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

Written By: author avatar Seahawk
author avatar Seahawk
How to Fix “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress

As a WordPress website owner, you’ll often find yourself running into common WordPress errors from time to time. So, if you see this message pop up –  “The Link You Followed Has Expired,” know that it is one of the common issues in WordPress. But the question is- How to fix “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress? 

Errors often show up right after you’ve made an update or added a code snippet somewhere on your site. It might happen after using a third-party API, adding form variables, or tweaking a bit of HTML. No matter the cause, the sudden appearance of an error can be pretty stressful—and honestly, it’s easy to understand why! Immediate WordPress support and maintenance are key to catching issues early and fixing them before they become bigger headaches.

Nevertheless, we’re here to help you out! Today, we’ll show you how to fix the “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress using some simple methods. So, let’s get started. 

Understanding Fix “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress

Understanding Fix "The Link You Followed Has Expired" Error in WordPress

The “The link you followed has expired” error usually pops up when you’re trying to upload a WordPress theme or plugin that’s larger than the file size limits set by your hosting provider. What makes this error tricky is the lack of a clear explanation, which can leave beginners scratching their heads about how to fix it.

To check your server configuration, head to WordPress Dashboard → Tools → Site Health → Info → Server. This will show the maximum file size allowed for uploads. You can also verify this by going to Media → Add New in your dashboard, where you’ll see the maximum upload size noted under the upload area.

Even if your hosting and installation have adequate limits, WordPress may still struggle with larger files if the maximum execution time is set too low. In that case, you’ll see the same error message. But don’t worry—fixing this issue is easier than it seems. Let’s go through how to resolve it step by step! 

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Fix “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress With These Methods

Encountering the “The link you followed has expired” error in WordPress can be frustrating, but it’s a common issue with simple fixes. Here are a few methods you can use to resolve it quickly and get your site back on track

Increase PHP Memory Limit in wp-config.php to Fix the “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error

Increase PHP Memory Limit in wp-config.php

If you’re looking for a way to increase resource limits, you can do it by editing the wp-config.php file directly. Wp-config.php file gives you more direct control over your WordPress core configuration. 

To get started, you’ll need access to your website’s files. You can use an FTP client or the File Manager in cPanel to find the wp-config.php file. If you’re unsure how to locate or edit this file, don’t worry—our guide on finding and editing wp-config.php can help you out.

Once you’ve opened the wp-config.php file, look for the line that says, “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.” Right before that line, add the following code:

php
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT,’ ‘256M’);

This tells WordPress to allocate 256MB of memory to your website, which is usually enough to resolve most memory-related issues. You can always increase this value if needed, but starting with 256MB is a good first step. 

Read more: Safely Update WordPress from Version PHP 7 Without Breaking the Site

Increase the Limits in the .htaccess File

Increase the Limits in the .htaccess File

If you’re not comfortable adding code to your functions.php file, you can opt for a simpler method by editing the .htaccess file. This file is a crucial part of WordPress, helping manage how your site interacts with the server. By modifying the .htaccess file, you can easily adjust WordPress’s default upload limits. 

Here’s how you can do it:

First, connect to your website using an FTP client and locate the .htaccess file. Open it for editing, and at the bottom of the file, add the following lines of code:

php
php_value post_max_size 128M
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300

These values increase the size of files you can upload, and the time WordPress takes to process them. Feel free to adjust these values based on the size of the files you need to upload.

Once you’ve added the code, save your changes and upload the file back to your site. That’s it! You’ve successfully increased your upload limits.

Also Check: How to Setup an FTP Account for WordPress?

Increase the Limits in the php.ini File

If you prefer not to edit the functions.php or .htaccess files, another option is to increase your limits by modifying the php.ini file. This method is straightforward, whether you’re updating an existing file or creating a new one.

Start by checking if your public_html folder already contains a php.ini file. You can do this by logging into your hosting account and using either cPanel’s File Manager or an FTP client to access your website files.

If you don’t see the file, no worries! You can create a new php.ini file using a plain text editor like Notepad. Simply add the following code snippet:

php
Copy code
upload_max_filesize = 138M
post_max_size = 138M
max_execution_time = 300

After adding this code, upload the php.ini file to your site’s public_html folder. This will adjust the upload and execution time limits, allowing your WordPress site to handle larger uploads without timing out.

Update Your PHP Version

Update Your PHP Version

Another effective way to resolve the “The link you followed has expired” error is by updating your PHP version. An outdated PHP version can often cause compatibility issues, which may lead to this error. By updating to a newer PHP version, you not only improve compatibility but also enhance the overall performance and security of your site.

If you’re not sure how to update your PHP version, you can follow this detailed guide: How To Update WordPress PHP Version. It walks you through the steps to ensure your site runs smoothly on the latest PHP version.

Find Out: How to Troubleshooting PHP Errors in WordPress?

Check for Plugin Conflicts

Check for Plugin Conflicts

If you’re seeing this error when you’re not uploading files, it could be due to a plugin conflict. This often happens if you’ve just updated a few plugins, and then suddenly, the error appears. While it can be frustrating, the good news is it’s usually an easy fix.

To troubleshoot, start by disabling your plugins one by one. After disabling each plugin, check to see if the error still occurs. If the error disappears after disabling a particular plugin, that plugin is likely the cause. Sometimes, it might be two plugins conflicting with each other.

To be thorough, turn off the conflicting plugins and then re-enable them one by one to identify any interaction causing the issue. If you find that just one plugin is responsible, you can either disable it or roll back to a previous version until an update resolves the bug.

This process can feel tedious, but it’s an effective way to pinpoint the problem and get your site back up and running smoothly.

Relatable: How to Effectively Fix ‘WordPress Plugin Update Failed’ Issue

Contact Your Hosting Provider

Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the previous methods resolve the “The link you followed has expired” error, it might be time to reach out to your WordPress hosting provider. Sometimes, the issue could be due to server-side settings or restrictions that you can’t control directly, such as limitations on file upload sizes, execution time, or memory limits.

When you contact your hosting provider, explain the error you’re encountering and let them know the steps you’ve already taken. In many cases, they can increase limits, adjust configurations, or provide further guidance to fix the issue.

Most hosting providers offer technical support, and they may be able to resolve the problem quickly. Remember, your hosting provider is a valuable resource when troubleshooting issues beyond your control, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.

Know More: Hiring a WordPress Support Agency? Crucial Questions to Ask

Wrapping Up

If you manage a WordPress site, encountering errors from time to time is totally normal. The good news is that most common errors, like the “The link you followed has expired” message, are usually easy to fix. Just make sure to back up your site before you start troubleshooting, and you’ll likely have your site up and running again in no time.

We hope this guide has helped you resolve the “The link you followed has expired” error in WordPress smoothly and easily!

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