An outdated PHP version can affect your website’s compatibility, security and speed. You can update the PHP version in cPanel via the MultiPHP Manager interface: select the domain, set the desired version, then apply the change. Before doing so, make a note of the current settings so that you can revert to them if necessary.

Before updating, it is important to check whether your website and plugins are compatible with the new version of PHP. Checking compatibility, taking a backup and testing after the switch will help minimise the risk of errors.

In this guide, you’ll find out where to locate the PHP settings in cPanel, how to select a version, and what to do if your website displays an error after the change. We’ll also show you how to revert to a previous PHP version, and when it’s advisable to check compatibility in a test environment first.

How can you set the PHP version in the cPanel interface?

You can assign different PHP versions to domains and subdomains if they appear on separate lines in the MultiPHP Manager. The supported versions vary by hosting plan; for example, the list may include PHP 8.3 or PHP 7.4.

1. Opening MultiPHP Manager

   Log in to cPanel, then open the MultiPHP Manager menu item. If this feature is available, you can manage PHP settings on a per-domain basis. If you have multiple hosting accounts, check that you are logged into the correct cPanel account. Before making any changes, make a note of the domain’s current version.

   If you cannot find the MultiPHP Manager menu item, look for the ‘Select PHP Version’ option. The cPanel interface may vary depending on your provider’s configuration, and it may be that the PHP settings cannot be changed. If neither menu item appears, or if the setting is locked, please contact your hosting provider’s support team.

2. Selecting the domain to be modified

   Find the domain in the list for which you wish to change the PHP version. Tick the corresponding box, then check the domain name. If you select multiple domains, the same version will be applied to all of them. To update a single website, simply select its row.

   Please also check the domain’s current PHP version in the table. If you have multiple websites, subdomains or test sites, do not assume that they all use the same settings. You can select a subdomain appearing on a separate line individually, so that the main domain’s version remains unchanged.

3. Configuring the supported PHP version

   Select the desired, available PHP version from the drop-down menu for the selected domain. In MultiPHP Manager, for example, you can choose between PHP 8.3 and PHP 7.4, but the actual list depends on your hosting settings. The currently supported versions are shown in the options displayed in cPanel.

   Click the ‘Apply’ button to apply the setting. If the version you want is not listed, or if you are unable to apply the change, please contact your hosting provider’s support team. Do not attempt to override the setting managed by cPanel by modifying other files.

4. Configuring different versions for domains

   If your websites require different versions of PHP, configure them individually. Select one of the domains, choose the required version for it, then apply the change. Repeat these steps for the next domain. This way, the main domain and the subdomain listed on a separate line can use different versions.

   Do not select all domains if you only wish to change the settings for one of them. The same PHP version will apply to all selected domains. If the subdomain does not appear separately, check the domain entries visible in cPanel before applying the change.

Why is it important to update or change your PHP version?

Before updating, make a backup and check your website’s compatibility. Changing the PHP version does not in itself delete any files, but an incompatible plugin may cause a malfunction.

1. Make a backup. Before making any changes, save your website’s files and database. Check that the backup is accessible and can be restored if necessary. Changing the PHP version does not delete any files, but the site may be temporarily down due to compatibility issues. A working backup is therefore an important restore point.
2. Update your WordPress system, plugins and themes. PHP version 7.4 or higher is recommended for using WordPress. However, older plugins or themes may behave differently with newer versions of PHP. Before updating, open your WordPress control panel, install any available updates, and then check the site’s main functions. These include, for example, logging in, submitting forms and the ordering process.
3. Check compatibility. Check the website’s documentation to see which PHP versions it supports. For custom-developed sites, the developer’s documentation may help with this check. Before using PHP 8.3, carry out a compatibility test, particularly for websites that use older extensions. If you are unsure about how it will work, try the update in a test environment first.
4. Please bear in mind the differences in security and performance. Security updates are no longer being released for PHP 7.4 or earlier versions. Upgrading to a newer version of PHP can result in a loading speed increase of up to 20–30 per cent. Only critical fixes are now being released for PHP 8.0, which is why this guide recommends upgrading to PHP 8.1. The actual result will also depend on the page’s code and plugins.
5. Test the site after making the change. After changing the PHP version, wait 5–10 minutes, then check the homepage and key features. Try logging into WordPress, using the forms and accessing the site administration. If you encounter an error, open the ‘Error Logs’ menu item in cPanel. The log entries may help you identify the affected file or plugin.

