In this troubleshooting guide, you’ll learn what PHP scripts are<\/a>, why they are subject to time constraints, and what steps you need to take to remove the max_execution_time WordPress error<\/a> from your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s get started with the tutorial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n WordPress along with plugins and themes is coded in the PHP programing language<\/a>. This means that when you are operating a WordPress website PHP scripts are constantly being executed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By default, script executions are often subject to a 30-second time limit <\/strong>by your hosting server. It is done to prevent the overuse of server resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This number can be higher or lower at certain hosting providers – but most hosts use a default configuration of 30 seconds.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If a script does not complete execution within the 30 seconds time frame, then the function is terminated and you are shown the max_execution_time error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, this particular error occurs when you are trying to install or update a plugin or theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The max_execution_time WordPress error can also be displayed with different messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, sometimes you’ll see a message like the following in your WordPress dashboard: On the frontend of your WordPress site, this error can also show up as a generic WordPress error message: Now that you know why the max_execution_time WordPress error occurs, let’s learn how to fix it.<\/p>\n\n\n In this section, we are going to discuss two types of solutions: permanent and temporary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The permanent solution involves deactivating plugins<\/a> and themes. Carrying this out immediately might not be possible for many of our readers which is why we are also offering a temporary solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the temporary solution is more suitable for you, then implement that but be sure to carry out the permanent solution sometime soon or else you risk encountering the max_execution_time error again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We know that the max_execution_time WordPress error occurs due to time constraint on a PHP script. But we still need to know what PHP script was being executed to fix the error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, people encounter this error while installing a plugin or a theme<\/strong>. This means the plugin or theme is causing the error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The PHP execution time limit set by the hosting provider is enough to allow most<\/em> plugins and themes to work properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But poorly coded or malware-infected plugins and themes need more resources to function. So, to fix the max_execution_time error, you need to remove the plugin or theme<\/strong> from your website and replace it with an alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you started experiencing the error immediately after installing a new plugin or theme, that’s a pretty good sign that the issue comes from that extension.<\/p>\n\n\n Multiple updates of plugins and themes are also known to cause the error. So we recommend avoiding bulk updates and implementing updates one by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the error appeared when you were not operating your site, even then there are ways to figure out the real cause of the error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They would have also sent you a special link using which you can open your site in the Recovery Mode<\/a>. The Recovery Mode is needed when your site stops functioning due to a fatal error. This particular error, although called a fatal error does not prevent your site from functioning normally. So while you don\u2019t need to access the Recovery Mode to delete the culprit plugin or theme, there\u2019s no harm in using it.<\/p>\n\n\n A temporary fix for the max_execution_time WordPress error involves increasing the maximum PHP execution time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can attempt to do this by using one of the four methods below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it’s worth noting that the success of these methods will depend in part on your hosting environment and how it’s configured.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is the max_execution_time WordPress error? What causes it?<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"max_execution_time](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/max_execution_time-wordpress-error.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nFatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded.<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe site is experiencing technical difficulties.<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to fix the max_execution_time WordPress error?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Permanent fix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"deleting](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/deleting-a-plugin.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Temporary fixes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Method 1: Increase PHP execution time using a plugin<\/h4>\n\n\n