Changing your PHP version in Managed WordPress
Updated 4 days ago
by
Tristan Payne
PHP is a programming language that forms the basis of many modern content management systems, including WordPress. Like any programming language, it is updated regularly, with newer versions typically bringing performance improvements, new features, and important security fixes. Older versions are eventually phased out and no longer supported.
Because WordPress, along with its themes and plugins, runs on PHP, the version your site uses can affect its performance, security, and compatibility.
This article explains how to change the PHP version for your site in your Managed WordPress dashboard.
- Log in to your Managed Wordpress Dashboard
- Click the "Edit Site" tab
- Scroll down to the "Which version of PHP do you want to use?" section
- Choose your preferred version from the dropdown.
- Click "Save"
- Done!
What if changing the PHP version breaks my website?
Changing your PHP version can occasionally cause issues, particularly if your theme or plugins aren't yet compatible with the newer version. The good news is that this is usually easy to resolve.
Changing the PHP version only affects how your site's existing code is interpreted on the server. It doesn't make any changes to your site's files, database, or content, so switching back is quick and safe.
If something does go wrong after changing the PHP version, simply follow the steps above to switch back to your previous version. Your site should then return to working order without any other changes being necessary.