Don’t switch just because a newer version of PHP is available. First, check whether your website’s code, plugins and templates are compatible with it. The website’s documentation or information from the developer can provide guidance on this. If it is unclear whether your website supports the version, try the upgrade in a test environment first, rather than on the live site. This will help you determine whether further compatibility checks are needed. Don’t just check whether the page loads; also check that the chosen PHP version works correctly with all the important elements of your website.

Changing the PHP version does not in itself delete your website’s files, but the site may become temporarily unavailable due to a compatibility issue. The fact that the files remain intact therefore does not guarantee error-free operation. If testing or the documentation indicates incompatibility, do not treat the switch as a risk-free routine task. Check the information provided by the developer and only proceed once you have clarified whether the website supports the new version. If compatibility remains unclear, stick to the test environment until the issue is resolved. This way, you can base your decision on the website’s actual performance.

Error handling and rolling back to a previous PHP version

If your website is not working properly after changing the PHP version, revert to the version you were using previously. In cPanel’s MultiPHP Manager, select the domain again and apply the previous settings.

1. Make a note of the exact symptoms of the error. Record which page or function is not working, and what error message appears. A loading error, for example, may require a different course of action to a form that is not working. These details will help determine whether the problem arose after the PHP version change.Do not change multiple settings at once. If you change a plugin and a template as well as the PHP version, it will be more difficult to identify the cause of the error. Check the relevant entries in the cPanel ‘Error Logs’ menu and make a note of the name of the affected file.
2. Open MultiPHP Manager. Log in to cPanel, then locate the domain of the website experiencing the error. Check that you can see the correct PHP version for the relevant row. If you have multiple domains, do not select them all if you are only experiencing a problem with one website.
3. Select the version you used previously. In the domain row, open the PHP version drop-down menu and find the value you noted down before making the change. The ‘Current’ label shows the current version for that domain, which may not necessarily match the version you used previously. If you did not note down the previous version, do not select one at random. In cPanel, select an available PHP version that has worked previously, then check whether the error persists. The available versions depend on your hosting settings.
4. Apply the changes. Once you have selected the version, click the ‘Apply’ button. This will change the PHP settings for the selected domain to the chosen value. Check that the MultiPHP Manager now displays the correct version. If several separate domains are affected, carry out the setting for each one individually.
5. Check the website again. Reload the page, then try the feature that wasn’t working previously. Also check the entries in the cPanel Error Logs. If the issue is resolved by reverting to the previous version, it is likely that the new version is incompatible with one of the website’s components. Rolling back will not fix the incompatible code, but it may help restore functionality whilst you investigate the fault.

Changing the PHP version via the cPanel PHP Selector interface

In cPanel, you can change the PHP version via the MultiPHP Manager or the Select PHP Version interface. In the PHP Selector, select the desired version and then set it as the current one.

