Handling large media imports without triggering the "HTTP error" on legacy uploaders?

General Discussion
1

Hi everyone,
I’ve been migrating a few more client sites over to ClassicPress because I really prefer the stability of the classic editor for high-volume posting. However, I’m running into a consistent “HTTP error” whenever I try to upload high-bitrate vertical video files directly to the media library.

I’ve been using a specific capcut macbook version to handle my quick edits and color grading before pushing them to the site, but even with the file size under 50MB, the upload seems to hang or time out. I’ve already increased my memory_limit and max_execution_time in php.ini, yet the issue persists intermittently.

Has anyone else noticed that certain desktop-exported MP4s with modern codecs (like H.265) cause the ClassicPress media uploader to struggle with thumbnail generation? I’m starting to wonder if I should be looking into a specialized plugin for chunked uploads or if there’s a way to disable the server-side metadata parsing that might be causing the script to crash. If anyone has a tried-and-tested workflow for managing desktop-edited social clips within the classic media library without having to resort to FTP every time, I’d love to hear how you’re handling it. I’m really trying to keep this build as “clean” and plugin-light as possible!

2

Which uploader are you using? ClassicPress currently has two. The media list view uses the legacy uploader we inherited from WordPress. The grid view uploader now uses Filepond. Could you try whichever one you have not tried yet and see how that goes?

4

@Maureen As I asked @nora868, which uploader have you used? The Filepond uploader shouldn’t have these problems.

5

@timkaye they seem to be using the “multiple file fallback uploader” - the one that is triggered when a normal upload of multiple files in the media library fails. (it relies on browser file uploader and just shows a dropzone with a select files button and a upload files button).

I think this error is not relevant to media library but to the upload_max_filesize. in practice they are trying to upload a huge amount of files in one go (and for that FTP would be better really). this triggers media library to fail and go on the fallback and it fails too for the upload limit.
How to fix:

However do consider that this limit is present both in WP and CP. it’s a feature and not a bug. Basically if you need to upload larger files you really do need to edit php.ini

1 Like
6

Find a way to display php_info and check settings:

upload_max_filesize
post_max_size

Also if you use rev proxy service like CloudFlare they limit POST request size, with free CloudFlare plan it is limited to 100MB.