WPFairs

How to Check and Update PHP for a WordPress Website Safely

KawsarAhmed

PHP is one of the most important parts of a WordPress website, but it is easy to forget about because it runs on the server rather than inside the WordPress editor. Keeping PHP reasonably current can improve security, performance, and long-term compatibility.

WordPress 7.1 supports PHP 7.4 and newer, while the WordPress project recommends PHP 8.3 or later. PHP 7.4 is supported by WordPress for compatibility, but it is an end-of-life PHP release, so running an older version is not the same as running a currently maintained version. citeturn1search2turn1search10

Why Your PHP Version Matters

WordPress Core, plugins, and themes all depend on PHP. When your server uses an old PHP release, you can eventually run into security, performance, or compatibility problems.

Updating PHP can also expose compatibility issues in older plugins or themes. That is why the safest approach is to check your site first instead of changing the PHP version blindly.

What PHP Version Does WordPress 7.1 Support?

WordPress 7.1 is compatible with PHP 7.4 through PHP 8.5. The WordPress Hosting Team currently recommends PHP 8.4 or 8.5 for new WordPress 7.1 installations. citeturn1search2turn1search4

There is an important distinction here:

  • Minimum supported: PHP 7.4.
  • Recommended: PHP 8.3 or later.
  • Current production choices: PHP 8.4 and 8.5 are receiving active support according to the WordPress Hosting Team’s current compatibility guidance. citeturn1search2turn1search4

You should also consider the PHP version’s own lifecycle, not just whether WordPress can technically run on it.

How to Check Your PHP Version in WordPress

You can check the server environment from the WordPress administration area without editing any server files.

Using Site Health

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Open Tools → Site Health.
  3. Open the Info tab.
  4. Expand the Server section.
  5. Look for the PHP version reported by your server.

WordPress’s Site Health documentation explains that this screen provides technical information about the server, database, WordPress installation, plugins, themes, and permissions. citeturn1search9

Should You Upgrade PHP?

If your website is using an old PHP release, upgrading is worth investigating. However, the correct target depends on your hosting environment and the compatibility of your site’s plugins and theme.

For a modern WordPress 7.1 website, PHP 8.3 or newer is a sensible target when your site’s software supports it. The WordPress project currently recommends PHP 8.3 or later. citeturn1search5

Before You Change PHP

1. Make a backup

Create a recent, restorable backup of your WordPress files and database before changing the server’s PHP version. Do not rely on a backup that you have never tested or cannot access.

2. Update WordPress, plugins, and themes

Bring your WordPress installation and its active plugins and themes up to date first where practical. Old software is more likely to contain PHP compatibility problems.

3. Check plugin and theme compatibility

Pay particular attention to plugins and themes that have not been updated for a long time. A PHP upgrade can reveal old code that previously worked only because the older PHP runtime tolerated it.

4. Use staging when possible

If your hosting provider offers staging, clone the website and test the PHP upgrade there first. This is especially valuable for WooCommerce stores, membership sites, business websites, and sites with custom development.

How to Update PHP Safely

PHP is normally changed through your hosting provider’s control panel or by asking the hosting provider to make the change. The exact interface varies between hosts, so do not follow instructions intended for a different hosting platform unless they match your environment.

A safe workflow looks like this:

  1. Check the current PHP version.
  2. Create and verify a backup.
  3. Update WordPress, themes, and plugins where appropriate.
  4. Test the site on staging if available.
  5. Choose a currently supported PHP version that your site can use.
  6. Change PHP through your hosting provider.
  7. Check the front end and WordPress dashboard.
  8. Test important forms, ecommerce functions, logins, and other critical features.
  9. Monitor the site for errors after the change.

What If Your Website Breaks After a PHP Upgrade?

Do not assume that WordPress itself is necessarily the cause. A plugin or theme can be responsible for an incompatibility.

First, check whether the problem appeared immediately after the PHP change. Your hosting provider may have PHP error logs that identify the component producing the error.

If you have a staging environment or a tested rollback procedure, use it to diagnose the problem. You can also contact the plugin or theme developer if the error points to their software.

For a production website that generates revenue, having a recovery plan before changing PHP is much safer than trying to create one after the site is unavailable.

Do Not Confuse WordPress Support With PHP Security Support

One of the most important points is that WordPress supporting a PHP version does not necessarily mean the PHP project itself is still providing normal security support for that version.

For example, WordPress 7.1 remains compatible with PHP 7.4, but PHP 7.4 is an old, end-of-life release. WordPress maintains compatibility for sites that still need it, while the project encourages users to move to newer PHP versions. citeturn1search2turn1search5

WordPress PHP Upgrade Checklist

  • Check your current PHP version in Site Health.
  • Confirm the WordPress version running on the site.
  • Back up the database and files.
  • Update outdated plugins and themes.
  • Check important plugin and theme compatibility.
  • Use staging when available.
  • Choose a currently supported PHP version.
  • Change PHP through your hosting provider.
  • Test important website functionality.
  • Keep a rollback or recovery path available.

Final Thoughts

PHP maintenance is part of WordPress maintenance. You do not need to change the PHP version every time a newer release appears, but you should know what your site is running and avoid leaving it on an unnecessarily old runtime.

For WordPress 7.1, PHP 7.4 is the minimum supported version, while the project recommends PHP 8.3 or later. Before upgrading, back up the site, check compatibility, test when possible, and verify the important parts of your website afterward. citeturn1search4turn1search5

PHP and WordPress compatibility can change as new releases are published. Check the official WordPress compatibility documentation and your hosting provider’s current PHP options before making a production change.

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