1. Find the ‘Select PHP Version’ interface. Log in to cPanel and open the menu item for configuring the PHP version. The name of the interface may vary depending on your provider’s configuration. If ‘Select PHP Version’ is visible, you can change the setting there. If ‘MultiPHP Manager’ appears, select the version associated with your domain within it.The PHP Selector and the MultiPHP Manager are two separate interfaces, so do not expect to see the same fields in every cPanel account. On the ‘Select PHP Version’ interface, select the version and then set it as the current one. In the MultiPHP Manager, assign the version to the domain and then click the ‘Apply’ button to confirm the change.
2. Select a compatible PHP version. Open the version selector on the ‘Select PHP Version’ interface and review the options displayed. The description in cPanel recommends using PHP 8.1 or 8.2. Before making your selection, please check the compatibility of your website, plugins and templates. For PHP 8.3, a preliminary compatibility test is required. In cPanel, the version is usually displayed next to ‘PHP version’ or a similar label. Select the desired value, then set it as the current version. Once the change has taken effect, check your website, paying particular attention to the login process and the functionality of any forms.
3. Use the MultiPHP Manager if the Selector is unavailable. Open the manager, locate the relevant domain, then select the corresponding PHP version. Both cPanel interfaces can be used to change the version, but they work in different ways. In the MultiPHP Manager, click the ‘Apply’ button to apply the settings for the selected domain.If there are multiple domains in your account, check which one you have selected before making any changes. When you select a single domain, only its PHP version will change. If you select multiple domains, the same chosen version will apply to all of them. The PHP Selector and MultiPHP Manager therefore handle version changes differently.
4. In WHM, you can change the PHP version for a domain if you have administrator access. Log in as the root user, then open the MultiPHP Manager’s ‘User Domain Settings’ tab. Locate the relevant domain and select the desired version from the ‘PHP Version’ drop-down menu.The server-side control panel in WHM is not the same as the PHP Selector in your cPanel account. Before making any changes, check the domain and the selected PHP version, then apply the setting. If you do not have root access, you will not be able to carry out this process in WHM; please use the manager available in cPanel instead.

After the switch, allow some time for the changes to take effect: this takes a few seconds. During this time, do not immediately assume the change has failed, and do not initiate another version change simply because the interface does not yet reflect your selection. After waiting, return to check that the domain in question is functioning correctly, and assess the result of the configuration according to the compatibility criteria mentioned earlier. Due to the short turnaround time, it is advisable to wait patiently until the operation is complete, and only then to assess whether the desired version has taken effect. If you carry out further checks, be sure to distinguish between the fact that you are waiting and your assessment of the website’s actual behaviour.

The benefits of updating an outdated PHP version

Updating the PHP version involves more than just selecting a new version. It is advisable to change the setting in cPanel only if your website’s software supports the desired version, and then check that the site is working correctly.

1. Check which website components use PHP. Take stock of the website’s engine, plugins and theme. If you’re using WordPress, check for any updates indicated in the admin panel, then review the documentation for each component. An out-of-date plugin may behave differently from the up-to-date WordPress core, so don’t just test the homepage.By testing functions individually, you’ll find it easier to spot errors. For example, try logging in, using the search function and submitting forms. For an online shop, also test the shopping basket and the checkout process. This will help you identify which component requires further investigation if a problem arises after changing the PHP settings.
2. Choose your update method based on your website’s structure. You can set the PHP version on a per-domain basis via the cPanel MultiPHP Manager interface. On the ‘Select PHP Version’ page, you can choose the current version from the available options. If you manage multiple websites with different code bases, setting this on a per-domain basis can help ensure that not every site is affected by the same choice.Before selecting a version, compare the options available on your hosting account with the requirements of your website’s software. Do not let the latest version alone be the deciding factor: compatibility, the status of extensions and custom code all matter. For complex websites, it is particularly useful to test the change in a staging environment first.
3. Consider the potential operational benefits of upgrading. A more up-to-date version of PHP, combined with optimised code, can enable faster execution and a more up-to-date software environment. However, this will not automatically make every website faster: the code, database queries, images and external services also affect loading times.From a security perspective, it is also important not to remain on an outdated version of PHP for no good reason. Security updates are no longer being released for PHP 7.4 or earlier versions. Updating therefore reduces the vulnerability arising from an outdated runtime environment, but it does not replace the maintenance of WordPress, plugins and themes.
4. After the update, check the actual results. Open the site’s key features and compare them with how they previously worked. If you experience slowdowns or errors, review the entries in the cPanel Error Logs. Look for errors relating to the time of the change and make a note of the affected file or plugin. This makes it easier to isolate the impact of the PHP change from other alterations. The update can be considered an appropriate step if the site’s operation is consistent with the support provided for the software used. Information on how cPanel hosting works can help you familiarise yourself with the control panel’s capabilities.

aWh: Web hosting

aWh offers web hosting for websites and online projects. If you are unable to change the PHP settings in cPanel, or if you encounter an error after changing the version, please contact aWh’s support team with any hosting-related queries. When selecting the appropriate PHP environment, the website’s software, the compatibility of plugins and the settings available in cPanel are all important factors to consider.

