Hypertext Preprocessor, or PHP, is WordPress’s source scripting language. It enables customization and performance optimization. Every WordPress software, plugin, or theme is built using PHP. WordPress also uses PHP to allow sites to connect and communicate with their respective databases.
Long story short, PHP is the foundation of every WordPress site.
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Now imagine having a skyscraper on an old and not-looked-after foundation. What will be its faith? It will collapse at any time, right?
Similarly, if you’re running WordPress sites on older PHP versions, Doom’s Day is anywhere near you.
Developers must learn ‘how to update PHP in WordPress’ to make sure that:
- The website performance is optimized. With each update, PHP becomes optimized for load speed and comes with security patches for novel vulnerabilities.
- Your site is performing at par. Updated PHP versions mean robust security patching against novel PHP vulnerabilities, resulting in reduced security risks.
- You’re benefiting from the latest features. For instance, the upcoming PHP 8.4 version includes never-before-seen features such as array intersection with custom comparison callbacks, improved array union handling, and more.
- The site has no plugin or theme issues.
How to Check Current PHP Version
Before we discuss how to update the PHP version, let’s examine how you can check the current PHP version your WordPress site is running on.
There are four ways to do so and here is a quick overview of each method.
Method 1: Using The WordPress Dashboard
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to “Tools” > “Site Health.”
- Look for the “Server>PHP Version” section.
Method 2: Using the phpinfo() Function
- Create a new PHP file: In your WordPress root directory, create a new PHP file (e.g., phpinfo.php).
- Add the phpinfo() function: Inside the file, add the following code:
PHP
<?php
phpinfo();
?>
- Access the File: In your web browser, visit the URL of your WordPress site followed by /phpinfo.php. This will display detailed information about your PHP configuration, including the version.
Method 3: Using Hosting Panel
- Log in to your hosting dashboard.
- Navigate to “WordPress” > “Overview.”
- Locate the “PHP Version” section.
How To Update PHP Version in WordPress
Now that you know how to check your PHP version and why it’s crucial for performance, let’s dive into the next step—updating it!
The good news? Updating the current version of PHP is easier than you think. Here are a few ways to do it smoothly and with confidence.
- Traditional Way– Use hosting panels such as cPanel and Plesk or ask for the hosting provider to update the PHP version
- Modern Way– Using staging sites to test before deploying
At this point, you might be wondering:
Which of these two is the best method to update PHP in WordPress?
Well, we have the answer.
| Method | Traditional Way (Using cPanel/Plesk) | Modern Way (Using Staging Sites) |
| Meaning | Updating PHP in WordPress directly through the hosting panels. | Creating a duplicate site to test the updates before applying them to the live. |
| Pros | Easy and familiar for most of the users Immediate access to PHP configurations | Safe and risk-freeAbility to check the plugin/theme compatibility beforehand. |
| Cons | No pre-update testingCompatibility issues may not be visible until the updates go live | Requires more server resources Slightly more consuming due to setting up the staging site. |
| Risks Involved | High risk of downtime or errors due to live updates. | Low risks as changes are tested before applying to live |
| Process Complexity | Moderate | Moderate |
As we can see- if you want to update your PHP version without risking your site going down or breaking, the modern way is the way to go!
Staging sites let you test with zero stress, while the traditional method puts your live site at risk. Why gamble with downtime when you can update safely?
This video will help you understand more about staging sites.
And, if the cons of this method, such as time-consuming processes and more server resource requirements are holding you back, you need to learn to build staging sites fast- InstaWP staging site.
Staging environments here are:
- Fully secured and isolated to ensure your live site stays untouched
- Fully synchronized with the live site, ensuring changes are pushed to the live environment seamlessly
- Highly scalable, enabling developers to handle projects of any size
- Scannable to find out vulnerabilities in the core, plugin, and themes
The best part? You don’t have to pull an all-nighter to build a staging site to test the PHP updates. You can build:
- From scratch
- Use pre-built staging sites as templates and use them
- Select a suitable template from the store
No matter which method you choose, spinning up staging sites with InstaWP is a total breeze—done and dusted in under a minute!
Plus, you can customize everything, from the PHP version to the server locations and configuration. You automate everything and boost your productivity by 20%.
Have you ever felt so liberal while creating staging sites? We bet you didn’t!
How To Update PHP Version Using Staging Sites
Here is how you can update the PHP version in WordPress using InstaWP.
Step 1: Install the InstaWP Connect plugin on your live site. This plugin will help you connect your live site to the staging site.
For this, access your WordPress site’s dashboard.
- Go to the Plugin>Add New section.
- In the search bar, type ‘InstaWP Connect’ and then click on ‘Install’.
- Once the plugin is installed, activate it.
Step 2: Create a staging site. You can do it directly from your WordPress dashboard.
But, you have to connect with your InstaWP account for this.
- As you click on ‘Connect’ you will be directed to the InstaWP Dashboard.
- Approve the request to establish the connection between the live site and the staging site. Before you finish reading this line, the connection will be established.
