Download Limits
Overview
Download Limits control how many times packages can be downloaded, either globally or per user. Use limits to protect bandwidth, create scarcity, manage license compliance, or implement fair-use policies.
Prerequisites
- WordPress Download Manager installed
- Download logging enabled
- Packages to configure
Types of Limits
| Limit Type | Scope | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Limit | All users | Total downloads allowed for package |
| Per User Limit | Individual user | Downloads per user for package |
| Daily Limit | Per day | Daily download limits per role (requires add-on) |
| Role Based Limit | Per role | Different limits by user role (requires add-on) |
Stock Limit
Overview
Stock limit sets the maximum total downloads for a package. Once reached, the package becomes unavailable to everyone.
Setting Stock Limit
- Edit a package
- Find Package Settings tab
- Locate Limits & Quotas > Stock Limit
- Enter maximum downloads
- Save package
Stock Limit: [1000] (empty = unlimited)
How It Works
Package: Software v1.0 Stock Limit: 1000 Current Downloads: 999 User clicks download → Download #1000 succeeds User clicks download → "Download limit reached"
Use Cases
| Scenario | Quota |
|---|---|
| Limited release | 100-500 |
| Beta testing | 50-100 |
| Contest/giveaway | Match prize count |
| License compliance | Match license count |
When Limit Is Reached
Users see:
This download is no longer available. Download limit has been reached.
Or configure custom message in settings.
Per-User Download Limit
Overview
Limits how many times each individual user can download a specific package.
Setting Per-User Limit
- Edit a package
- Find Package Settings tab
- Locate Limits & Quotas > Download Limit
- Enter limit
- Save
Download Limit(per user): [3] (0 = unlimited)
How It Works
Package: Software Pro Download Limit: 3 User: John Download 1 ✓ Download 2 ✓ Download 3 ✓ Download 4 ✗ "You've reached your download limit" User: Mary Download 1 ✓ (separate count) Download 2 ✓ ...
Guest Users
For non-logged-in users:
- Tracked by IP address
- Or session/cookie if enabled
- Less reliable than logged-in tracking
Use Cases
| Scenario | Limit |
|---|---|
| Single download (one-time) | 1 |
| Multiple devices | 3-5 |
| Regular re-downloads | 10-20 |
| Generous access | 50+ |
Configuring Limits
Package-Level Settings
In the package editor:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Limits & Quotas │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Stock Limit: [empty ] downloads│ │ Download Limit: [3/per user ] downloads│ │ │ │ ☐ Unlimited stock, 3 downloads for each │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘
Global Default Settings
Configure default download limit settings for all packages using Default Values add-on,
from Downloads > Settings > Default Values:
Default Values: ├─ Stock Limit: [100] (empty=unlimited) ├─ Download Limit: [10] (0=unlimited)
Limit Messages
Customizing Messages
At Downloads > Settings > General > Download Limit Messages:
Download Limit Message: [This download is no longer available. The maximum download limit has been reached.]
Viewing Limit Status
Admin View
In package list or edit screen:
Package: Software Pro ─────────────────────── Stock Limit : 1000 Download Count : 740
Role Based Limits (Add-on)
Overview
Download Limit add-on for WordPress Download Manager Pro will help you to
set up download limits for different user roles and for specific users too.
Configuration
Role Based Download Limits:
| User Role | Download Limit | Reset Day |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator | Unlimited | — |
| Editor | 50 | 30 |
| Author | 20 | 15 |
| Subscriber | 5 | 7 |
| Guest | 1 | 1 |
How it works:
For example, using the Subscriber role from the table above:
Subscriber can download 5 packages within a 7-day limit. If the subscriber reaches the 5 download limit before the 7 days are over, they must wait until the 7 day period ends. After the 7 days, the download limit will automatically reset.
Limit Reset Options
Manual Reset
For individual user:
- Go to Users > All Users
- Find the user whose download limit you want to reset
- Locate the user’s download limit records
- Click the Reset Now button
- The user’s download limit is reset successfully
Time Based Reset
The download limit for each user starts when they make their first download.
The reset timer begins at that moment and applies to daily, weekly, monthly, or any custom time period you set. Once the selected time period ends, the user’s download limit is automatically reset.
Note: The clock for each user will start from their first download.
Bulk Reset
You can also reset download limits for all users at once.
Go to Downloads → Settings → General → Download Limit and click the Reset Limit for Everyone button. This will reset the download limits for all user roles.
Troubleshooting
Limit Not Enforced
Causes:
- Logging disabled
- User not tracked
- Cache serving old page
Solutions:
- Enable download logging
- Verify user identification
- Clear page cache
- Check database for records
Wrong Count Showing
Cause: Multiple tracking entries
Solutions:
- Check for duplicate records
- Clear and rebuild stats
- Verify counting logic
Guests Bypassing Limits
Cause: IP/session changes
Solutions:
- Require login for limited packages
- Use email lock for identification
- Combine multiple tracking methods
Limit Reset Unexpectedly
Causes:
- Version change triggered reset
- Admin cleared stats
- Database issue
Solutions:
- Check version reset setting
- Review admin actions
- Verify database integrity
Related Documentation
Applies to: WordPress Download Manager 7.x