When choosing a web hosting provider, ease of use and the option of backups are also important considerations. aWh offers web hosting, KVM VPS, domain registration and email hosting. You can find out more about cPanel management and hosting solutions tailored to your website’s needs in the details of aWh’s web hosting services.

Take a look at aWh’s web hosting options and choose the solution that best suits your website.

Plan your next maintenance step

After modifying your PHP settings, keep a record of the maintenance work. Note down the date of the change, the website affected and any error messages. This will allow you to compare the technical changes with any changes you notice in the website’s performance later on.

If the ‘Allowed memory size exhausted’ error persists even after checking your PHP settings, investigate which operation or extension is using too much memory. Updating the PHP version in cPanel alone will not resolve the issue of exceeding the memory limit. Reviewing the error log and the circumstances of the error may help you determine the next step in your investigation.

If you have any technical queries, please contact aWh. This will allow you to base your next maintenance step on the website’s actual performance.

Frequently asked questions about changing the PHP version in cPanel

Which control panel should I use to change the PHP version?

The correct cPanel interface depends on how PHP settings are managed on the hosting account. If the website runs on a separate domain, look for a setting that assigns the PHP version to that domain. If the interface only shows one current version, check whether this applies to all websites or only to the selected one. The description of the control panel may help with this.

What happens if a website isn’t compatible?

Incompatibility does not necessarily render the entire website inaccessible. It may be that only one function, such as file uploading or an administrative operation, is failing. Make a note of the exact error message, the page affected and the action that preceded it. This information can help distinguish between an error related to PHP code and a database or permissions issue.

What should I do if the site stops working after an update?

Make a note of when and on which page the error occurred. Try performing the relevant action in a different browser, then check whether the error can be reproduced. Use the file name or error message in the log to locate the relevant component. If the business functionality of the page is compromised, restrict use of the affected functionality until the issue is resolved.

Why is this PHP update good for me?

A newer version of PHP may include enhancements that enable a more up-to-date software environment. However, upgrading does not replace the need for code optimisation, nor does it automatically increase the PHP memory limit. If you encounter an ‘Allowed memory size exhausted’ error, check which process is consuming a lot of memory, such as large image processing or a particular plugin.

Why is it worth updating PHP?

With this update, your website can operate in a well-maintained PHP environment alongside more up-to-date web software. When making your decision, don’t just consider the version: the website’s code, the status of any plugins and the range of functions enabled on the server are also important factors. If a function is failing, first check its requirements and the log entries.

How can I update the PHP version in cPanel?

In cPanel, use the PHP settings available on your hosting account, then check that the change applies to the website in question. After making the change, test the public part of the site and the administrative functions. For dynamic websites, also check forms, file uploads and background processes.

Where can I find ‘Select PHP Version’ or ‘MultiPHP Manager’ in cPanel?

On the cPanel home page, use the search bar to find a menu item related to PHP. The names and locations of the screens that appear depend on your hosting settings. If you manage multiple websites, do not assume that a single setting applies to all of them in the same way. Check the description of the selected menu item and the domain details displayed before making any changes.

How can you check a website’s PHP compatibility before an update?

Take stock of your website’s engine, plugins and custom code. Test any features that use external modules or data processing separately. If you have a test environment, try out the website’s key functions there before making any changes in the live environment. In the case of bespoke development, error messages and test results together indicate which sections of code need to be fixed.

• cpanel
• php version
• multiphp manager
• website maintenance
• php compatibility
• error handling
• backups
• hosting