See how to easily check and change the PHP version on your host using cPanel.
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SiteGround | A2 Hosting
NOTE: if you have a WHM (reseller) hosting account, you may see this MultiPHP Manager tool to check your PHP version.
Transcript below the video
Transcript
It’s critically important that you keep the PHP version on your site current for security and performance reasons, and to keep current on compatibility with WordPress, themes, and plugins.
Hi, I’m MaAnna with BlogAid and in this quick tutorial, I’ll show you how to access your PHP level at both SiteGround and A2 Hosting.
Most other hosts that run cPanel will also have similar features.
Check for Updated Tutorials
Site tech changes all the time. Be sure to check the description below this video for any updates to the tutorials and for any links mentioned.
Prep for the Change
Before making any changes to your site, take a full backup first.
If you are using any PHP version lower than 7.0, you may want to check your site’s PHP 7 compatibility first. However, I’ve found it faster to simply make the switch and then poke around the site.
If anything goes whack, you can always change back to your original PHP version, and no permanent harm will have been done to your site (in 99.99% of cases).
PHP 7.x Not Available
If you are on an older server that does not support PHP above version 5.6, you will need to move to a new server. That can be with the same hosting company, but it will be like a full site migration, nevertheless.
READ: How to Migrate Your Site to a New Host for tips to make it a smooth transition.
SiteGround PHP Check
There are two ways to check and change your PHP level at SiteGround.
One is via their SG Optimizer plugin. However, I discourage use of that because it has other settings that you don’t want to poke around in and/or they don’t work as well as doing another way. Plus, that plugin is just an interface for tools found in cPanel anyway, so that’s the way we’re going to do it in this tutorial.
Log into your cPanel.
This is the older style interface. If yours looks different, see the first part of the A2 Hosting PHP Check and Change section for the newer cPanel interface.
The easiest way to find the tool you need is to go to the Search CPANEL field on the right, and type in php.
Find the PHP Version Manager tool and click it.
Your current PHP level should be listed.
If it’s not, don’t worry. You’ll see it in a moment.
Click on the link for public_html.
You should see the radio button checked for your current PHP version.
Here you can select a different PHP version.
Once you’re finished, click the Save button.
Be sure to clear all cache, including your browser, local caching plugin, and Cloudflare, and check the status of your site in an incognito or private window.
If all is well, then you are finished.
If you encounter any problems with your site, make note of them, and switch your PHP version back to what it was originally, until you can find a fix for the issue.
SiteGround has a setup that is a little odd compared to most hosts, so you won’t have to make any changes to your PHP error log if you switch to another PHP version.
But, with A2 Hosting, and most other hosts, you will lose the output of your PHP error log when you make a PHP level change.
This log helps you identify issues with your database and plugins, so it’s a good idea to turn it back on after you switch PHP versions, and you’ll see how to do that in just a moment.
A2 Hosting PHP Check
What you will see in this A2 Hosting tutorial will apply to most all modern hosts that use cPanel.
This is the newer cPanel interface. If yours looks different, jump back to the beginning of the SiteGround part of this tutorial for the older version, or check with your host if they have a custom build over cPanel.
In the search field at the top, type php.
Find and click the tool for Select PHP Version.
At the top you can see the PHP version you are currently using.
Click the drop-down to select a new PHP version.
Then click the Set as current button.
Now, turn your PHP error log back on, on the far right, click Switch to PHP Options.
In display_errors, click the option and set to On. Then click Apply.
In error_log, click the option and type in error_log. Then click Apply.
In log_errors, click the option and set to On. Then click Apply.
Then scroll to the bottom and click the Save button.
Be sure to clear all cache, including your browser, local caching plugin, and Cloudflare, and check the status of your site in an incognito or private window.
If all is well, then you are finished.
If you encounter any problems with your site, make note of them, and switch your PHP version back to what it was originially until you can find a fix.
And, be sure to turn your PHP error log back on again any time you switch PHP versions.
Need More Help?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick tutorial on how to check and change your PHP version.
Want someone to watch over your shoulder as you make these changes? Contact me for a live session.
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MaAnna-thanks for this easy to follow tutorial! I changed from 7.0 to 7.2 and received an error about MySQL extension missing. I changed it back to 7.0 and all is well with my site. But is that something I can fix or something A2 has to fix? Or maybe I’m ok at 7 for now?
Sounds like a server-side thing to me, Tipper. I’d contact the host.
You can stay at 7.0 until the end of the year, but I wouldn’t wait past mid Dec.
I don’t want to change until we get past the WP update.