If your WordPress site isn’t working right, the problem might be your PHP version. PHP is the coding language that runs WordPress, and if it’s outdated or incompatible, you could face errors, broken plugins, or even a completely blank screen. That’s why resolving WordPress conflicts with the PHP version is so important.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything how to check your PHP version, update it, and fix any issues that come up. Don’t worry, we’ll keep things simple and easy to follow so you can get your site running smoothly again in no time. Whether you're troubleshooting or planning to buy WordPress themes for a fresh look, having an updated PHP version ensures your site stays fast, secure, and compatible.
Understanding PHP and WordPress Compatibility
PHP is the coding language that powers WordPress, helping it run smoothly. Every WordPress theme, plugin, and core function relies on PHP. If your site is using an outdated or unsupported version, you might run into errors, slow performance, or security risks.
WordPress recommends using PHP 8.0 or higher for the best speed and security. Older versions, like PHP 7.4, are no longer supported, which means they don’t get security updates.
Outdated PHP can cause plugin conflicts, broken themes, or even a site crash. That’s why resolving WordPress conflicts with the PHP version is so important. Keeping PHP updated helps your site stay fast, secure, and error-free.
Identifying PHP Version Conflicts In WordPress
Before resolving WordPress conflicts with the PHP version, you need to check which version your site is using.
An outdated or incompatible PHP version can cause errors, broken plugins, or even a complete site crash. Here’s how you can check your PHP version.
Checking PHP Version in WordPress Dashboard
The easiest way is through your WordPress dashboard. Just go to Tools Site Health Info and scroll down to the Server section. There, you’ll see your current PHP version. If it’s outdated, you’ll need to update it.
Checking PHP Version in Your Hosting Control Panel
If you can’t find it in WordPress, you can check through your hosting provider. Most hosting services offer a control panel like cPanel or Plesk.
In cPanel, go to Select PHP Version under Software, and you’ll see your current version. If your hosting provider has a different setup, check their documentation or ask their support team.
Signs of PHP Version Conflicts
If your PHP version isn’t compatible with WordPress or certain plugins, you might notice these issues:
Site Crashes or White Screen of Death:
If your site suddenly goes blank or won’t load, an outdated PHP version could be the cause.
Plugin or Theme Incompatibility:
Some plugins and themes require newer PHP versions. If they stop working or cause errors, your PHP might be outdated.
Error Messages Related to PHP Functions:
If you see messages like “undefined function” or “deprecated function,” it usually means your PHP version doesn’t support certain features.
If you notice any of these issues, updating PHP might fix them. In the next section, we’ll go over how to safely update your PHP version and avoid breaking your site.
How to Update Your PHP Version
Updating your PHP version is one of the best ways to keep your WordPress site running smoothly. It helps improve security, speed, and compatibility with themes and plugins. But before making any changes, you need to take a few precautions.
Backup Your Website First
Before updating PHP, always create a full backup of your site. This ensures that if anything goes wrong, you can restore everything quickly. You can back up your site using:
- A plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy
- Your web hosting’s backup option
- Manual backup via cPanel or FTP
Once you’ve backed up your site, you can safely update your PHP version.
Steps to Update PHP Using Different Hosting Providers
Each hosting provider has a slightly different process for updating PHP. Below are the steps for the most common hosting panels.
Updating PHP in cPanel
If your hosting provider uses cPanel, follow these steps:
- Log in to your cPanel dashboard.
- Scroll down to the Software section and click on Select PHP Version.
- You’ll see your current PHP version at the top. Click on the dropdown menu to select the latest recommended version (PHP 8.0 or higher).
- Click Set as current or Apply to save the changes.
- Test your website to make sure everything is working properly.
Updating PHP in Plesk
For hosting providers that use Plesk, here’s how to update PHP:
- Log in to your Plesk control panel.
- Go to Websites & Domains and select your site.
- Click on PHP Settings.
- In the PHP version dropdown, select the latest version.
- Click Apply and then OK to save changes.
- Visit your website and check if it’s working fine.
Updating PHP in Managed WordPress Hosting
If you’re using a Managed WordPress Hosting service like Kinsta, WP Engine, or SiteGround, updating PHP is even easier. Most managed hosting providers automatically update PHP, but if you need to do it manually:
- Log in to your hosting dashboard.
- Look for a section like PHP Management or Environment Settings.
- Choose the latest PHP version and save the changes.
- Wait a few minutes and then test your website.
