Are you considering updating the PHP version of your WordPress site? Embracing the latest PHP version can substantially enhance your site’s performance and overall user experience. While many web hosting providers offer straightforward update processes, there are a few key factors to consider before making the switch. Let’s delve into what you need to know before diving into the PHP update for your WordPress site.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to effortlessly update the PHP version of your WordPress website. Whether you’re aiming to boost performance, enhance security, or ensure compatibility with the latest features, upgrading PHP is a crucial task that can elevate your site’s functionality and overall user experience. Let’s dive into the process and empower you to seamlessly update your WordPress site’s PHP version.
Why Should WordPress Update Its PHP Version?
The performance of your WordPress website might be improved by updating the PHP version. You see, PHP is an open-source programming language that is used in the development of WordPress. It requires PHP 7.4 or above as of the time this article was written.
Patches for security flaws and vulnerabilities are typically included with new PHP versions, shielding your website against malware and hackers. It also has additional features to lower memory utilization and speed up tasks that are currently executing.
We highly advise updating your WordPress installation to the most recent stable release of PHP, which currently stands at PHP 8.3.2 as of the time of crafting this article.
Sticking to an older PHP version could expose your website to heightened security risks, slower performance, and potential errors stemming from compatibility issues with WordPress core, plugins, or themes. For a deeper understanding of this subject, delve into our article discussing the impact of PHP updates by your web host on WordPress.
Fortunately, many WordPress hosting providers make it a priority to provide the latest PHP versions that align with WordPress’ requirements. In some cases, they may even handle PHP updates automatically without you noticing any immediate changes.
However, it’s still advisable to stay informed about the latest PHP developments. Keeping abreast of new features or alterations can help you anticipate any potential impacts on your WordPress website. Occasionally, certain plugins, themes, or software may encounter compatibility issues post-update, necessitating a temporary rollback to an older PHP version.
Before diving into the update process, let’s perform a quick check-up. We’ll first guide you on discovering your current PHP version within WordPress. Then, we’ll provide a roadmap for navigating different hosting providers when it comes to updating your PHP. This ensures a smooth transition and empowers you to choose the method best suited for your specific hosting setup.
Check your PHP version in WordPress
In WordPress, determining the PHP version your host is using couldn’t be simpler. Just log in to your admin dashboard and navigate to the Tools section, then click on the Site Health page. Next, navigate to the ‘Info’ tab within your hosting control panel.
Next, navigate to the ‘Server’ tab and click to expand it. This section displays crucial system information about your server, including the current PHP version being used. As illustrated in the screenshot, our demo website is running on PHP version 8.1.
What to Do Before Updating PHP in WordPress
Before implementing any updates, it’s crucial to ensure that your live site remains error-free during and after the transition. To accomplish this, it’s recommended to take the following precautions before updating your PHP version:
- Ensuring the latest updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins is essential to guarantee their seamless operation with the new PHP version. Typically, reputable developers provide compatibility with newer PHP versions for must-have WordPress plugins, facilitating smooth transitions and optimal performance.
- Ensure the safety of your website by utilizing a backup plugin such as Duplicator to create a comprehensive backup. This precautionary step enables you to restore your site to a flawless state in the event of any unforeseen issues, providing peace of mind and safeguarding against potential disasters.
- Establishing a staging site is advised before proceeding with PHP updates. This ensures that any potential errors resulting from the new PHP version won’t impact your live website.
- Utilize the PHP Compatibility Checker plugin, developed by WP Engine, to pinpoint any potential issues that might arise with the new PHP version.
How to Update Your PHP Version in Bluehost
Initially, access your Bluehost hosting account’s control panel and navigate to the ‘Websites’ tab located in the left column. Next, choose the specific website for which you intend to update the PHP version, then click on the ‘Settings’ button.
Proceed to the ‘Settings’ tab, where you can view and adjust the advanced configurations of your WordPress blog or website. What you need to do now is scroll down to the PHP Version section. After that, click ‘Change’ next to your current PHP version.
Now, select the desired PHP version for the update and proceed by clicking the ‘Change’ button. Bluehost will then implement the chosen PHP version for your website.
