PHP is the foundation upon which WordPress runs, and keeping it updated is crucial for your website’s performance, security, and compatibility. Many WordPress site owners focus on updating themes and plugins but often overlook PHP, which can lead to vulnerabilities, slower performance, and potential conflicts with newer versions of WordPress and plugins.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to update PHP in WordPress safely. We’ll walk you through why it’s important, how to check your current PHP version, prepare for the update, and the safest methods to update PHP. Additionally, we’ll explore what to do if the update causes issues and discuss best practices for keeping PHP regularly updated.

Why Updating PHP in WordPress Is Important

PHP is the server-side scripting language that powers WordPress. Like other software, PHP releases new versions that offer performance improvements, security fixes, and new features. If your WordPress site runs an outdated PHP version, you miss out on these benefits.

One of the main reasons for updating PHP is security. Older PHP versions are no longer supported with security updates, making your site more vulnerable to attacks. Updating PHP ensures you have the latest security features to protect your website from threats.

Performance is another key factor. Each new version of PHP is more efficient than its predecessors. Running the latest version can improve your site’s speed and load times, critical for user experience and SEO rankings. This is especially important for WordPress enterprise websites, which often handle large amounts of traffic and data. PHP updates also ensure compatibility with the latest versions of WordPress, as well as new themes and plugins. Outdated PHP may cause conflicts that break functionality, making it harder to maintain a smooth-running site.

How to Check Your Current PHP Version in WordPress

Before updating PHP, it’s important to know which version your website is currently using. You can check this through your hosting provider’s control panel or directly in your WordPress dashboard.

Option 1: Using Your Hosting Control Panel

1. Log in to your hosting account — most hosting providers, such as cPanel or Plesk, offer a control panel.
2. Find the PHP Manager or PHP Version section, usually under “Software” or “Advanced” settings.
3. View your current PHP version — your PHP version will be displayed next to your domain name.

Option 2: Checking via WordPress Dashboard

If you prefer to check directly in WordPress, follow these steps:

1. Install a plugin like “Display PHP Version.”
2. Once installed, go to your WordPress dashboard.
3. Navigate to Tools > Site Health.
4. Click the Info tab and expand the Server section.
5. Your current PHP version will be displayed here.

Knowing your PHP version is crucial to determine if an update is necessary. It also helps you prepare for compatibility checks with your current plugins and theme.

Preparing for a PHP Update in WordPress

Some preparation is necessary before updating PHP to avoid potential issues that could break your website. To safeguard your site during the update process, follow these steps.

Back Up Your Website

The most critical step before updating PHP or making any significant changes to your site is backing it up. Backing up your WordPress website means saving a copy of your files, database, themes, plugins, and settings. If something goes wrong during the PHP update, you can easily restore your website to its previous state.

To create a backup, you can use plugins like UpdraftPlus, which allow you to schedule automatic backups or create one manually. Alternatively, your hosting provider may offer its backup tools. Always store the backup on an external server or cloud service, so you can access it even if your site becomes inaccessible.

Check Theme and Plugin Compatibility

Outdated themes or plugins can cause issues when updating PHP, as they may not be compatible with the latest version. Compatibility issues can lead to broken functionality or your website going down in the worst case.

To check for compatibility, you can use the PHP Compatibility Checker plugin. This tool will scan your website and notify you of any themes or plugins that may not work with the PHP version you’re updating. If any of your plugins or themes are incompatible, consider updating them before the PHP update. If updates aren’t available, you may need to find alternatives or consult the developers to avoid site disruptions.

How to Update PHP in WordPress (Manual Method)

Once you’ve backed up your website and ensured plugin and theme compatibility, you can update PHP. The process can be done manually via your hosting provider’s control panel. Follow these steps to update PHP safely:

1. Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk).
2. Find the PHP Manager or PHP Settings section.
3. Select your domain name from the list.
4. Choose the latest stable PHP version available—WordPress recommends using PHP 7.4 or higher.
5. Click Apply or Save to confirm the update.
6. After the update, test your website thoroughly to ensure everything functions correctly.

Sometimes, your hosting provider may offer an automatic PHP update option. However, the manual method gives you more control over the timing and version of the update.

What to Do if the Update Causes Issues

Even after thorough preparation, updating PHP can sometimes cause issues. These can range from plugin incompatibility to errors that affect your entire website. Here’s what you can do if you run into problems after updating PHP:

Troubleshooting Common PHP Update Problems

If your website isn’t functioning correctly after the PHP update, you can begin by troubleshooting common issues. Start by disabling all plugins and switching to a default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-One. Reactivate your plugins one by one to identify which one is causing the problem.

If the issue persists, check your error log (available in your hosting control panel) to identify the specific problem. Once pinpointing the issue, update the problematic plugin/theme or consult the developer for a fix.

Restoring From Backup

If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, your last option is to restore your website from the backup you created before updating PHP. Most backup tools, such as UpdraftPlus or your hosting provider’s backup service, allow you to restore your site within minutes. This will revert your site to its previous state, erasing the problematic update and quickly getting your site back online.

Restoring from backup ensures you can continue working on your website without worrying about permanent damage from the PHP update.

Best Practices for Regular PHP Updates in WordPress

Regularly updating PHP should become part of your routine WordPress maintenance. It ensures that your website remains secure and performs optimally and helps avoid compatibility issues with WordPress updates, themes, and plugins.

Here are a few best practices to follow for regular PHP updates:

• Keep plugins and themes updated — make sure all your WordPress components are updated before updating PHP to avoid compatibility issues.
• Test on a staging site — if possible, create a staging version of your website to test PHP updates before applying them to your live site. This ensures that any problems can be addressed in a non-public environment.
• Stay informed about new releases — set a reminder to periodically check for new PHP versions and update as soon as possible.

Keeping PHP updated improves your website’s performance and provides the best possible security protection for your WordPress site. Making PHP updates a regular part of your website’s maintenance will keep your site running smoothly and securely.