Is your WordPress PHP version outdated? Then this article is for you. If you are a beginner, chances are that you may not even know if it is or not. Do not worry, though.
In this guide, we will explain why it is important for you to update your php version. We will also provide a step-by-step process on how to run a WordPress php version check. Further, we will show you how to update to the latest php version for WordPress.
Why Updating the PHP Version in WordPress is Important
It’s common knowledge that an update to anything means to make it better, newer, or more secure. WordPress, as a software, provides timely updates for better performance, features, and security.
The same is applied to php. PHP, an acronym for Hypertext Preprocessor, is the scripting language that powers WordPress. It is also the language that most WordPress plugins and themes are written in. So if your site operates on an old version of php, it will be open to many vulnerabilities.
Let’s look at some major importance of an updated WordPress php version:
Performance Improvements
An updated php version for WordPress comes with new and improved features. Besides the new features, the newer versions are faster than the previous ones. So having an up-to-date php version is one sure way to boost your site’s loading speed. This will also, in turn, improve user experience on your website.
Security Enhancements
Losing your site to hackers is one of the worst things that can happen to a website owner. And with an outdated php version, you risk exposing your site to the many vulnerabilities that come with it.
On the other hand, an updated php version comes with better security patches and enhancements. In turn, your site will be less open to security threats and will be more fortified.
Compatibility with Themes and Plugins
Remember, we stated that most plugins and themes are written in the php language. The developers constantly update their products to support the latest php features.
So using an outdated php version can cause compatibility issues with your updated themes and plugins. As a result, you put your website at risk of developing errors, malfunctions, and site downtime.
How to Check Your PHP Version in WordPress
Now you understand the importance of having an updated php version, but have no idea if yours is outdated. So you’re wondering, “How can I check my PHP version?” There are different methods you can use to check your WordPress php version. Thankfully, we will go through each one of them.
Using a WordPress Dashboard
To begin, log in to your WordPress dashboard. On your Admin panel, head on to the Tools >> Site Health page.
On your site’s health page, switch to the “Info” tab, then scroll down to the “Server” section.
Click the drop-down button next to it to expand it.
This section will show the php version your WordPress website is running on at the moment. If it is outdated, you can then proceed to update it. But if it is up-to-date, you can leave it as it is.
Using a Plugin
Another way you can check your php version in WordPress is to employ the use of plugins. For this tutorial, we will be using the WP PHP Version Display by developer Arul Prasad J.
From your admin panel, go to Plugins >> Add New Plugin.
On the Add New Plugins page, type the plugin’s name in the search bar. Next, click on Install Now. After its installation, click on Activate.
Once it is activated, go to your WordPress dashboard and check the “At a Glance” section. In this section, the plugin will have your current php version displayed.
Checking Through the Hosting Control Panel
For this method, log in to the control panel (cPanel) of your hosting provider. In the “Software” section, click on Select PHP Version.
On the “PHP Selector” page, the current version of your WordPress PHP will be displayed.
How to Update PHP Version in WordPress
At this point, you already know your WordPress php version. And if it is outdated, you should read on to know how to update it.
Step 1: Backup Your Website
Making a full backup of your WordPress website is highly recommended before a major change or update. This is because, during an upgrade, something could go wrong. And when it does, you will want to have a version to fall back to.
Step 2: Check Compatibility with Themes and Plugins
The next step is to check the latest WordPress php compatibility with your updated plugins and themes. You can visit the plugins and themes developers’ websites to verify their compatibility with the latest php version.
Another way you can verify is to use the Plugin Compatibility Checker plugin. The downside to this plugin, however, is that it checks for only plugins and not themes.
After installing and activating the plugin, you will see the activated plugin in your admin panel. Hover your cursor over it and click on Plugin Compatibility Checker.
On the next page, scroll down to see the sheet containing the information on the plugins on your site. The sheet also displays WordPress supported php versions for the plugins on your site.
Using the filter above the sheet, you can choose to either see information on all plugins or activated or deactivated plugins.
Step 3: Update PHP Version Using the cPanel
To update your php version, log in to your control panel. In the “Software” section, click on Select PHP Version.
On the “PHP Selector’s” page, click the drop-down menu next to your current php version.
Step 4: Update PHP Version Using your Hosting Provider
We understand that the displays of control panels can be different. Some hosting providers also do not provide the option for their users to update the php versions themselves.
So if you could not find the option to do so through your cPanel, then contact your hosting provider. They will either do it directly or help you with instructions on how to go about it.
Step 5: Verify the Update
To verify the update, head back to your WordPress site. Ensure every part of your site is working just fine. The updated php version will be displayed on the Site Health Tool page. And if there are any issues or an update required, it will be displayed there too.
Troubleshooting Common Issues After PHP Update
So you have updated your php version on your WordPress website. Everything should be functioning as it should, right? Except that you are now having some issues with your website. We know we have stated the importance of updating your php version. But there are cases where the update could cause your site to break.
If this happens, your next course of action should be to look for the source of the issue. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
White Screen of Death
The White Screen of Death (WSOD) is actually a website owner’s worst nightmare. When this happens, you are met with a white, blank page on specific sections of your website.
The error can occur either on your WP admin panel or front end. It could also appear as a white screen with an error message. As a result, accessing the affected part of the site becomes impossible. Worse, it offers no clue of what went wrong.
