Have you ever tried uploading a file or updating a plugin in WordPress, only to see an error message saying “The link you followed has expired”?
It can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know how to fix it.
In this tutorial, we’ll go over some possible causes for this error and provide solutions to fix it.
What Causes “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress?
This error message usually appears when you try to upload a file or update a plugin or theme in WordPress. There are a few reasons why this error might occur:
Server Timeouts: If your server is taking too long to respond to the request, the browser will display the error message.
PHP Memory Limit: If you’re trying to upload a file or update a plugin or theme that’s larger than the PHP memory limit set in your server’s php.ini file, you may see this error.
Security Plugin Conflict: If you have a security plugin installed that’s conflicting with the upload or update process, it could cause the error.
Internet Connection: If you have a weak internet connection or the connection gets interrupted while you’re uploading or updating, it could cause the error.
How to Fix “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress
Now that we know what might be causing this error, let’s look at some solutions to fix it.
Solution 1: Increase Server Timeouts
If the error is caused by server timeouts, you can try increasing the server timeouts to allow more time for the request to be processed. To do this, you’ll need to edit your .htaccess file. Here’s how:
Log in to your WordPress site’s cPanel or FTP client.
Find the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory.
Add the following code to the top of the file:
Timeout 600
This will set the server timeout to 600 seconds (10 minutes). You can adjust this value as needed.
Save the changes to your .htaccess file and try uploading or updating again.
Solution 2: Increase PHP Memory Limit
If the error is caused by the PHP memory limit, you can try increasing it. To do this, you’ll need to edit your server’s php.ini file. Here’s how:
Log in to your WordPress site’s cPanel or FTP client.
Find the php.ini file in your server’s root directory.
Look for the following line:
memory_limit = 128M
This sets the PHP memory limit to 128 MB. You can increase this value to a higher number.
Save the changes to your php.ini file and try uploading or updating again.
Solution 3: Disable Security Plugins
If the error is caused by a security plugin conflict, you can try disabling your security plugins temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
To do this, you’ll need to log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the Plugins page.
Find your security plugin and click the “Deactivate” button.
Then, try uploading or updating again.
If the error goes away, you’ll know that the security plugin was causing the issue.
You can try reactivating the plugin and adjusting its settings to prevent the conflict from happening again.
Solution 4: Check Your Internet Connection
If the error is caused by a weak or interrupted internet connection, you can try troubleshooting your connection.
Check your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection to make sure it’s stable and strong. Then contact your hosting provider‘s support team.
