{"id":3777,"date":"2021-03-27T22:13:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-28T06:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/n6host.com\/blog\/?p=3777"},"modified":"2022-06-17T20:39:53","modified_gmt":"2022-06-18T04:39:53","slug":"how-to-update-php-in-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/n6host.com\/blog\/how-to-update-php-in-wordpress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Update PHP Version in WordPress Site Easily? (2 Methods)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is for all the website building maniacs and WordPress lovers, solely to uncover the myth of how to\u00a0<\/span>update PHP in WordPress<\/span><\/strong>, and before knowing how we should also know the why behind it. But before diving deep, let\u2019s explain the terms to the newbie. PHP is a hypertext processor; it is a widely used computer language that is supposed to be the best for web development and create super exciting web pages. And WordPress, of course, is a content management system, which is itself written in PHP and is useful for creating interactive websites, blogs, and apps as well.<\/span><\/p>

Now WordPress comes with different versions for PHP; almost every two years from the official server of PHP, a new version arrives, and along with it is required to update the PHP version for your WordPress sites. So\u00a0<\/span>how to upgrade the PHP version in WordPress<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0exactly? There are many methods present, but you will get the best for yourself here. So now, to clear the query of why we need to update the WordPress PHP, it is simple, it is just because of two sole reasons: security and another is the speed of the WordPress websites. If you do not have the recent versions of PHP, then your website might have a security leakage and may run slow, giving the visitors a hard time viewing your content. And loading time, as well as security measures, is one of those critical factors which any web browsers decide where to place your content on the search page! That is why it is so important to have an idea of how to do it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\nSuggest you read our article about web hosting vs wordpress hosting<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

What Is PHP on a WordPress Site?<\/p>

PHP is one of the popular programming languages for building a dynamic website. Programming codes are hidden behind the design. It performs as the neuron system of the website providing essential functions to the site. With PHP, many other programming languages have evolved recently.
The primary language in WordPress is PHP, which offers dynamic functions for the site. Other programming languages are used in the site’s construction that provides structure to the site, which includes the following.

\"What<\/p>

HTML and CSS<\/p>

Html and CSS are known as declarative languages executed in web browsers. A combination of both HTML and CSS works on the aesthetic and overall appearance of the site. It includes website layout, colors, text, images, and any other multimedia integration on site.
\"html<\/p>

JavaScript and PHP<\/p>

These are programming languages run on web servers. It is used to run dynamic functions of a site such as a click function, moving elements, dynamically changing page layout, animated buttons, navigation menus, etc.
WordPress is fully developing using PHP language. Everything you find on WordPress, including core functions, themes, plugins, and CMS, is programmed using PHP language. PHP is the engine of the WordPress content management system powering the entire system.
\"javascript
If you are willing to know a better alternative to wordpress<\/a><\/strong> , don’t miss this article!<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/em>

Pre-Requirements Before Updating the PHP<\/h2>\r\nThere is a few thing to do before knowing how to upgrade WordPress PHP version:\r\n

1- Backing Up Of The Website<\/h3>
Dynamic websites such as WordPress are built using inter-connected code. Minor changes to a single file could result in the malfunction of the entire website. Thus, it is advisable to take a backup of your site before performing any significant changes. Especially when performing PHP version upgrade procedures, backup is necessary to avoid unexpected errors.

\"backing
Top 2 reasons why you should take a backup before updating the latest version of PHP:<\/div>
  1. Themes and plugins are coded by third-party developers or agencies who might have missed some essential functions of WordPress required during an upgrade. When you perform a WordPress upgrade, the core gets updated, but the relationship between themes and plugins is not matched with the latest version. As a result, the WordPress site will malfunction, and it will not be accessible to the users until the problem is resolved. These kinds of errors are generally considered as compatibility issues with themes and plugins.<\/div><\/li>
  2. A minor issue can lead to various problems on site. Unforeseen events such as disconnection from the internet facility could make the script stop during an update. It will have a profound consequence on the overall site structure. You will lose control over your site, and now you have to go through long hours of error fixing process.<\/div><\/li><\/ol>\r\nIf you aim to know what is virtualization<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>, check this article out!<\/em>

    2- Check Your WordPress Site for Visible Errors<\/h3>
    After you finishing with the PHP version update, inspect the website to ensure everything is working fine. Compatibility issues could be easily visible on-site, making a site layout fails to perform a standard task. Additionally, functional errors on the contact us forms should be checked.

    \"check<\/div>

    3- Revert To an Earlier PHP Version If Necessary<\/h3>
    Visible errors on-site are a sign of possible compatibility issues between the latest PHP version and plugins. You might have to disable the plugin to gain access to your site again. Replace it with another plugin compatible with the latest PHP version.<\/div>
    If you need an older plugin active on-site, you may have to go back to an older version suitable for a plugin.

    \"revert<\/div>
    Follow this step to go back to an older version of the PHP:
    Step 1:<\/strong> Log in to the cPanel section of your server.
    Step 2:<\/strong> Visit the software section.
    Step 3:<\/strong> Find “Select PHP Version” in the section. Click the tab and go to the setting.
    Step 4:<\/strong> On the PHP setting page, you can select the required version and update the script.
    Step 5:<\/strong> You are done with the PHP version changes. Go to the website again and see if the error disappears. Clean cache after update and refresh site to see latest changes implemented on site.

    Now you know how to upgrade PHP version in WordPress<\/strong> safely and perform error checking.

    4- Choose a Host That Stays Current with PHP Versions<\/h3>Hosting providers are offering various kinds of services to the WordPress site. A new version of PHP is released after it is made available to the general public. Many hosts provide quick service than others.
    Hosting providers such as GoDaddy have come up with an entirely new WordPress hosting plan for users. Select a hosting service provider who is quick in upgrading the PHP version.

    \"choose

    5- Update the Themes and Plugins<\/h3>\r\n

    The themes and plugins for your website in WordPress are all written in PHP, so these might not function well after updating your WordPress PHP. So it is advised first to update these themes and plugins to their latest versions themselves, or else any issue might arise later. You can easily update the plugins by logging in to your WordPress dashboard and then clicking on updates, where you will be able to update all the themes and plugins used for your website.

    \"update<\/p>\r\n

    6- PHP Compatibility Checking<\/h3>\r\n
    After updating your themes and plugins, you can test their compatibility with the new PHP version. This can be done using the \u201cPHP Compatibility Checker.\u201d One can go to plugins, add New, and search PHP Compatibility Checker. Then install and activate this compatibility plugin. Then the next task for you would be to go to tools, then to PHP Compatibility, select the latest version of PHP, and then click on \u201cscan site.\u201d The plugin does all the work; it checks the compatibility of the new PHP version with your updated themes and other plugins. With this plugin, you can check the compatibility of selected plugins\/themes or scan all of them. If any problems are found, it will be notified straight away.

    \"php<\/div>

    If you are interested to know what is php web hosting<\/a><\/strong> , this article can help you!

    <\/em><\/p>\r\n

    How to Update PHP Version on WordPress Website?<\/h2>

    Now we have arrived at the stage of how to update WordPress PHP<\/strong>, well this can be done using three ways:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    1. Directly updating the <\/span>PHP version from the cPanel of your hosting server<\/span><\/li>
    2. Building a staging site<\/li>
    3. Contacting your hosting provider<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\"how

      \r\n<\/p>

      Method #1: cPanel<\/h4>

      \r\n\r\n<\/p>