How to Update Your PHP Version in Hostinger:
First, go to the “Websites” option in the Hostinger account dashboard after logging in. To modify the PHP version of a website, click the ‘Manage’ button next to it from this page.
This will lead you to the dashboard of that specific website.
Next, navigate to the ‘PHP Configuration’ tab located in the left sidebar’s Advanced menu.
You can now select from a list of supported and accessible PHP versions with Hostinger.
To save your settings, choose the PHP version you wish to use and click the “Update” button.
You’ll get a popup requesting confirmation of the PHP upgrade for your blog, online store, or website.
Just click “Confirm” to proceed.
How to Update Your SiteGround PHP Version
Here’s how to upgrade the PHP version of your WordPress website if you use SiteGround.
You must first access your SiteGround account dashboard by logging in. Next, navigate to the “My websites and services” area and select Websites by clicking the “Manage” option.
At this point, the My Websites page will appear. To update the PHP version on a website, simply click the ‘Site Tools’ option underneath the webpage.
Next, you must choose the PHP Manager option from the left column’s “Devs” area. You may then select the PHP Version tab by scrolling down and clicking the pencil icon next to your PHP version.
A popup will appear as a result. The first thing you must do is choose “Change PHP version manually” from the “Set PHP Version” menu.
After that, a dropdown menu will allow you to choose your PHP version. Remember to use the “Confirm” button to make your changes effective.
How to Use HostGator to Update Your PHP Version:
First, go to the ‘Websites’ section of your HostGator hosting account dashboard by logging in. Next, on the website whose PHP version you wish to update, click the “Settings” option.
Then just select the “Settings” tab. You can control the advanced settings of your website in this section.
You’ll be taken to the control panel’s PHP settings page.
Select a PHP version from the dropdown menu now. To proceed with the update, click “Change PHP Version” after that.
How to Update Your WP Engine PHP Version
Since WP Engine is a managed WordPress hosting provider, they will automatically update your PHP version. On the other hand, you can manually change the PHP version for your websites.
Just access your WP Engine dashboard by logging in. Select your preferred website and click the PHP version next to it on the ‘My Sites’ page.
This will take you to the Overview settings for your website. Here’s where WP Engine comes into play: you can preview your website with the most recent PHP version without actually updating PHP.
Go to the ‘Updates’ section of WP Engine and scroll down to upgrade PHP.
Next, click the link for the PHP version number.
Simply select the “Upgrade to PHP…” option at this point.
Next, select “Confirm” by clicking the button.
How to Upgrade PHP Version on Different WordPress Hosting Companies
The majority of WordPress hosting companies arrange their options in a largely comparable manner. Most hosting control panels, including cPanel, provide advanced options where you may usually find the option to switch to a different version of PHP.
If you are still unable to locate it, you can modify the PHP version of your website by visiting the knowledge base of your provider or getting in touch with their support staff. See our post on how to request WordPress support for additional details.
WordPress Changing PHP Versions: Frequently Asked Questions
After talking about updating your PHP version in WordPress, let’s address some commonly asked questions regarding the subject.
1-After the PHP version has been updated, what should you do?
After your WordPress website’s PHP version has updated, you might want to make sure everything is operating as it should. We advise checking your website to see if there are any problems that are apparent right away.
Following that, you can access your website’s WordPress admin panel by logging in. Make sure all of your plugins and themes are up to date and that your website is running the most recent version of WordPress.
For additional information, see our how to upgrade WordPress securely for beginners tutorial.
2-What should I do if my WordPress website is broken by a PHP update?
A WordPress website is unlikely to malfunction due to a PHP update. All of the usual WordPress problems can still be caused by a single ill-written line of code, though, given the wealth of both free and paid plugins.
Make sure a plugin or theme isn’t the source of the error first. You must use the default WordPress theme and disable all of your plugins in order to accomplish that.
Please get in touch with your web host’s support staff if this does not resolve your problem. They most likely already have an idea of what the problem is that you are having, and they can help.
You can use the previously mentioned techniques to reduce your PHP version if your web host is unwilling to assist you.