Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 20480 bytes) Laravel
Stefan Izdrail
Founder & Senior Architect · 2026-06-29
Title: Defining and Addressing Laravel's Allowed Memory Exhaustion Errors
Introduction
Laravel is among the most popular PHP frameworks, known for its robust features and easy scalability. However, like any other software, it may face errors that cause your project to malfunction or even cease working altogether. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into Laravel-specific allowed memory exhaustion issues and discuss possible solutions to ensure the smooth functioning of your projects.
Allowed Memory Exhaustion Errors in Laravel
The common error messages seen while running Laravel are:
```php
Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 20480 bytes) in /laravel-projects/blog/vendor/[package]/file.php on line [number]
```
These errors appear as a result of Laravel exceeding its allotted memory limit during various tasks like rendering views, queries, or performing data manipulation. To fix and prevent such issues, you must understand the underlying reasons causing them.
Underlying Causes
1. Database Queries: Your project might be executing complex database queries that require ample memory. Laravel's active record implementation is known to use large amounts of memory when querying relationships or dealing with massive datasets.
2. View Rendering Issues: If your view files are too heavy, the server will struggle while rendering them, which increases memory consumption. The use of complex templates and nested loops can also contribute to memory exhaustion issues.
3. Application Logic Flaws: Improper logic in your application might lead to infinite loops, causing excessive memory consumption and ultimately raising errors.
Solutions for Allowed Memory Exhaustion Errors
1. Reduce Database Queries: Optimize queries by using indexes, limiting the number of rows fetched, or utilizing caching strategies to reduce overhead on your database.
2. Optimize View Rendering: Simplify view files by breaking them into smaller parts and ensuring template optimization. Avoid complex nested loops or heavy data processing within your views.
3. Verify Application Logic Flaws: Debug your application's logic to identify any infinite loops or memory leakage issues, and fix them accordingly.
4. Increase Available Memory: If the error persists despite optimizing other aspects of your project, you may need to increase Laravel's maximum memory usage limit by adjusting the php.ini file. This approach should be used with caution as it can cause other issues if not implemented correctly.
5. Reevaluate Server Resources: If increasing available memory does not solve the issue, consider upgrading your server resources or switching to a more capable hosting provider.
Conclusion
Laravel's allowed memory exhaustion errors are common but easily preventable using the above solutions. By optimizing your application's logic and database queries, and ensuring efficient view rendering, you can enhance your Laravel projects' performance. In case of persistent issues, seek professional assistance to ensure a stable and secure environment for your project.
Remember that these tips are just guidelines, and a thorough understanding of Laravel and PHP frameworks is essential to tackle such problems effectively. For more in-depth knowledge on Laravel best practices and optimizations, check out our [Laravel Company Blog](https://laravelcompany.com/blog).