How to manage the inode limit of your Hostinger hosting plan

An inode (index node) is a data structure that stores information about every file and directory on your Hostinger hosting account. Each individual item counts as one inode. Since web and cloud hosting plans have specific limits on the number of inodes, it is important to monitor and maintain your usage to ensure your services run smoothly.

Before you start

• The inode limit applies to file-based websites, such as WordPress, other CMS, or custom PHP/HTML sites.
• Websites created with the Hostinger Website Builder or Hostinger Horizons are not file-based; therefore, they do not consume inodes or count toward your hosting plan’s inode limit.
• Emails, databases, and automated backups are stored independently and do not count toward your hosting disk or inode quota.

How to check inode usage

To view your current inode usage, follow these steps:

1. Go to hPanel → Websites.
2. Click Dashboard next to the website.
   1. For web and cloud hosting, select Hosting plan → Resources Usage on the sidebar.
   2. For agency hosting, select Resources Usage directly.
3. Find the inodes usage. The graphic will indicate the current number of inodes and the total inode limit of your hosting plan. If you need a more detailed breakdown, you can check the number of inodes and disk usage per directory.

What happens if the inode limit is reached

Once the inode limit is reached, you cannot create new files or directories, even if you have available disk space. This can cause your websites to stop working properly or result in errors when using the File Manager.

When your account reaches 80% or more of its inode or disk space limit, the Resource Usage page provides troubleshooting advice.

How to reduce inode usage

You can take the following actions to lower your inode count:

• Remove unnecessary files: Delete files and directories you no longer need via the File Manager or FTP.
• Remove unused websites: Delete subdomains or websites you no longer use. Ensure you back up your files and databases before doing this.
• Clean up WordPress: Delete unused backups created by plugins and remove old staging environments. Deactivate and uninstall unused plugins or themes.
• Clear cache and logs: Delete old manual backups, cache files, and redundant files like resized images. Check the .logs directory for unnecessary log files.
• Boost your hosting: Use the 24-hour boost feature to temporarily increase resources if you cannot access the File Manager due to the limit.
• Upgrade your plan: If all current files are necessary, consider upgrading your Hostinger hosting plan to increase your inode limit.

Managing your inodes helps maintain your website’s performance and prevents service interruptions. By regularly cleaning up unnecessary files or upgrading your plan when needed, you can ensure your hosting environment remains stable and efficient.