Title: PHP Time limit (cURL Error)
Last modified: May 4, 2026

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# PHP Time limit (cURL Error)

 *  [mesaverdeinc](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mesaverdeinc/)
 * (@mesaverdeinc)
 * [4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-time-limit-curl-error/)
 * I will preface this post by saying I am in over my head and learning as I go 
   and most of the “help” I have found assumes I have more knowledge than I do. 
   I have multiple forms on my website (contact forms and Employment application
   being the most important). I recently had to pay for and implement WP Email SMTP
   because a free email plug in stopped working. Now I keep getting the error “
 * Mailer: 365 / Outlook http_request_failed: [“cURL error 28: Resolving timed out
   after 10519 milliseconds”]
 * I have figured out that I need to increase the PHP time limit, and while I can
   see that it is set to 180, I cannot find where to change it. The directions seem
   simple enough, to use an FTP manager and go into the wp-admin but I don’t know
   how to do that.
 * I did find the WP File Manager in the wordpress menu and it wants me to buy File
   Manager Pro for WordPress, but when I try I get an error that I can’t buy it.
 * I am at my wits end and working with my host, the wordpress AI chat and our business
   IT is literally no help and this is really hindering our employment processes.
   I am not sure where to go from here to fix this. If anyone can point me in the
   right direction, and/or walk me through it like I’m a third grader, I would really
   appreciate the help.
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Fphp-time-limit-curl-error%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-time-limit-curl-error/#post-18898564)
 * Increasing the PHP time limit will not help. It’s currently set to 180 _seconds_(
   not milliseconds). The cURL error timed out after 10.5 seconds. Most likely you
   don’t need more time because the root problem is the Outlook server is not responding
   to the request. Waiting longer will not make it respond. 10.5 seconds is more
   than enough time for a properly working request to get a response.
 * You need to figure out why the server isn’t responding. I suggest seeking assistance
   through the paid plugin’s dedicated support channel. These forums are inappropriate
   for providing support of paid plugins.
 *  Moderator [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * (@threadi)
 * [4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-time-limit-curl-error/#post-18898623)
 * Additionally, I would guess that the problem is more likely caused by your hosting
   provider. Something there (perhaps a firewall) is blocking the connection to 
   the SMTP server. It’s unusual, but you have to expect anything. My recommendation
   would therefore be to contact your hosting provider about the issue. They’ll 
   likely be able to resolve it for you without any additional costs for extra plugins.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

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to reply to this topic.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 2 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * Last activity: [4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-time-limit-curl-error/#post-18898623)
 * Status: not resolved

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