If this happens to you, do not fret. Here are some common ways to fix this error after a php version update:
Check the Error Logs
When there is an error on your website, WordPress typically sends an email. This email provides information on the plugin or theme that caused it. Sometimes, though, the email does not provide any information about the error. Other times, there’s no email at all. If this happens, you can then check the error logs of your WordPress website.
The Error Log is a file that registers error messages and warnings on your website. As a result, you are able to identify and fix the issues.
To do this, log in to your cPanel. Next, scroll down to the “Metrics” section and click on Errors.
On the ‘Errors’ page, you will see the web server error messages displayed.
You can then identify the problematic plugin, theme, or code and fix it. But if you are not so tech-savvy, you can seek the help of your hosting provider.
Fixing a Problematic Plugin or Theme
If the problem is from a plugin or theme, you can easily fix it from your cPanel. Head on to the “Files” section and click on File Manager.
Next, head on to public_html >> wp-content. This is the folder that holds your site’s information, including plugins, themes, etc.
Open the plugins folder to access the plugins you have on your site.
Locate the problematic plugin and right-click on it. Next, select Rename to rename its folder.
Renaming the plugin will cause it to deactivate. And if that plugin was the problem, the error would disappear. You will then be able to access your WordPress dashboard again.
If the problem was from a WordPress theme, the same process can be applied to fix it. The only difference is that a default theme will be automatically activated on your site. This is due to a system in WordPress that does not allow the site to function without a theme.
Revert the PHP Version
If you do not want to go through the stress of these fixes, there’s no problem. Simply revert to the previous php version used by your website. This way, you are able to remove any conflict between the plugins, themes, and the php version.
You can then hold on till the plugin and theme developers fix the issue and announce an update.
Plugin or Theme Incompatibility
These are the most common culprits of issues. As we stated before, an outdated plugin or theme can cause compatibility issues. This is because they do not meet the latest php standard.
If this is your case, simply update the plugin/theme. And if there are no updates yet, you either replace the plugin/theme or revert to your previous php version. Afterwards, when the plugin/theme’s update is ready, you can then update them and your php version.
Database Errors
Are you facing a MySQL error after updating your php version? You should check if the MySQL extension is properly installed. To do this, go toTools >> Site Health, then switch to the “Info” tab.
Next, expand the “Database” section. Check if ‘mysql’ or ‘mysqli’ is listed under the database extensions.
If the extensions are not installed, go ahead and contact your hosting provider for help.
Confirm your WordPress Database Credentials
Another common cause of database errors is inaccurate database credentials. You can correct this from your wp-config.php file. This is the file that stores your database information and other high-level settings.
To access this file, log in to your hosting panel. In the “Files” section, click on File Manager. Next, locate your public_html file and scroll down to see the wp-config.php file.
Before editing the file, create a copy of the original file to save as a backup. To do this, click + Folder to create the new folder. You can name the folder with an easy-to-identify name.
Next, copy the wp-config.php file to the backup folder.
Insert the file path you wish to copy the file to in the dialog box that pops up. It should look like this /public_html/backup config/. Here, the “backup config” is the name of your backup folder.
Head back to the folder you created, and you will see the wp-config.php file you just copied. Rename the file to avoid confusion later.
With your backup created, you can now edit the wp-config.php file in your root directory. Right-click on the file and select Edit.
Look for the following lines in the wp-config.php file:
Ensure that your database information is correct. If there’s any incorrect one, change it and save your files. Afterwards, visit your website to see if the error is gone. If the error persists, it must be another issue.
Contact Hosting Provider
Your safest option will always be to contact your WordPress hosting provider. They will help you to either fix the problem or direct you on how to do it.
Best Practices for Maintaining Your PHP Version
Although a php update comes with its hurdles, its benefits are clearly undeniable. It is also an essential part of website maintenance. So here are tips for maintaining your php version:
Regular Updates
We have stated the benefits of updating your php version. So, ensure you stay up to date with php updates for better security and performance.
You should also make regular updates to your plugins, themes, and core files. This is to prevent potential conflicts, as some packages may not be compatible with the latest php version.
Periodic Compatibility Checks
This is very vital. You should test every php update in a staging environment first. Test for error logs, themes, and plugins compatibility issues and broken functionalities. This way, if there is any issue, you will be able to identify and solve it without it affecting your live website.
Once you are satisfied with every test, you can then extend the changes to the live site.
Conclusion
The importance of having an updated PHP version cannot be overemphasized. Running your WordPress site on the latest php version ensures better performance and site security. You also get to enjoy a faster site speed and improve your user experience.
Remember to make a full website backup before making any changes to your site. Also, always test every update in a staging environment before deploying to your live site. This will help to prevent any issues on your main website, should there be any.
Lastly, if you are skeptical about making the update yourself, simply reach out to your hosting provider to help you. Overall, we hope this article will help simplify the process for you. You can also reach out to our WordPress support team if you have any issues with your site.
FAQs
How Can I Find out if My Site is Running the Latest PHP Version?
Simply check your site’s health page, cPanel, or make use of a plugin. You can go through this article for detailed steps on how to do this.
Can I Update PHP on WordPress Without Access to Hosting?
Unfortunately, you cannot update your php version from your WordPress dashboard. So if you do not have access to your hosting, contact your hosting provider directly and ask for an update.
What happens if my Theme or Plugin is not Compatible with the Latest PHP Version?
Ensure that the theme or plugin is also up to date. If there are no latest releases yet, you may need to replace it with a different plugin/theme.
