How to Change PHP Version for WordPress: A Complete Guide
PHP is one of the core technologies that powers WordPress. The PHP version running on your hosting server can affect your website’s performance, security, compatibility, and reliability.
As WordPress, themes, and plugins evolve, older PHP versions eventually become outdated. Running a supported PHP version can provide access to security improvements and newer language features while potentially improving performance.
However, changing PHP versions should be done carefully. An incompatible plugin or theme can cause errors after the switch.
This guide explains how to check, change, and safely test the PHP version used by a WordPress website.
What Is the PHP Version in WordPress?
WordPress itself does not normally determine the PHP version used by your website.
Instead, PHP is installed and configured on your hosting server. When someone visits your WordPress website, the web server passes PHP requests to the configured PHP runtime.
For example, your hosting account might currently use:
PHP 8.1You may later change it to:
PHP 8.3The exact PHP versions available depend on your hosting provider and server configuration.
Why Should You Change the PHP Version?
There are several reasons to change PHP versions.
1. Security
Older PHP versions eventually stop receiving security support. Moving to a currently supported release helps keep the server environment more secure.
2. Performance
Newer PHP releases can provide performance improvements compared with older versions, although the actual improvement varies by application and workload.
3. WordPress Compatibility
New WordPress releases, themes, and plugins may increasingly rely on newer PHP features.
4. Plugin Compatibility
Some modern plugins may require a newer PHP version.
5. Hosting Requirements
Your hosting provider may eventually retire older PHP versions and require customers to migrate to newer releases.
Before Changing the PHP Version
Don’t change PHP versions on a production website without preparation.
Follow these steps first.
Create a Full Backup
Back up:
- WordPress files
- Database
- Themes
- Plugins
- Uploads
- Configuration files
Make sure the backup can actually be restored.
Update WordPress
Go to:
Dashboard → Updates
Install available WordPress updates where appropriate.
Update Plugins and Themes
Outdated plugins and themes are more likely to cause compatibility problems after changing PHP.
Check Plugin Compatibility
Review the documentation for important plugins, especially:
- E-commerce plugins
- Page builders
- Security plugins
- Caching plugins
- Custom plugins
Test on Staging
If your hosting provider offers staging, clone the website and change PHP on the staging copy first.
This is one of the safest ways to identify compatibility issues before affecting your live website.
How to Check Your Current PHP Version
There are several ways to determine which PHP version your WordPress website is using.
Method 1: WordPress Site Health
Log in to WordPress and go to:
Tools → Site Health → Info
Open the Server section.
You should see information about the PHP environment, including the PHP version.
For example:
PHP version: 8.2.xMethod 2: Hosting Control Panel
Your hosting control panel may display the PHP version assigned to your domain.
Depending on your hosting platform, you might find it under:
- PHP Selector
- MultiPHP Manager
- PHP Settings
- PHP Configuration
- Select PHP Version
- Domain PHP Settings
How to Change PHP Version in cPanel
If your WordPress website uses cPanel, changing PHP versions is usually straightforward.
Step 1: Log in to cPanel
Sign in to your hosting account and open cPanel.
Step 2: Open MultiPHP Manager
Search for:
MultiPHP Manager
The exact interface can vary depending on your hosting provider.
Step 3: Select Your Domain
Find the domain containing your WordPress website.
Select the domain.
Step 4: Choose the PHP Version
Select the desired PHP version from the available list.
For example:
PHP 8.1
PHP 8.2
PHP 8.3Choose a version supported by your WordPress installation, themes, plugins, and hosting environment.
Step 5: Apply the Change
Click Apply or the equivalent save button.
The server will assign the selected PHP version to your domain.
Step 6: Test Your Website
Open:
- Homepage
- WordPress login
- Important pages
- Forms
- Checkout
- Admin dashboard
Check for PHP errors or broken functionality.
How to Change PHP Version in DirectAdmin
DirectAdmin hosting environments can also provide PHP version management, although the exact interface depends on the server administrator’s configuration.
