{"id":83463,"date":"2023-04-13T14:59:26","date_gmt":"2023-04-13T14:59:26","guid":{"rendered":"\/tutorials\/?p=83463"},"modified":"2026-09-03T12:49:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T12:49:04","slug":"how-to-update-php-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-update-php-wordpress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to update PHP in WordPress safely"},"content":{"rendered":"

To update PHP in WordPress safely, first check that your WordPress version, theme, and plugins support the target PHP version, back up your site, and test the change on staging when possible. Then, update WordPress core, plugins, and themes before switching the PHP version in hPanel.<\/p>

After the update, test your site for compatibility issues and be ready to revert to the previous PHP version if something breaks. In this guide, we’ll walk through the complete WordPress PHP update process, including compatibility checks, backups, staging, WP-CLI preparation, hPanel configuration, and post-update testing.<\/p>

Download WordPress security checklist<\/a><\/p>

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Why update PHP in WordPress?<\/h2>

Updating PHP in WordPress helps keep your site compatible with current WordPress releases, plugins, and themes. As WordPress software evolves, developers may stop supporting older PHP versions or require a newer version for updates and new features.<\/p>

Using a supported PHP version also reduces the risk of compatibility and security issues caused by outdated software. However, updating PHP can expose problems in older plugins, themes, or custom code, so check compatibility before making the change.<\/p>

For this reason, a WordPress PHP update should be treated as a site-wide compatibility task rather than just a server setting change.<\/p>

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\n Pro Tip <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

As WordPress is based on PHP, you can insert custom PHP code<\/a> to enhance your website's functionality.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\n<\/p>

PHP version compatibility for WordPress<\/h2>

While WordPress supports multiple PHP versions, we highly recommend using the latest version of PHP to ensure your website remains secure and up-to-date. However, note that not all WordPress versions are compatible with newer PHP releases.<\/p>

Use the following chart to check whether your WordPress site supports the latest PHP version:<\/p>

WordPress Version<\/strong><\/td>Supported PHP Versions<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
5.0, 5.1<\/td>PHP 5.2, PHP 5.3, PHP 5.4, PHP 5.5, PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3<\/td><\/tr>
5.2<\/td>PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3<\/td><\/tr>
5.3, 5.4, 5.5<\/td>PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3, PHP 7.4<\/td><\/tr>
5.6, 5.7, 5.8<\/td>PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3, PHP 7.4, PHP 8.0*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
5.9, 6.0<\/td>PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3, PHP 7.4, PHP 8.0*<\/strong>, PHP 8.1*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
6.1, 6.2<\/td>PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3, PHP 7.4, PHP 8.0*<\/strong>, PHP 8.1*<\/strong>, PHP 8.2*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
6.3<\/td>PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3, PHP 7.4, PHP 8.0*<\/strong>, PHP 8.1*<\/strong>, PHP 8.2*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
6.4<\/td>PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2, PHP 7.3, PHP 7.4, PHP 8.0*<\/strong>, PHP 8.1*<\/strong>, PHP 8.2*<\/strong>, PHP 8.3*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

Note that the (*)<\/strong> symbol indicates the version of PHP is in the beta support phase or compatible but with exceptions, meaning you may encounter minor issues. Also, some themes and plugins may not support these PHP versions yet.<\/p>

How to update PHP in WordPress<\/h2>

Updating the PHP version in WordPress only takes several steps. However, you must be careful, as updating to an unsupported PHP version can break your WordPress website.<\/p>

In this section, we will show you the safest ways to update PHP.<\/p>

1. Check WordPress, theme, and plugin compatibility<\/h3>

Before updating PHP, confirm that your WordPress installation supports the PHP version you plan to use. WordPress core may support a PHP version even when some plugins, themes, or custom code do not.<\/p>

Start by checking your current WordPress and PHP versions in Tools → Site Health → Info<\/strong> in the WordPress dashboard. Then, verify that your WordPress version supports the target PHP version.<\/p>

Next, review your active plugins and theme for compatibility. Check their requirements and update history, especially if they have not been updated recently. Older plugins, themes, and custom PHP code are more likely to cause errors after a PHP upgrade.<\/p>

If any essential component does not support the target PHP version, update or replace it before proceeding. This reduces the risk of errors, broken functionality, or an inaccessible WordPress dashboard after the PHP change.<\/p>

2. Create a backup of your WordPress site<\/h3>

Back up your WordPress site before changing the PHP version so you can restore it if the update causes compatibility issues.<\/p>

