A common but often overlooked issue that website owners face is a PHP version mismatch. If your website suddenly stops working after a server upgrade or plugin installation, there’s a high chance it’s due to an incompatible PHP version. In this guide, we’ll explain what causes PHP version issues, how they impact your WordPress site, and most importantly how to fix them directly from your cPanel account.

What Is a PHP Version Mismatch?

PHP is the programming language that powers WordPress and many other content management systems. Like any software, PHP gets updated over time. These updates improve performance, security, and introduce new features while sometimes removing outdated ones.
A PHP version mismatch occurs when your website’s code (themes, plugins, CMS) relies on functions that either:

• Do not exist in your current PHP version, or

• Have been deprecated or removed in newer versions

How Does It Affect Your Website?

A mismatch can break your website in several ways:

• White Screen of Death (WSOD): The website appears blank, often with no error.

• 500 Internal Server Error: The server can’t process a script due to version conflicts.

• Deprecated Function Warnings: Obsolete PHP functions are still being used.

• Plugin/Theme Incompatibility: Newer plugins might require PHP 8.x, but your site is still running PHP 7.3 or older.

Common Error Messages:

• Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function

• Parse error: syntax error, unexpected token

• Deprecated: Function xyz() is deprecated

How to Check Your Current PHP Version in cPanel

1. Login to cPanel
   Use the credentials provided by your hosting provider to access your cPanel dashboard.

2. Search for “Select PHP Version”
   You’ll usually find this under the “Software” section. Click it.

3. View Current Version
   At the top, you’ll see the PHP version currently applied to your account or specific domain.

How to Change PHP Version from cPanel (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how to safely switch to the correct PHP version for your website:

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

Navigate to your hosting account’s cPanel.

Step 2: Open “Select PHP Version” or “MultiPHP Manager”

Depending on your hosting environment, you’ll either see:

• Select PHP Version (common on CloudLinux-based hosts)

• MultiPHP Manager (used by hosts with EasyApache 4)

Method A: Using Select PHP Version

1. Go to “Select PHP Version”

2. In the drop-down, choose the PHP version (e.g., 8.1 or 7.4)

3. Click Set as Current

4. Save settings

Tip: Test compatibility on a staging site before changing the version on your live site.

Method B: Using MultiPHP Manager

1. Go to “MultiPHP Manager”

2. Check the box next to your domain

3. Select the desired PHP version from the drop-down

4. Click Apply

This immediately applies the selected PHP version to the domain.

Which PHP Version Should You Use?

As of 2025, PHP 8.1 and PHP 8.2 are widely supported by most WordPress themes and plugins.

• Use PHP 8.1 or 8.2 if your site and plugins support it

• Use PHP 7.4 only if you’re running older code that hasn’t been updated

• Avoid anything older than PHP 7.4—these versions no longer receive security updates

Test After Switching Versions

After changing your PHP version:

• Visit your website homepage

• Check your WordPress admin panel

• Test essential features like forms, sliders, and checkout pages (if e-commerce)

If your site is broken:

• Revert to the previous version

• Check error logs in cPanel under Errors or Raw Access Logs

• Update themes/plugins or consult your developer

Benefits of Using the Right PHP Version

Faster website loading speed
Improved security and fewer vulnerabilities
Better support for modern plugins and themes
Lower CPU usage on your hosting account

Pro Tips for Site Owners

• Backup first: Always take a full backup before changing the PHP version.

• Keep everything updated: Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins.

• Monitor errors: Use the Errors log in cPanel to catch issues early.

When to Contact Support

You should reach out to your hosting provider if:

• Your site doesn’t load after changing the version

• You’re unsure which PHP version is compatible

• You see persistent 500 or WSOD errors even after reverting

Support teams can manually analyze logs or adjust configurations for you.

Conclusion

A PHP version mismatch can cause major issues but the good news is that it’s easy to identify and fix using cPanel. As a website owner, understanding how PHP versions affect your site’s performance and compatibility gives you more control and confidence in managing your hosting environment.
Stay updated, stay backed up, and you’ll avoid the most common PHP pitfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is PHP and why does it matter for my website?
PHP is the scripting language that powers your WordPress site. It’s responsible for processing your content, handling forms, and displaying your website to visitors. An outdated or incompatible version can break essential functions.

2. How do I know if my site is facing a PHP version issue?
Common symptoms include a blank page, 500 internal server error, or plugin/theme errors. If your website stopped working after a server update or plugin installation, a PHP version mismatch could be the cause.

3. Can I update the PHP version myself or do I need a developer?
If you use cPanel, you can update the PHP version yourself using the “Select PHP Version” or “MultiPHP Manager” tool. No coding knowledge is required, but taking a backup first is strongly recommended.

4. Will changing the PHP version affect my live website immediately?
Yes, the change takes effect as soon as you apply it. That’s why you should test critical features (e.g. contact forms, checkout pages) right after making the change.

5. What is the best PHP version for WordPress in 2025?
As of now, PHP 8.1 or 8.2 is recommended for most WordPress sites. These versions offer better speed and security, and most modern themes/plugins are compatible with them.

6. What if my site breaks after changing the PHP version?
You can switch back to the older version via cPanel. Also, check error logs in the cPanel dashboard to find out which plugin or theme is incompatible.

7. Are there any risks in using an older PHP version like 7.3 or 7.4?
Yes. Older versions no longer receive security updates, which makes your site vulnerable to attacks. They may also be slower and unsupported by newer plugins or themes.

8. Will updating the PHP version delete any of my website files?
No, updating PHP doesn’t delete files. It only changes how the server processes PHP code. However, outdated code might stop working if it uses deprecated functions.

9. Do I need to update WordPress and plugins before changing PHP versions?
Yes, ideally. Keeping WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated ensures maximum compatibility with newer PHP versions.

10. What if I don’t see the PHP selector in my cPanel?
Some hosting providers disable this tool for certain plans. In that case, you’ll need to contact your hosting support team to request a PHP version change.