How to Fix ‘The Link You Followed Has Expired’ WordPress Error in 5 Easy Ways?

So you found a new plugin or theme that you are excited to set up on your WordPress site.

But wait, what’s this?

The moment you click Upload, you hit a wall with the message, ‘The link you followed has expired’. Frustrating, right?

This pesky issue can disrupt your workflow, but don’t worry. You’re not alone, and there’s a way to fix it.

This error usually pops up when the file you’re trying to upload is too big for your server’s limits. Many WordPress users face this problem, but the solution is easier than you might think. By tweaking a few simple settings, you can increase your site’s limits and get things back on track.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to adjust these limits using different methods. Whether you’re comfortable with FTP and cPanel, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in and fix this issue so you can upload your files without any more headaches!

TL;DR: The ‘The link you followed has expired’ error in WordPress usually happens when uploading a theme or plugin that exceeds file size limits. You can fix it by increasing system size and time limits, updating your PHP version, or checking for plugin conflicts. Remember to always backup your site before making any changes to avoid potential issues.

But, before you start making changes, backup your site. This creates a safety net, and you’ll have something to fall back on if anything goes wrong.

Also try refreshing your page once. Sometimes, a simple refresh can do the trick. Try uploading the files after you have refreshed the page. If it works, well, congratulations! But if it doesn’t work, read on!

1. Increase limits in the wp-config.php file

Increasing the PHP memory limit can be the first step towards fixing ‘The link you followed has expired’ error. This involves editing the wp-config.php file and adding the following line of code to it:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

This line of code sets your PHP memory limit to 256 MB. Remember to add this code just before the line that says That’s all, stop editing!

Changing this limit allows WordPress to handle larger files better. You can use either FTP or cPanel to make these changes.

Using FTP

1. If you choose FTP, first connect to your site with an FTP client like FileZilla.

2. Navigate to the root folder of your WordPress site. It is usually named public_html or www.

3. Find the wp-config.php file and download it to your computer. Open the file in a text editor and add the line of code.

4. After you add the code, save the file and upload it back to the server using FTP. Replace the existing wp-config.php file when prompted.

Using cPanel

cPanel is a site administration tool used by many web hosts. But, if your web host does not use it, they will usually provide their own proprietary site administration tool. The steps mentioned below work for cPanel. But don’t worry, the steps for your web host’s own tool will be pretty similar.

1. Log in to your cPanel dashboard.

2. Go to the File Manager.

3. Locate the wp-config.php file in your root WordPress directory.

4. Right-click on the file and choose the Edit option.

5. Insert the same line of code mentioned earlier, and save the changes.

How does increasing limits affect your WordPress site?

Changing the limits on your WordPress site may seem like a no-brainer. After all, it is helping resolve WordPress issues like ‘the link you followed has expired’ and others. But it’s important to know that it comes with some risks.

Increasing limits can help upload larger files. But, it also affects your site’s performance in other ways.

Web hosts set these limits to protect your site and server. Raising them too much can lead to higher memory usage, which may slow down your site. It could also make your site more vulnerable to attacks or crashes if something goes wrong.

Always approach this with care. Make changes just enough to solve your problems without going overboard.

2. Increase limits in the .htaccess file

The next step to tackle the ‘The link you followed has expired’ error is to modify the .htaccess file. In this change, you increase the file upload size and execution time by adding the following code:

php_value upload_max_filesize 64M

php_value post_max_size 64M

php_value max_execution_time 300

php_value max_input_time 300

This code sets the maximum size of file uploads and that of posts to 64MB. It also sets the maximum time that a PHP script can run and parse input data to 300 seconds. This makes it easier to handle larger uploads. Just like earlier, you can use FTP or cPanel to access and edit this file.

Using FTP

1. Connect to your site via FTP.

2. Go to the root directory of your WordPress site. This is usually named public_html or www.

3. Find the .htaccess file and download it to your computer.

4. Open the downloaded file in a text editor and add the lines of code to it.

5. After adding the code, save your changes and upload the file back to the server using FTP. Replace the existing .htaccess file when asked.

Using cPanel

1. Log in to your cPanel dashboard.

2. Open the File Manager.

3. Locate the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory.

4. Right-click and choose Edit.

5. Add the lines of code, then save the file.

3. Increase limits in the php.in file

The php.ini file is a key configuration file used by PHP, which powers WordPress. It controls important WordPress settings, including important limits like file upload size and execution time. This is why, not all web hosts let you access this file directly. If you can’t reach it, you might need to ask your host for help.

