How to Fix “The Link You Followed Has Expired” in WordPress

If you’re an avid WordPress user, you might have stumbled upon the error message, “The link you followed has expired.” This error commonly arises when you’re trying to upload a theme or a plugin. Fortunately, the problem can be resolved by making some changes to your WordPress settings.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate this issue:

1. Understand the Problem

The “link has expired” error often occurs because of a limitation set on the file upload size, post size, or execution time for scripts running on your server. When you try to upload a file that exceeds this size, or if a script runs for too long, WordPress returns this error.

2. Increase the Maximum File Upload Size

Using .htaccess:
This is one of the most common methods:

1. Access your WordPress root directory using an FTP client.
2. Look for the .htaccess file and open it.
3. Add these lines to increase the limit:

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

4. Save and close the file.

Using php.ini:

1. In your WordPress root directory, find or create a php.ini file.
2. Add or edit the following lines:

upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 64M
max_execution_time = 300

3. Save and close the file.

3. Increase the Maximum Execution Time

If increasing the upload size doesn’t solve the problem, you might want to increase the maximum execution time.

Using .htaccess:

Add this line to the .htaccess file:

php_value max_execution_time 300

Using wp-config.php:

1. Open wp-config.php from your WordPress root directory.
2. Add this line:

set_time_limit(300);

3. Save and close the file.

4. Use a Plugin

If you’re not comfortable editing these files, you can use a plugin like “WP Maximum Execution Time Exceeded.” This will automatically increase the maximum execution time for you.

5. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above methods work, it’s a good idea to reach out to your hosting provider. Some hosts have strict limits, and they might need to adjust these for you. Explain the issue, and they can often make the necessary adjustments on their end.

6. Manual Theme/Plugin Upload

As a workaround, if you’re just trying to upload a theme or plugin:

1. Unzip the theme or plugin on your computer.
2. Using an FTP client or through cPanel’s File Manager, upload the theme or plugin folder to wp-content/themes/ or wp-content/plugins/.
3. After uploading, you can go to your WordPress dashboard and activate the theme or plugin.

Conclusion

The “link you followed has expired” error in WordPress is mostly related to server settings that limit resource usage. By adjusting these settings or opting for alternative upload methods, you can bypass this problem. Always remember to back up your site before making any changes, and if in doubt, consult with a WordPress professional or your hosting provider.