Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: IIS 8.5 PHP 5.6.2 x64 Fatal error: Allowed memory size of... if imagick is enabled

IIS 8.5 PHP 5.6.2 x64 Fatal error: Allowed memory size of... if imagick is enabled

Quick Answer: Check the PHP.ini settings for php_imagick extension and ensure it's not set to use a different memory limit than the overall memory_limit setting.

The IIS 8.5 PHP 5.6.2 x64 Fatal error: Allowed memory size of... if imagick is enabled occurs when the Imagick extension is enabled in PHP, causing a memory exhaustion error. This issue affects users who have upgraded from PHP 5.6.2 x86 to x64 (nts) on IIS 8.5 and are experiencing problems with the Imagick extension.

This frustration can be attributed to the fact that the upgrade from x86 to x64 architecture has led to a change in how memory is allocated, which can cause issues with certain extensions like Imagick. By following the steps outlined below, users can resolve this issue and ensure smooth operation of their PHP applications.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Imagick extension is not compatible with the x64 architecture of IIS 8.5. This incompatibility leads to memory exhaustion errors when the extension tries to allocate memory.
  • An alternative possible cause could be related to the way PHP handles memory allocation, which might be affected by the change from x86 to x64 architecture.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Fixing Imagick Extension Compatibility

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check if there are any updates available for the Imagick extension. Ensure that you have installed the latest version of the extension, specifically the x64 DLL version (6.8.9-8-Q16-x64-dll).
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Verify that the Imagick extension is enabled in the PHP configuration file (php.ini) and that it points to the correct location of the x64 DLL.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, try disabling the Imagick extension and see if the problem persists. This will help determine if the issue is indeed related to the extension.

Adjusting PHP Configuration for Memory Limit

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Increase the memory limit in the php.ini file to a higher value, such as 512M or 1G. This may help alleviate the memory exhaustion error.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Monitor the memory usage of your PHP application and adjust the memory limit accordingly. You can use tools like PHP's built-in memory info function or third-party extensions to monitor memory usage.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the IIS 8.5 PHP 5.6.2 x64 Fatal error: Allowed memory size of... if imagick is enabled, it is recommended to follow the steps outlined in Method 1 (Fixing Imagick Extension Compatibility). If this method does not work, you can try adjusting the PHP configuration for memory limit using Method 2 (Adjusting PHP Configuration for Memory Limit). By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and ensure smooth operation of your PHP applications.

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