Set custom PHP settings with .user.ini in Plesk (GARMTECH Hosting)

On GARMTECH hosting you can change many PHP limits in Plesk (upload size, memory, execution time). Sometimes you need to override other PHP directives for a specific website or folder.

For most cases, we recommend using Plesk → PHP Settings. If you need a folder-specific override, you can use a .user.ini file.

Option A (recommended): change settings in Plesk

1. Open Plesk from My.GARMTECH (Services → My Services → your hosting plan → Login to Plesk).
2. Go to Websites & Domains → your domain → PHP Settings.
3. Adjust the available values and click OK.

This applies to the whole domain.

Option B: use .user.ini (per directory)

.user.ini is a small configuration file that PHP reads in the directory of the executed script and parent directories up to the document root (PHP-FPM/FastCGI). This allows you to apply settings only where needed (for example, only inside /wp-admin).

1) Create the .user.ini file

1. In Plesk, open Files for your domain.
2. Navigate to the directory where you want the override (most often httpdocs).
3. Create a file named: .user.ini

2) Add directives

Example:

memory_limit = 256M
max_execution_time = 180
max_input_vars = 5000
display_errors = Off

Important: not every PHP directive can be changed this way. Only directives allowed for user/per-directory mode will work.

3) Wait a few minutes

PHP caches .user.ini values. If you do not see changes immediately, wait a few minutes and test again.

How to confirm the active value

If you are unsure whether the directive is applied, create a small phpinfo.php file in the same folder and open it in a browser:

<?php
phpinfo();

Then search for the directive name. After testing, delete this file (it reveals server details).

Troubleshooting

• No effect: double-check the filename is exactly .user.ini and it is placed in the correct directory.
• Conflicting values: a value set in Plesk PHP Settings can override your expected behavior. Keep settings in one place when possible.
• Need a server-wide change: on shared hosting, some limits can only be adjusted on the server level. In this case, open a support ticket in My.GARMTECH with the domain and the exact directive you need. (/tickets/create/step1)