Maximum Execution Time Exceeded

Why This Happens

PHP enforces a maximum execution time per script defined by max_execution_time in php.ini, defaulting to 30 seconds. When this limit is reached, PHP kills the script. This protects the server from runaway scripts but can also trigger on legitimately long-running operations.

The Problem

// Infinite loop due to wrong condition
$i = 0;
while ($i < 100) {
    echo $i;
    // Forgot to increment $i
}

The Fix

$i = 0;
while ($i < 100) {
    echo $i;
    $i++;
}

Step-by-Step Fix

1. 1

   Find the slow code

   Check the line number in the error. Look for infinite loops, missing loop increments, slow database queries, or external API calls that hang.

2. 2

   Optimize the operation

   Add proper loop termination, add database indexes, paginate large queries, or add timeouts to external HTTP calls.

3. 3

   Increase the limit for legitimate tasks

   For CLI scripts or long-running tasks, use set_time_limit(0) or increase max_execution_time in php.ini.