How to fix the “file size limit exceeded” backup error

This message means that the zip engine creating your backup had to stop, because the system it is running on is configured with a maximum file size limit.

i.e. The zip file created by that zip engine isn’t allowed to be larger than the limit.

This is very rare – we have only come across one hosting company that this occurs with (Strato, in Germany). To avoid it, tell UpdraftPlus to use a different zip engine. (The limit appears to only apply to one of the three possible zip engines).

To do that, edit your wp-config.php file for your WordPress site in a text editor, and add this line somewhere near the top (after the opening <?php):

define('UPDRAFTPLUS_NO_BINZIP', true);

Then, start a fresh backup. You should not see the message again.