Step 3: Next, update the PHP version of your staging site. For this, go to the InstaWP Dashboard and locate the staging site you’ve just created.
As you do so, click on the hamburger menu to open the drop-drop menu.
As you expand the menu, you will be able to see multiple options. Just click on ‘PHP Config’ to update the current PHP version in WordPress.
The current PHP version of our test site is 8.0. InstaWP allows you to change the current version of PHP to the most recent version, such as PHP version 8.3. Just simply select the version from the drop-down menu.
Easy peasy, right?
What makes InstaWP stand out is its ability to:
- Switch to beta PHP versions as well. PHP 8.4 is about to be released in November 2024 and you can test its beta version safely.
- Roll back any PHP version whenever you want. If your update doesn’t work out, you can instantly revert without missing a beat. Total flexibility and control—it’s like having a reset button for your site!
How to Update PHP Version Through Hosting Panels
The traditional method to update PHP in WordPress is to manually update through the control panel of the hosting services. Doing so is a no-brainer.
- Simply log in to your hosting dashboard and access control panels such as cPanel or Plesk.
- Navigate to ‘Control Panel Settings Software>PHP Version Manager.’
- Select the latest PHP version.
- Apply changes and the job is done!
But it’s a flawed method.
If the PHP version update causes errors, rolling back can be challenging without proper backups with manual PHP version updates. Also, if the update fails or isn’t applied properly, it could bring your site offline. You miss a step and you end up with a misconfigured site, which will be a huge mess.
If you don’t want to do the heavy lifting, you can simply ask for a PHP version update from your hosting provider. But, what if your hosting provider isn’t offering managed hosting?
Just switch to a managed hosting provider that provides automatic PHP version updates.
Managed hosting providers, like InstaWP Live, take the hassle away. Built exclusively for WordPress, it gives you access to the latest PHP versions, starting from 7.4. You can choose whichever PHP version suits your needs and go for a stream-free update with zero downtime.
As InstaWP Live is fully integrated with InstaWP, using staging sites for testing from pushing updates to live is a piece of cake.
That’s not the end of it. You get a bunch of smart development tools that come in handy when you want to check the current PHP version, update it, and take the site backup before updating the PHP version.
This tool arsenal includes:
- SSH enables you to securely connect to your server
- SFTP allows you to update PHP settings or modify configurations and take backups
- WP CLI commands automate everything- checking the current PHP version, updating core, plugins, & themes, and updating the PHP version.
In a nutshell, you control current PHP version updates. So, ditch the old manual method and embrace the smart choice—InstaWP and its managed hosting service!
What to Check After Updating PHP Version in WordPress
PHP version update done? Now comes the real test- to check everything is going smoothly. Follow the below checklist to ensure PHP version updates go ahead without messing up.
- Manually browse the site and check if there are any links, pages, or media that need to be fixed. Check the site load site to make sure the PHP version update hasn’t impacted its performance. A speed test can help here.
- Go to your WordPress dashboard and check if any plugins or themes are flagged as incompatible or require updates.
- Access your hosting panel and go to the Error Log section to figure out any issues related to the update.
- Use phpMyAdmin to check the status of your database and run basic operations.
Wrapping Up
Updating a PHP version in WordPress is one of the most crucial steps that developers need to take to upkeep the site’s health. However, taking the manual route can give you many nightmares, like the risk of breaking down the site or facing endless plugin incompatibility issues.
InstaWP and its managed hosting service are here to take this toll away, making updating current PHP versions in WordPress a breeze to handle.
So, check out the platform today and experience the no stress- no stress PHP version update process.
FAQs
What is PHP, and why should I update it?
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a server-side scripting language used by WordPress. Updating the current PHP version in WordPress improves the site’s performance, security, and compatibility.
How can I check my current PHP version?
You can check the current PHP version through the WordPress dashboard. Navigate to Tools>Site Health>Info. You can also check the current PHP version through the hosting control panel.
How can I update my PHP version in WordPress?
Traditionally, you can update the PHP version in WordPress manually using the hosting panel. However, using staging sites to update PHP version in WordPress is a secure way.
Is it safe to update PHP on my WordPress site?
Yes, updating the current PHP version is generally safe, especially if you use a managed hosting provider or use staging sites.
What should I do before updating the current PHP version?
Before you update the current PHP version, make sure you take a backup, test updates in a staging site before pushing them to live, and check for compatibility with plugins and themes.
How do I update the PHP version in WordPress using my hosting account?
To manually update the PHP version in WordPress using a hosting account, use control panels such as cPanel or Pleak. Go to PHP Version and select the desired PHP version from there.
Should I apply the PHP version directly on the live site?
No. Updating the PHP version in WordPress directly on the live site is a risky affair. You can break the site, face downtime, and even have to deal with plugin/theme incompatibility.
How often should I update my PHP version?
It’s recommended to update your PHP version regularly, ideally every few months or whenever a new stable version is released.