Importing a big fWordPress.org xml file

  • Unknown's avatar
    dileeshus · Member ·

    I want to migrate my WordPress self-hosted site back to WordPress.com. I have an xml file and it got “stuck” when I used the Importer because it is rather large. I started the import again with smaller xml files because I thought I could upload those separately. Nope. This doesn’t work because WordPress thinks that the import is done and won’t run more files through the importer. I get the “Hooray! Choose your design” message. Help!

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • Unknown's avatar
    justjennifer · Member ·

    Hi there, I’ve flagged your thread for staff assistance in resetting the importer.

    Can you say how large the XML file is?

  • Unknown's avatar
    dileeshus · Member ·

    Thank you. It’s just over 8MB.

  • Unknown's avatar
    lindajoyshaw · Member ·

    it’s a small file

  • Unknown's avatar
    dileeshus · Member ·

    Yes, you’re right. I thought it was big because it got stuck during the import… I didn’t check the properties of the file (as in file size) until I saw the 15MB limit.

  • csabarakasz · Staff ·

    Hi there! Thank you for calling our attention and for asking @dileeshus!

    I understand that once the first import was completed, it gives you a “Hooray! Choose your design” message, however, you have more files to import.

    The message is meant to make the next steps easy for you; however, you are totally capable of importing multiple files one after another.

    You can close the theme selection prompt or skip the step and simply go back to the Tools > Import section to import your next file.

    By the way, did you know you can also Request a free migration to WordPress.com? If you add a paid plan to your site, we can migrate your entire source website as is (including your previous theme and plugins), which can be easier than importing only the XML content. Once the migration is completed, you can always decide to change up the design.

    Let us know if you have any more questions regarding this.

  • Unknown's avatar
    dileeshus · Member ·

    Could you please do a reset? The importer is now stuck. It’s not allowing me to do anything.

    PS — I tried to upload more files with no luck. The importer kept circling back to the Hooray message without allowing me to upload more files. There is no skipping the Hooray, step unfortunately 😢

  • staff-cici · Staff ·

    Hi there! I’ve reset the importer state so you can try again. If you stilll have trouble, I would suggest clearing your browser cache before trying again.

    As we mentioned before, we can migrate your site here for free if you purchase a paid hosting plan.

    Let us know if you have any questions, or if you still have trouble with the import.

  • Unknown's avatar
    dileeshus · Member ·

    Hi there,

    I tried importing just posts but it’s even more stuck than it was before. I used a different broweser and still no joy. The importer is just spinning its wheels. I tried setting up a new site (dianeleewrites.wordpress.com) on the weekend but that’s stuck too. Surely, this shouldn’t be so difficult?

    Apart from the irritating and time-consuming option of copy and pasting pages and posts (with comment loss) from my self-hosted site what other options are there? And no, I don’t want a plan (and I don’t mean to be rude or disrespectful but I note that maybe a stuck migration is a way to move people on to a plan?).

  • Unknown's avatar
    imranbru · Member ·
    1. Bypass the Onboarding Wizard: Navigate directly to https://dianeleewrites.wordpress.com/wp-admin/import.php. The legacy WP-Admin interface bypasses the “Hooray” UI loop found in the modern dashboard.

    2. Split the XML File: Use a WXR Splitter to break the 8MB file into 1MB or 2MB chunks. Even though you are under the 15MB limit, the “spinning wheels” usually indicate a PHP timeout occurring while the server attempts to sideload media from your old host.

    3. Disable Media Sideloading: If the import still hangs, uncheck the “Download and import file attachments” box. This will import the text immediately. You can then address the images separately.

    4. Jetpack Connection: If your self-hosted site is still live, install Jetpack on it. You can then use the “Copy Site” tool in the WordPress.com settings, which is much more robust than the manual XML importer for free migrations.

  • staff-garyp · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    Thanks for your patience while we looked into this further. We’ve sent you a follow-up directly via email so we can investigate more closely, and possibly replicate the issue with the import. Please keep an eye on your inbox (and spam folder, just in case).

    We look forward to getting this resolved for you!

  • Unknown's avatar
    dileeshus · Member ·

    Thank you. And yes, I have receive your email and will respond.

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