Make sure the backup includes both your website files and database. Hostinger users can back up their WordPress site<\/a> directly from hPanel:<\/p>

    \n
  1. On hPanel, go to Files<\/strong> → Backups<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Choose the Generate new backup<\/strong> option → Select<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. A pop-up window will appear, asking for confirmation. Click Proceed<\/strong> to start the backup.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
    \"Generate<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
      \n
    1. Wait until the backup process is complete. It may take a while if your website has large amounts of data.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

      Another option is to create a backup by using a plugin like UpdraftPlus WordPress Backup Plugin<\/a>. Here is how:<\/p>

        \n
      1. Install and activate the UpdraftPlus plugin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Go to Settings<\/strong> → UpdraftPlus Backups<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Click the Backup Now<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Select the database and website files options on the pop-up window. Then, click the Backup Now <\/strong>button <\/strong>to confirm the action.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
        \"UpdfraftPlus<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
          \n
        1. The backup process might take a while, depending on the size of your WordPress website files and database.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

          Keep the backup available until you have confirmed that the site works correctly with the new PHP version. If the update causes errors that you cannot resolve quickly, revert to the previous PHP version and restore the backup if necessary.<\/p>

          3. Test the PHP update on a staging site<\/h3>

          Test the target PHP version on a staging copy of your WordPress site before applying it to the live website. A WordPress staging environment<\/a> lets you identify compatibility issues without affecting visitors.<\/p>

          Create a staging copy that matches your live site, including its WordPress version, active theme, plugins, and custom code. If the staging site runs on a subdomain, you can change the PHP version for that specific subdomain<\/a> to test the target version without changing the live site’s PHP configuration.<\/p>

          After switching PHP on staging, check the frontend and WordPress dashboard, test important forms and interactive features, and look for plugin or theme errors. If everything works as expected, proceed with preparing the live WordPress site for the PHP update.<\/p>

          If you encounter errors, resolve them on staging before changing PHP on the live site.<\/p>

          4. Update the WordPress core, themes, and plugins<\/h3>

          Update WordPress core, plugins, and themes before changing PHP, so your site uses versions more likely to support the target PHP release.<\/p>

          From the WordPress dashboard, go to Dashboard → Updates<\/strong> and install any available WordPress, plugin, and theme updates. If you manage WordPress from the command line, you can also use WP-CLI<\/a> to update these components.<\/p>

          After updating, check that the site still works correctly on its current PHP version. Pay particular attention to important plugins, your active theme, forms, checkout functionality, and any custom code.<\/p>

          If an essential plugin or theme cannot be updated or does not support the target PHP version, resolve that compatibility issue before proceeding with the PHP change.<\/p>

          Optional: Prepare WordPress for the PHP update with WP-CLI<\/h3>

          You can also use WP-CLI to check your WordPress environment and update WordPress components before changing PHP in hPanel.<\/p>

          First, connect to your site through SSH and navigate to the WordPress installation directory. Then, check the PHP environment used by WP-CLI:<\/p>

          wp --info<\/pre>
          Look for the PHP version<\/strong> entry in the output. Keep in mind that WP-CLI uses the command-line PHP environment, which may differ from the PHP version serving your website.<\/p>
          Next, update WordPress core, plugins, and themes:<\/p>
          wp core update\nwp plugin update --all\nwp theme update --all<\/pre>
          Check your site after completing the updates to make sure everything still works correctly.<\/p>
          WP-CLI prepares the WordPress installation for the PHP upgrade, but it does not change the PHP version used by your website. For Hostinger sites, make that change through hPanel as described in the next step.<\/p>
          5. Update the PHP version of your WordPress site<\/h3>
          Change the PHP version of your WordPress site in hPanel after confirming that WordPress core, your theme, and plugins support the target version.<\/p>
          Hostinger users can change the PHP version<\/a> from the PHP Configuration settings:<\/p>
            \n
          1. On hPanel, navigate to Advanced<\/strong> → PHP Configuration<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Select the preferred PHP version and click Update<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
            \"The<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
              \n
            1. Click Confirm<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
              \"Change<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
                \n
              1. Wait until the update process is complete.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                The new PHP version will apply to your live WordPress site. Don’t consider the update complete yet – test the site immediately afterward to make sure its frontend, WordPress dashboard, plugins, and other important functionality still work correctly.<\/p>
                6. Test your WordPress site after updating PHP<\/h3>
                Test your WordPress site immediately after changing PHP to confirm that the new version does not cause compatibility or functionality issues.<\/p>
                Check both the frontend and WordPress dashboard. Review the pages and features that matter most to your site, including:<\/p>