Would you like to change the PHP version of your WordPress website?
Using the most recent version of PHP in WordPress can dramatically enhance site speed and the user experience. Many web hosting providers make updating quite simple, but you should double-check a few things before proceeding.
In this post, we will guide you on how to upgrade the PHP version of your WordPress website simply.
Why Update Your WordPress Site’s PHP Version?
There are two main reasons for updating the PHP version on your WordPress site: security and speed.
- Security: Similar to how you update WordPress to safeguard against security vulnerabilities, updating PHP is crucial for maintaining the security of your site. An updated PHP version helps protect your site from potential security threats.
- Speed: Upgrading PHP often leads to significant improvements in website speed. Our PHP benchmark reports demonstrate the performance enhancements associated with upgrading PHP.
Not sure which PHP-version your site is running? You can check it in the MyKinsta dashboard Tools menu. Alternatively, you can use the WordPress Site Health tool to view the PHP-version.
How do you check the WordPress PHP Version?
To check the current version of your WordPress PHP-version, you need to open the WordPress dashboard > Tools > Site Health.
Now that you know your current version of PHP, let’s learn how to update PHP.
How to Update PHP Versions in WordPress (2 Easy Methods)
To update the PHP-version in WordPress, you can use one of the following methods: Both methods can be used to update PHP, while the second Method will guide you in updating PHP in the Nestify dashboard. The first Method is universal to anyone.
And if your web hosting dashboard is different from Nestify, then don’t worry; setting to update the PHP-version is fairly simple.
Now that’s clear, let’s get right into it!
Update PHP Versions in WordPress Using cPanel (1st Method)
Using cPanel to update can be tricky, but don’t worry, the following Method is simple.
To visit cPanel, you can either use one of the Methods:
- https://example.com:2083
- https://example.com/cpanel
- https://198.51.100.1:2083/
After that, go to the Software section and click on MultiPHP Manager.
Once you are in MultiPHP Manager, select the website that you want to update the PHP version, then select the latest PHP version and click on Apply.
Once applied, you’ll receive this green message on the top left.
Update PHP Versions in WordPress Using Nestify Dashboard (2nd Method)
Updating the PHP-version in Nestify is easy, simply login to your account and select the Site that you want to update.
For context, you can also see the PHP-version on the right side.
Once you’re in Manage Sites, go to Settings, select the latest PHP version, and hit Update PHP version.
And, hooray, you’re done! Now, let’s check the current version of PHP in Tools > Site Health.
Wrapping up
Updating your WordPress site’s PHP-version is critical for maintaining security, performance, and compatibility with the most recent features and technologies. By keeping your PHP-version up to date, you can safeguard your site from any security issues, improve its speed, and assure compatibility with the most recent WordPress plugins and themes. Updating your PHP-version is a simple operation that may considerably benefit your website in the long term, thanks to easy-to-follow instructions and tools in your WordPress dashboard or hosting provider’s control panel.
FAQs on PHP Version
What are the processes for updating the PHP version in WordPress?
The process for updating the PHP-version may differ based on your hosting provider. Generally, you may upgrade the PHP-version via your hosting control panel or dashboard. Take care to back up your site before starting the upgrade.
Will changing the PHP version affect my WordPress website?
Updating the PHP-version may compromise compatibility with plugins or themes that still need to be updated to support the most recent PHP-version. However, it is critical to maintain your PHP-version up to date for security and performance purposes.
What should I do if my website is experiencing problems after changing the PHP version?
If your site is experiencing problems after updating the PHP-version, you may attempt troubleshooting by disabling any plugins or themes that may be creating compatibility difficulties. You can also request your hosting provider or a WordPress developer for help.
When should I update the PHP version of my WordPress website?
You are advised to upgrade the PHP-version of your WordPress site whenever a new stable release is available. Regular updates guarantee that your Site is safe and runs efficiently.