Step 1: Log in to DirectAdmin
Access your DirectAdmin account.
Step 2: Open Domain Settings
Select the domain associated with your WordPress installation.
Look for PHP-related settings or a PHP version selector.
Step 3: Select the PHP Version
Choose the desired PHP version from the versions available on your server.
For example:
PHP 8.1
PHP 8.2
PHP 8.3Step 4: Save the Configuration
Apply the new PHP version.
Step 5: Test WordPress
Visit the website and test important functionality.
If your hosting account does not provide a PHP selector, contact your hosting provider or server administrator.
How to Change PHP Version on a VPS or Dedicated Server
If you manage your own VPS or dedicated server, changing PHP is more involved.
You may need to configure:
- PHP packages
- PHP-FPM
- Apache
- Nginx
- Virtual hosts
- PHP extensions
- Server pools
For example, a server might have several PHP-FPM versions installed simultaneously.
Your web server then determines which PHP-FPM service processes requests for a particular website.
A typical configuration might look conceptually like:
Website
↓
Web Server
↓
PHP-FPM 8.x
↓
WordPressWhen changing PHP versions manually, make sure all required WordPress PHP extensions are available for the new version.
Common extensions used by WordPress environments include:
curl
dom
fileinfo
hash
json
mbstring
mysqli
openssl
pcre
xml
zipThe exact extensions required can vary depending on WordPress, plugins, themes, and server configuration.
How to Change PHP Version Using .htaccess
Some Apache hosting environments allow administrators to select a PHP version through .htaccess.
For example, a hosting provider might supply a configuration similar to:
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php83 .phpHowever, the correct syntax depends entirely on your hosting provider and server configuration.
Do not copy a PHP handler line from another server and assume it will work.
An incorrect handler can cause errors such as:
500 Internal Server ErrorIf your hosting provider gives you a specific PHP handler, use the syntax they provide.
How to Change PHP Version Using SSH
On a VPS or dedicated server, administrators can manage PHP versions through SSH.
The commands depend on:
- Operating system
- Distribution version
- Apache or Nginx
- PHP installation method
- PHP-FPM configuration
- Hosting control panel
For example, a server may have multiple PHP binaries:
php8.1
php8.2
php8.3Changing the command-line PHP version does not necessarily change the PHP version used by a website.
This is an important distinction.
CLI PHP vs Website PHP
You may run:
php -vand see one PHP version while your website uses another PHP-FPM version.
Therefore, changing the CLI version alone may not change WordPress’s PHP runtime.
What PHP Version Should WordPress Use?
The best PHP version depends on the versions supported by:
- Your WordPress release
- Your plugins
- Your theme
- Your hosting platform
- Your custom code
In general, you should use a currently supported PHP release that is compatible with your complete WordPress stack, rather than choosing a version simply because it is the newest one available on the server.
Before switching, check the requirements of your important plugins and themes.
What Happens After Changing PHP?
In many cases, the change takes effect quickly.
However, depending on the hosting environment, you may need to restart or reload PHP-FPM or another server service.
After changing the PHP version, test the website thoroughly.
Check:
Frontend
- Homepage
- Blog posts
- Pages
- Images
- Search
- Navigation
- Forms
WordPress Dashboard
- Login
- Posts
- Pages
- Media Library
- Plugins
- Themes
- Settings
E-commerce Websites
If your website processes orders, also test:
- Product pages
- Cart
- Checkout
- Payment gateway
- Customer login
- Order emails
Common Problems After Changing PHP Version
1. White Screen or Critical Error
A plugin or theme may contain code that is incompatible with the new PHP version.
WordPress may display:
There has been a critical error on this website.Check the WordPress recovery mode notification or server/PHP error logs to identify the problematic component.
2. Deprecated PHP Warnings
Newer PHP versions can expose deprecated functions or coding practices in older plugins and themes.
The solution is usually to update the affected software or replace outdated code.
3. Plugin Stops Working
An older plugin may not support the PHP version you selected.
