PHP is the programming language that powers your WordPress site
Always create a full backup and run a compatibility check before updating PHP
Update PHP through your hosting control panel (usually cPanel)
Test your website thoroughly after updating
Outdated PHP versions create security risks
Your WordPress dashboard is showing a warning about your PHP version being outdated.
Perhaps you’ve read that old PHP makes your site vulnerable to hackers, or you’ve noticed your pages loading slower than they should.
Either way, you need to act.
Updating PHP is straightforward when you follow the right steps. The process itself takes just a few minutes, though the preparation beforehand is what keeps your site safe.
This guide walks you through checking your current PHP version, preparing your site properly, updating PHP through your hosting account, and troubleshooting any problems that might appear.
Table of Contents
What Is PHP and Why Does Your WordPress Site Need It?
PHP is a programming language, and WordPress is built using it. This means PHP runs in the background every time someone visits your website.
When a visitor clicks on a page, PHP processes the request, fetches content from your database, and displays the finished page in their browser.
Why PHP Matters for WordPress
Think of PHP as the engine running your WordPress site. Newer versions run more smoothly and efficiently, just like a modern car engine outperforms one from twenty years ago.
Each new PHP version brings three main benefits:
Speed improvements. PHP 8.3 is significantly faster than older versions like 7.4. Your pages load more quickly, which keeps visitors happy and helps your search rankings.
Security patches. Older PHP versions stop receiving security updates. Running outdated PHP is like leaving your front door unlocked. Hackers know the vulnerabilities and can exploit them.
Compatibility. Plugin and theme developers build their products for current PHP versions. Outdated PHP eventually causes conflicts that break features on your site.
As of December 2025 WordPress recommends PHP 8.3 or higher, with PHP 8.3 being the current best choice.
If you’re running anything below PHP 8.1, your site needs attention. Versions 7.4 and earlier have reached end-of-life and no longer receive any security updates.
How to Check Your Current PHP Version
Before you update anything, you need to know what version you’re currently using. WordPress makes this simple with a built-in tool.
Using the WordPress Site Health Tool
You don’t need any plugins for this. WordPress shows your PHP version in about 30 seconds.
- Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
- Go to Tools in the left sidebar
- Click Site Health
- Select the Info tab at the top
- Scroll down and click to expand the Server section
- Look for the line labelled PHP version
Your current PHP version number appears here. If it shows 8.1 or higher, you’re in reasonable shape for now. If you see 8.0, you should plan to update soon. Anything showing 7.4 or lower needs immediate attention.
The Site Health page might also display a warning at the top if your PHP version is particularly old. Take these warnings seriously.
Checking PHP Version via Your Hosting Control Panel
You can also check your PHP version directly through your hosting account. If you use cPanel (which most UK hosting providers offer), log in and look for a section called Software or Select PHP Version. The current version appears there.
This method is useful because you’ll need to access your hosting control panel to change the PHP version anyway.
Before You Update: Preparation Steps
Take 15 minutes to prepare properly. This small investment could save you hours of troubleshooting later.
Create a Complete Backup
Before making any changes to your WordPress site, create a full backup. This means all your files and your database.
If the PHP update causes problems, you can restore this backup and your site will return to exactly how it was before. Without a backup, you might lose work or struggle to fix issues.
Backup options:
- Use your hosting provider’s backup feature (most hosts include this)
- Install a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration
- Download your files via FTP and export your database through phpMyAdmin
Store your backup somewhere other than your hosting account. Cloud storage or your own computer work well.
How to Backup Your WordPress Site
Check Plugin and Theme Compatibility
Older plugins and themes sometimes don’t work with newer PHP versions. A compatibility issue could break your site after updating.
Before updating PHP:
- Update WordPress itself to the latest version
- Update all your plugins
- Update your active theme (and parent theme if you use a child theme)
- Delete any plugins and themes you’re not using
Run a compatibility check:
Install the PHP Compatibility Checker plugin by WP Engine.
This free tool scans your plugins and themes to identify potential problems with specific PHP versions. It catches most issues before they break your site, though it may occasionally miss something or flag false positives.
If the checker flags problems with plugins you rely on, you have two choices: find alternative plugins that support newer PHP, or contact the plugin developers to ask about updates.
How to Update PHP in WordPress
The update itself takes less than a minute once you’ve prepared. You cannot update PHP from within WordPress. You need to make this change through your hosting account control panel.
Updating PHP via cPanel
Most hosting providers use cPanel. The process is similar across different hosts, though the exact menu names might vary slightly.
Log into your hosting account and open cPanel. Your hosting provider will have instructions if you’re unsure how to access it.
Find the PHP settings. Look for one of these options in the Software section:
- MultiPHP Manager
- Select PHP Version
- PHP Version Selector
Select your domain. If you have multiple websites, tick the checkbox next to the domain you want to update.
Choose the new PHP version. Use the dropdown menu to select PHP 8.2 or 8.3 (whichever is available and recommended).
Apply the changes. Click the Apply button. The update happens immediately.
Verify the change. Go back to your WordPress Site Health tool and confirm the new version is showing.
Updating PHP via Other Hosting Panels
Not all hosts use cPanel. Here’s guidance for other common setups:
Plesk: Go to Websites & Domains, find your site, click PHP Settings, and select the version.
Managed WordPress hosting (like 20i, Starter, or Cloudways): These often have custom dashboards. Look for a Tools or PHP section, or search your host’s knowledge base for specific instructions.