Once you’ve updated PHP, check your website for any issues. Test your pages, plugins, and contact forms to make sure everything works properly. If something breaks or behaves unexpectedly, you could be facing WordPress plugin compatibility issues. In such cases, updating your plugins or themes to their latest versions often resolves the problem and restores full functionality.
By keeping PHP updated, you’re not just resolving WordPress conflicts with PHP version, you’re also making your site faster, more secure, and future-proof.
Fixing Issues After Updating PHP
Updating your PHP version is essential for a fast, secure, and well-functioning WordPress site. However, sometimes an update can cause unexpected issues. You might notice that some plugins stop working, your theme breaks, or you see error messages.
Don't worry, these problems are common and can usually be fixed with a few simple steps. Let’s go through how to handle plugin and theme issues, custom code conflicts, and when to roll back your PHP version if necessary.
Plugin and Theme Compatibility Issues
One of the most common problems after updating PHP is plugin or theme incompatibility. If a plugin or theme wasn’t designed to work with the latest PHP version, it might break or cause errors on your site.
Updating Plugins and Themes
The first thing you should do is update all your plugins and themes. Developers regularly release updates to ensure compatibility with the latest PHP versions. Here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Dashboard Updates.
- Look for any available updates under the Plugins and Themes sections.
- Click Update Now for each plugin and theme that needs an update.
After updating everything, check your website to see if the issues are resolved. If a plugin or theme still isn’t working properly, you may need to take the next step.
Replacing Outdated Plugins or Themes
Some plugins and themes may not be maintained by their developers anymore. If a plugin or theme hasn’t been updated for a long time, it may not work with the latest PHP version.
To check if a plugin is outdated:
- Go to Plugins Installed Plugins in your dashboard.
- Find the plugin and check when it was last updated.
- If it hasn’t been updated in more than a year, consider replacing it with an alternative that’s actively maintained.
For themes, go to Appearance Themes, find your active theme, and check for updates. If your theme is no longer supported, you may need to switch to a different one.
Custom Code Conflicts
If you or a developer have added custom code to your WordPress site, an update to PHP can sometimes cause errors. Newer PHP versions may no longer support certain functions that were used in older code.
Checking Error Logs for Deprecated Functions
If your site isn’t working properly after the update, checking the error logs can help you figure out what’s wrong. Most hosting providers give you access to error logs, which show details about what’s causing the issue.
To check error logs:
- Log in to your hosting control panel (like cPanel or Plesk).
- Look for the Error Log section under the Logs or Metrics category.
- Find the latest error messages related to PHP. If you see messages about “deprecated functions” or “fatal errors,” they could be causing the issue.
Updating Custom Code or Seeking Developer Help
If you find an error related to custom code, you might need to update it. Here are a few things you can do:
Replace deprecated functions
PHP often removes old functions and replaces them with newer ones. If your site is using an outdated function, you’ll need to find an alternative in the latest PHP documentation.
Fix syntax errors
Some older PHP code may not be written correctly for the new version. Updating the code can help resolve issues.
Get help from a developer:
If you’re not comfortable editing code, consider hiring a developer or reaching out to your theme/plugin support team for help.
Rolling Back PHP Versions If Needed
If you’ve tried everything and your site still isn’t working, you may need to temporarily roll back to an earlier PHP version. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it can give you time to fix the issues before updating again.
How to Roll Back PHP Version
- Log in to your hosting control panel.
- Go to the PHP Version Manager (this may be under Software in cPanel or PHP Settings in Plesk).
- Select an older version of PHP (for example, if you updated to PHP 8.1 and it caused problems, try switching back to PHP 8.0).
- Save the changes and check your website.
If your site starts working again after rolling back PHP, you now know that one of your plugins, themes, or custom code is incompatible with the newer version. You can then work on updating them before trying to upgrade PHP again.
Conclusion
Keeping your PHP version updated is crucial for your WordPress site's security, speed, and overall performance. While updates can occasionally lead to conflicts, resolving them is typically straightforward. More importantly, outdated PHP can leave your site vulnerable to threats so staying updated also helps remove WordPress malware risks by closing security gaps that hackers often exploit.
Regularly updating plugins, themes, and custom code can prevent many problems before they happen. It’s also a good idea to check error logs and test changes carefully.
If you're unsure how to fix something, don’t hesitate to seek expert help. By staying proactive with site maintenance, you can ensure your website runs smoothly, remains secure, and keeps up with the latest WordPress improvements. Investing in a reliable WP theme bundle can also simplify things, offering you access to multiple professionally designed themes that are regularly updated and optimized for performance.
