[Solved] The link you have followed has expired

  Web Hosting

Sometimes when installing WordPress theme, WordPress throws the error “the link you followed has expired.” Don’t panic. This message is displayed by wordpress because your server settings for upload max size or maximum memory are not well configured.

What Causes ‘The Link You Followed Has Expired’ Error?

This error usually happens when the file you’re trying to upload is larger than the default upload and execution limits set by WordPress.

Firstly, you need to check upload limit.  You can go through > WordPress Dashboard and go to Media >> Add New page, you’ll find there current upload limit for WordPress as on below image.

How To Fix The Error

In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix the “link you followed has expired” all by yourself in a easy few steps.

Method 1: Change Value From MultiPHP INI Editor

  • Login to cPanel
  • Go through SOFTWARES and click on MultiPHP INI Editor (you can also search “MultiPHP INI Editor” on search bar on cPanel.
  • Select your domain under “Configure PHP INI basic settings” and your php configuration will be shown below.
  • Yo can edit “upload_max_filesize” and define your value for upload limit.
  • Click Save.

This method usually fixes the error. If it didn’t work, try the next method.

Method 2: Edit .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is a core file used by WordPress. We can edit this file and copy our code to change the default upload limits set by WordPress.

To edit the file, you need to access the WordPress files in your server. We’ll show you how to access the server using the CPanel. But, you can also use an FTP client app as well.

  • Login to cPanel
  • Find And Open The File Manager
  • On the public.html folder you’ll see the .htaccess file. Right-click on this file and choose Edit.

Then copy and paste the following lines of code at the end of the .htaccess file

php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
php_value post_max_size 64M
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300

Method 3: Create A PHP.ini File

The PHP.ini file has to be created locally on your computer and then you can upload it to your server.

First, open a blank notepad and copy and paste the following lines of code into it.

upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 64M
max_execution_time = 300

Then Save the note file as php.ini and choose file type as “All Files”

Navigate back to your server and go to the public.html folder. Then upload the PHP.ini file that you’ve just created on your computer.

This will fix the error and increase the upload size limits to 64MB.

These methods should help fix the issue and allow you to upload themes and plugins with larger sizes through the WordPress dashboard.