Check the plugin’s documentation and update it if a compatible version exists.
4. Theme Problems
Custom or outdated themes can also contain PHP code that doesn’t work correctly with newer versions.
Switching temporarily to a current default WordPress theme can help determine whether the theme is causing the problem.
5. Missing PHP Extensions
The new PHP version may not have all required extensions installed.
This can cause plugins or WordPress functionality to stop working.
Ask your hosting provider to verify the required PHP extensions.
How to Troubleshoot a Broken WordPress Website
If the website breaks immediately after changing PHP, don’t panic.
Step 1: Check Error Logs
Look at your hosting panel’s PHP or server error logs.
Step 2: Identify the Error
Look for messages mentioning:
- Plugin names
- Theme files
- PHP functions
- Fatal errors
- Missing classes
- Missing extensions
Step 3: Disable the Problematic Plugin
If the error identifies a plugin, temporarily disable it.
Step 4: Check the Theme
If the error points to the theme, switch to a compatible default theme.
Step 5: Roll Back PHP Temporarily
If you cannot resolve the compatibility problem quickly, switch back to the previous PHP version.
Use this as a troubleshooting step rather than a permanent solution if the previous version is outdated or unsupported.
PHP Version Changes and WordPress Performance
Changing PHP versions can affect performance, but the result depends on the entire hosting environment.
Performance is influenced by:
- PHP version
- CPU resources
- RAM
- WordPress configuration
- Plugins
- Theme
- Database queries
- Object caching
- Page caching
- CDN
- Server software
Therefore, simply changing PHP versions should not be treated as a guaranteed solution for a slow website.
If performance is the goal, measure the website before and after the change.
Best Practices When Changing PHP Version
Follow these recommendations to reduce the risk of problems:
1. Back Up First
Always create a recent backup.
2. Test on Staging
Use a staging environment whenever possible.
3. Update WordPress Components
Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated.
4. Check Compatibility
Review requirements for critical plugins and themes.
5. Change One Major Variable at a Time
Avoid changing PHP, the database server, web server, plugins, and themes simultaneously.
6. Monitor Error Logs
Watch PHP and web server logs after the change.
7. Test Important Features
Don’t just check whether the homepage loads. Test the functions your visitors actually use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change PHP version from WordPress?
Usually, no. PHP is controlled by the hosting/server environment rather than the WordPress dashboard. Some hosting platforms provide PHP management tools separately.
Will changing PHP version delete my WordPress website?
Changing the PHP version normally does not delete WordPress files or the database. However, incompatible code can cause errors, which is why a backup is important.
Can I change PHP version in cPanel?
Yes, if your hosting provider has enabled PHP version management. You may find the option under MultiPHP Manager, PHP Selector, or a similar tool.
Can I change PHP version in DirectAdmin?
Yes, when the server administrator has enabled PHP version selection. The exact interface depends on the DirectAdmin configuration.
What if my website breaks after changing PHP?
Check PHP and WordPress error logs, identify the incompatible plugin or theme, and temporarily switch back to the previous PHP version if necessary while troubleshooting.
Does changing PHP version improve WordPress speed?
It can contribute to better performance in some environments, but the actual result depends on the website, PHP version, hosting resources, plugins, theme, caching, and other factors.
Final Thoughts
Changing the PHP version is an important part of maintaining a modern WordPress website. A supported PHP release can provide security improvements, compatibility with newer software, and potential performance benefits.
However, PHP version changes should be treated as a server-level change rather than a simple WordPress setting. Always create a backup, check plugin and theme compatibility, and test the website after switching versions.
For websites hosted on cPanel or DirectAdmin, the process is usually straightforward when the hosting provider provides a PHP version selector. On VPS or dedicated servers, administrators may need to configure PHP-FPM, web-server settings, extensions, and virtual hosts manually.
The safest approach is simple: backup → test → change PHP → verify → monitor. This minimizes downtime while keeping your WordPress environment current and maintainable.