Updating the PHP version of your WordPress website is a critical step in improving site speed, enhancing security, and ensuring compatibility with the latest themes and plugins. Many WordPress users often overlook this process, but running your website on an outdated PHP version can lead to poor performance, vulnerabilities, and even site crashes.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to update your PHP version safely and efficiently — even if you’re not a developer.
🛠 Why Updating PHP Matters
PHP is the scripting language that powers WordPress. Each new version of PHP brings performance improvements, bug fixes, and stronger security. Running the latest supported version ensures that your website is faster, more secure, and optimized for modern plugins and themes.
✅ Benefits of Updating PHP:
Improved speed and performance
Better security and fewer vulnerabilities
Compatibility with modern themes and plugins
Smoother WordPress updates
🧩 Step-by-Step: How to Update PHP Version
1. Check Current PHP Version
Start by checking which PHP version your website is currently using. You can do this from your WordPress dashboard by going to:
Tools → Site Health → Info → Server
2. Backup Your Website
Before making any major changes, it’s crucial to back up your entire website (files + database). You can use plugins like:
UpdraftPlus
All-in-One WP Migration
BackupBuddy
3. Test Compatibility
Use a plugin like PHP Compatibility Checker to scan your themes and plugins. This ensures that they’ll work properly with the PHP version you plan to upgrade to.
4. Access Hosting Control Panel
Login to your hosting account (e.g., cPanel, Plesk, or a custom dashboard). Look for the section labeled something like “PHP Selector,” “MultiPHP Manager,” or “PHP Configuration.”
5. Choose the New PHP Version
Select the latest stable version supported by WordPress (currently PHP 8.1 or 8.2). Apply the changes and save.
6. Test Your Website
After updating, thoroughly test your website:
Check the homepage and inner pages
Login/logout functions
Contact forms, shopping carts (if any)
Admin dashboard performance
7. Monitor and Maintain
Continue to monitor site performance and error logs over the next few days. If something breaks, you can temporarily revert to the previous PHP version while resolving the issue.
💡 Extra Tips:
Always keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated before changing PHP.
Avoid outdated plugins or themes that haven’t been updated in years.
If unsure, ask your hosting support to handle the update — most will do it for free.
🙋♂️ Need Help?
If you’re not comfortable making these changes yourself, consider hiring a WordPress expert. A small mistake in PHP versioning can lead to downtime or functionality issues.
🤝 You can hire me too.
Contact
📩 Email: ceo@space-it.org
💬 WhatsApp: +8801968608985
🌐 Website: space-it.org