Since the dawn of content management systems at the turn of the 21st century, people have questioned the need for regular technical maintenance. Website owners who build WordPress sites are responsible for creating compelling content and growing their audience—why would they need to worry about backend technical details like server configurations? Over the years, however, keeping core software updated has proved essential, and not just because site owners are too busy, inexperienced, or nervous about breaking their sites. In the early days of WordPress, PHP updates were infrequent and rarely discussed, but today they're recognized as critical for security and performance.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Updating PHP for WordPress
Updating your WordPress site's PHP version might seem intimidating, but it's actually a straightforward process when you follow the right steps. Before beginning, I always recommend creating a full backup of your website—this gives you a safety net if anything goes wrong during the update process. You'll also want to check your current PHP version and verify that your theme and plugins are compatible with the newer PHP version you plan to install.
- Step 1: Log into your web hosting control panel (typically cPanel or similar)
- Step 2: Navigate to the PHP configuration section, often labeled "PHP Version" or "PHP Selector"
- Step 3: Select your desired PHP version from the available options (choose the latest stable version that your hosting provider offers)
- Step 4: Apply the changes and check your website thoroughly to ensure everything functions correctly
- Step 5: Test all major site features, including forms, shopping carts, and contact pages to confirm compatibility
If you encounter any issues after updating, you can temporarily revert to the previous PHP version while you troubleshoot the problematic theme or plugin. Most modern hosting providers make this rollback process simple through their control panel interface.
What happens if I don't update PHP in WordPress?
Running outdated PHP versions exposes your WordPress site to significant security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Older PHP versions lack security patches for known exploits, making your website an easy target for malware injections and data breaches. Beyond security concerns, outdated PHP can cause compatibility issues with newer WordPress versions, themes, and plugins.
Performance is another major factor—newer PHP versions can make your site load two to three times faster, providing better user experience and potentially improving your search engine rankings. If you're working with custom functionality, you might find that managing WordPress security settings becomes more challenging when using deprecated PHP functions that are no longer supported in modern coding practices.
How do I check my current PHP version in WordPress?
You can check your current PHP version through several methods. The simplest approach is to look in your WordPress admin dashboard under Tools > Site Health > Info, then scroll to the Server section where your PHP version is displayed. Alternatively, you can check through your hosting control panel or create a simple PHP info file. Many hosting providers also display this information in your account dashboard.
Understanding your current PHP version helps you plan the upgrade process effectively. If you're preparing to make significant changes to your site's functionality, you might want to explore adding document files to WordPress as part of your overall site improvement strategy after ensuring your PHP environment is up to date.
What PHP version should I use for WordPress?
WordPress officially recommends using PHP 7.4 or higher, but ideally you should run the latest stable version available from your hosting provider. The WordPress core development team actively tests and optimizes for recent PHP versions, and each new release brings significant performance and security improvements. The following table shows the performance benefits of newer PHP versions compared to older ones:
| PHP Version | Relative Performance | Security Support Status |
|---|---|---|
| PHP 5.6 | 1x (Baseline) | End of Life |
| PHP 7.4 | 2x Faster | Security Support Only |
| PHP 8.0 | 3x Faster | Active Support |
| PHP 8.1+ | 3x+ Faster | Fully Supported |
When considering technical requirements for your site, it's worth noting that WordPress programming foundation relies heavily on PHP, making version compatibility a crucial factor in your site's overall health and performance.
Will updating PHP break my WordPress site?
Updating PHP can potentially cause issues if your theme or plugins aren't compatible with the newer version, but proper preparation minimizes this risk. The most common problems include deprecated functions that no longer work, syntax changes that affect custom code, and extensions that aren't available in the newer PHP version. Before updating, always check your theme and plugin documentation for compatibility information and test the update on a staging site first.
If you're concerned about site functionality after PHP updates, you might want to consider extending WordPress sidebar functionality as part of your testing process, since widget areas often rely on PHP code that could be affected by version changes.
How often should I update PHP for WordPress?
You should check for available PHP updates every 6-12 months, as hosting providers frequently add support for newer versions. Unlike WordPress core updates that happen automatically for minor releases, PHP updates typically require manual intervention through your hosting control panel. Staying current ensures you benefit from the latest security patches and performance enhancements while maintaining compatibility with WordPress updates.
Regular maintenance like PHP updates often goes hand-in-hand with other site improvements, such as duplicating WordPress menu structures when redesigning your site's navigation after ensuring your technical environment is optimized.
Professional WordPress Services at WPutopia
At WPutopia, we understand that managing technical updates like PHP versions can be time-consuming and stressful for website owners. Our WordPress maintenance services handle all these updates for you, ensuring your site remains secure, fast, and compatible with the latest technologies. We perform comprehensive compatibility testing before any updates and maintain regular backups so your site is always protected.
Beyond PHP updates, we offer complete WordPress management including theme upgrades, plugin installation, security monitoring, and performance optimization. Whether you need help with a specific technical issue or want to hand off all WordPress maintenance tasks, our team has the expertise to keep your site running smoothly. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you maintain a healthy, high-performing WordPress website.
