference the maximum execution time, all the warnings share similar components that may alert you to the problem’s source. Sometimes, even the front users see this error. They might see a message saying that the website is facing technical difficulties. Or WordPress may send out an email to you, alerting that the maximum execution time has been exceeded. This is because of the WordPress 5.2 update, which introduced the PHP error protection that automatically notifies you when your website has issues with its plugins or themes.

Methods to troubleshoot the “Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” error

1. Uninstall the problem software 

This is one of the easiest ways to fix the “Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” error. There is a high chance that one of your website’s themes or plugins is the culprit, so you can begin here. It is recommended to use this method when you feel a specific application is causing the problem. For example, you may have added a new plugin recently or updated an old one. If you get locked out of your website because of the error, you can access the dashboard through Recovery Mode. If you have received an email about the failed updates, it will usually contain a link to Recovery Mode and may sometimes even tell you which plugin caused the problem. Then, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and click on ‘Deactivate’ under the relevant item followed by clicking on Delete to remove it. However, if you are uncertain about the cause of the error, deactivate all the plugins and reactivate them one by one. Keep refreshing each time and observe if you can find the one that caused the problem. You can use SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) to remove the plugin.

2. Increase the maximum execution time in .htacess 

You can adjust the maximum execution time in the .htaccess file. The file controls will change across your WordPress website’s different directories. (Most people prefer using this method when they don’t want to mess with their wp-config.php file and if their server does not support php.ini files) Before starting, it is recommended to create a backup of your .htacess file to stay worry-free even when you commit any major mistake. Simply make its copy and save it elsewhere on your computer. Then, use your chosen SFTP for editing the original .htaccess file. You can open it in your text editor and then enter the following code to change the maximum execution time: php_value max_execution_time 300 Herein, ‘300’ indicates the execution time in seconds. You can substitute 300 for any preferred number. Finally, save the changes and the file will apply them to your website. Apart from the above two methods, you can even use WP Maximum Time Exceeded plugin to increase the maximum execution time globally to 300 seconds while you have it activated. With it, you can give your functional themes and plugins more time to complete the updates.

Conclusion

You can effectively resolve the critical “Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” error in WordPress with the troubleshooting methods discussed above, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of your website. It is important to prioritize regular updates of plugins and themes while closely monitoring the maximum execution time for optimal performance. Also, explore the update failed WordPress Error & how to fix the same. So, leverage these valuable troubleshooting techniques alongside resources like Bluehost tutorials to easily navigate and resolve the “Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” error. Thus, providing a seamless browsing experience for both you and your website visitors, regardless of whether you are using Shared Hosting or specialized WordPress Hosting. Hope this article was insightful to you.