If you do have access to php.ini, you can edit it using FTP or cPanel. You will need to add the following lines of code to it:

upload_max_filesize = 64M

post_max_size = 64M

max_execution_time = 300

max_input_time = 300

They do the same thing as the lines of code you added to the .htaccess file. But now, they are in a configuration file that has a site-wide reach. So if you are running more than one website on a server, these lines of code will apply to them all.

Using FTP

1. Connect to your website via FTP.

2. Find the php.ini file by navigating to the directory where it is located.

3. Download the file to your computer and open it with a text editor.

4. Add the lines of code and save your changes.

5. Upload the file back to the server, replacing the original when prompted.

Using cPanel

1. Log in to your cPanel dashboard.

2. Open the MultiPHP INI Editor tool.

3. Select the site for which you want to edit the php.ini file.

4. Modify the values for upload_max_filesize, post_max_size, max_execution_time, and max_input_time as per the values specified in the code.

5. Click Apply to save the changes.

4. Update your PHP version

Updating the PHP version of your WordPress site can improve performance and compatibility. Sometimes, an outdated PHP version might cause issues. This also includes ‘The link you followed has expired’ error. Keeping your PHP version up-to-date ensures your site runs smoothly and securely.

To update your PHP version, you’ll typically need access to your hosting control panel. The process can vary depending on your host. But, it generally involves selecting a newer PHP version from within the control panel settings.

5. Check for plugin conflicts

Plugin conflicts can sometimes stop file uploads and cause errors, like ‘The link you followed has expired’. Fixing these conflicts can solve the problem.

To find the problematic plugin, start by disabling all your plugins. You can do this by logging into the wp-admin dashboard, navigating to Plugins, and deactivating them one by one. Or, use FTP to access your site and locate the wp-content/plugins directory. Rename it to something like plugins_temp to deactivate all plugins at once.

Once all plugins are disabled, try uploading your files again to see if the problem went away. If it works, reactivate the plugins one by one to identify which one is causing the conflict. Once you find the cuplrit plugin, replace it with an alternative or update it. Don’t forget to inform the plugin developers about the issue to help them fix potential bugs.

If nothing works, inform your web host. They usually have WordPress experts who can solve this issue for you.

What causes the ‘The link you followed has expired’ issue?

The ‘The link you followed has expired’ issue often happens when you try to upload a theme or plugin that’s too large. Most web hosts set file size upload limits to prevent huge files from slowing down your site.

Uploading big files can strain your site’s resources, making it run slowly. This is why these limits exist. They help keep your site smooth and responsive. But, sometimes these limits might be too tight for what you need.

To see your site’s file size upload limit, log into your wp-admin dashboard. Go to Media and select Add New Media File. There, you’ll see the maximum file size you can upload. If your files exceed this limit, you might run into problems like the expired link issue.

Final thoughts

Fixing ‘The link you followed has expired’ error in WordPress can seem challenging. But, with the right steps, you can quickly get your site running smoothly. All you need to do is increase file upload and memory limits or address plugin conflicts. This way, you can resolve this issue and enhance your website’s performance. But remember, always approach changes cautiously to ensure nothing goes amiss during the process.

Along with fixing this issue, safeguarding your site is essential. MalCare is a great option for this. It automatically backs up your site and stores the data off-site in an encrypted format. This keeps your data safe without burdening your site resources. But MalCare offers more than just backups. It includes features like malware detection, one-click malware removal, and vulnerability scanning. These tools work together to keep your site secure and give you peace of mind.

FAQs

How to solve the link you followed has expired?

To solve ‘The link you followed has expired’ problem, start by increasing your site’s upload size and memory limits. Edit the wp-config.php, .htaccess, and php.ini files to allow larger uploads and longer execution times. Use FTP or your hosting account’s file manager to make these changes. Also, check your PHP version and update it if needed. If the issue continues, disable plugins to see if one of them is causing a conflict. If you can’t fix it, contact your web host for help, as they have experts who can assist you.

What does it mean your link has expired?

The message ‘your link has expired’ means the upload you tried did not finish in time or was too large. This happens when you try to upload a theme or plugin bigger than your server’s allowed size. These limits stop big uploads from causing problems on your site. But they can also block what you’re trying to do.

How do I access a link that has expired?

To access a link that has expired, you need to fix the issue that caused it. Start by increasing the upload size or time limits in files like wp-config.php, .htaccess, or php.ini. You can use FTP or your hosting control panel to change these files. Make sure your PHP version is up-to-date. Check for plugin conflicts by turning off plugins one by one. If you still can’t access the link, ask your web host for help; they have experts who can guide you.