Can’t find the option? Some budget hosting plans restrict PHP changes. Contact your hosting provider’s support team. They can usually update PHP for you, or explain why it’s not available on your plan.
Using a Staging Site First
If your website is particularly important to your business, consider testing on a staging site first.
A staging site is an exact copy of your website where you can try updates without affecting your live site. Many hosting providers include staging features, or you can create one using a plugin like WP Staging.
Test the PHP update on your staging site, check everything works, then apply the same update to your live site with confidence.
What to Do After Updating PHP
Don’t assume everything is fine just because the update completed without errors. You need to check your site works properly.
You should do this using your browser’s incognito mode.
Testing Your Website
Spend 10 minutes clicking around your site. Check your most important pages and any forms or shopping features.
Front-end checks:
- Homepage loads correctly
- Individual posts and pages display properly
- Images appear as expected
- Navigation menus work
- Contact forms submit successfully
Admin area checks:
- You can log in without problems
- The dashboard displays normally
- You can edit and publish posts
- Media uploads work
- Plugin settings pages open correctly
If you run WooCommerce:
- Product pages display correctly
- Add to cart works
- Checkout process completes
- Payment pages function properly
Look for error messages, white screens, or strange behaviour. If everything works, you’re finished. If you spot problems, the troubleshooting section below will help.
WordPress Error Fixes
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Don’t panic if you see an error after updating PHP. Most problems are caused by one outdated plugin, and they’re usually straightforward to fix.
White Screen or Error Messages
If your site shows a white screen or error message after updating PHP, a plugin or theme isn’t compatible with the new version.
First step: Log into your hosting cPanel and change PHP back to your previous version. This should immediately restore your site.
Next: With your site working again, you need to find the incompatible plugin or theme. You can then update it, replace it, or contact the developer before trying the PHP update again.
How to Fix the WordPress Critical Error
Deactivating Plugins to Find Conflicts
If you can still access your WordPress admin:
- Go to Plugins and deactivate all plugins
- Try the PHP update again
- If the site works, reactivate plugins one by one
- The plugin that breaks your site is the problem
If you can’t access your admin area:
- Access your site via FTP or your hosting file manager
- Go to wp-content/plugins
- Rename the plugins folder to plugins-old
- This deactivates all plugins at once
- Try accessing your site again
Once you identify the problematic plugin, look for alternatives or check if the developer has released an update. Don’t keep running outdated PHP just because one plugin doesn’t work. That plugin is now a security risk itself.
Keep PHP Updated
Updating PHP isn’t a one-time job.
New versions are released annually, and old versions lose security support after about three years.
PHP 8.1 reaches end-of-life in late 2025, meaning it will stop receiving security updates. PHP 8.2 follows in late 2026.
Staying one version behind the newest release is generally safe and gives plugin developers time to ensure compatibility.
Check your PHP version every few months as part of your WordPress maintenance routine.
When WordPress shows warnings about your PHP version, act on them promptly. The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll encounter compatibility issues with plugins and themes.
If managing WordPress updates feels like too much on top of running your business, a maintenance service handles all of these updates for you.
Regular updates to WordPress core, plugins, themes, and PHP keep your site secure without demanding your time.
PHP Versions
Supported PHP Versions – www.php.net/supported-versions.php
WordPress Requirements – en-gb.wordpress.org/about/requirements/
Frequently Asked Questions
PHP is a programming language that WordPress is built with. Every time someone visits your site, PHP processes the request and delivers the page. Without PHP running on your server, WordPress simply wouldn’t work. Your hosting company provides PHP as part of your hosting package.
Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Tools, then Site Health. Click the Info tab and expand the Server section. Your PHP version is listed there. The whole process takes about 30 seconds and doesn’t require any plugins.
WordPress recommends PHP 8.3 or higher, with 8.3 being the current best option. At minimum, you should be running PHP 8.1. Anything below 8.0 is outdated and no longer receives security updates, which puts your site at risk.
Problems can happen but are uncommon if you prepare properly. Issues usually happen when plugins or themes use old code that doesn’t work with newer PHP. Always backup your site before updating, run a compatibility check, and keep your plugins and themes current to minimise risk.
No, you cannot change PHP from within WordPress. PHP runs on your hosting server, so you need to make changes through your hosting control panel (usually cPanel). Your hosting provider controls which PHP versions are available to you.
Create a complete backup of your site including files and database. Then update WordPress core, update all plugins, and your theme to their latest versions. Finally, run the PHP Compatibility Checker plugin to identify potential problems before you make the change.
The update itself takes just seconds once you click Apply in your hosting control panel. However, you should allow 15-30 minutes total for preparation (backing up) and testing (checking your site works properly afterwards).
Yes, each website needs PHP updated separately, even if they’re all on the same hosting account. Check each domain’s PHP version through your hosting control panel and update them individually. Some hosts let you update multiple domains at once.
Check your PHP version every few months. Major PHP versions are released annually, but you don’t need to update immediately when new versions appear. Wait a month or two for plugin developers to ensure compatibility, then update. Don’t ignore WordPress warnings about outdated PHP.
If you’re comfortable following instructions and can access your hosting control panel, you can do this yourself. However, if your site is business-critical, you’ve had problems with updates before, or you don’t have time to troubleshoot potential issues, professional help is worth considering.
Related: 5 Warning Signs That Your WordPress Site Needs Maintenance