Your website may look like it’s working perfectly, while running on software that no longer gets any security fixes. We’re talking about PHP – the language behind most WordPress websites and plenty of online stores. In this article, you’ll learn why its version matters, how to check it and how to change it without your website falling apart.
What PHP is and why you’re only hearing about it now
PHP is a programming language that runs on the server and builds a page every time someone opens it. It handles everything that changes on your website – content from the database, the shopping cart, forms and logins. WordPress, WooCommerce and many other content management systems are built on it.
Visitors don’t see PHP, which is why website owners forget about it. Yet you choose your PHP version in your hosting control panel – or someone chose it for you years ago when the website launched. It often doesn’t change on its own.
Why you should care about your PHP version
Security
Every PHP version has a limited support period. While it’s supported, developers fix bugs and security holes in it. Once support ends, fixes stop coming out and known vulnerabilities stay open. For attackers, that’s an invitation – automated bots look for exactly these kinds of websites.
Speed
Newer PHP versions tend to perform better, so pages are generated faster and the server can handle more visitors at once. Speed decides whether a visitor waits, and it also affects how Google sees you. You’ll find more tips in our article 5 ways to improve page load speed.
Compatibility
WordPress, themes and plugins evolve along with PHP. Over time, new versions of plugins stop supporting old PHP – and either you can’t update, or the update breaks your website. Outdated PHP locks you into an old setup that gets harder to escape every month.
Hosting support
Hosting companies gradually switch off old PHP versions. If you don’t keep an eye on it, the change can catch you unprepared – a website switched to a new version without any preparation can stop working overnight.
Who should take care of your PHP version
Often, nobody knows. The hosting company says the customer chooses the version. The developer who built the website years ago no longer works with you. And you assume it happens automatically. The result: the website runs for years on a version nobody supports anymore.
The solution is simple – agree on who’s responsible for updates and write it down. Whether it’s a colleague, an outside developer or an agency, someone should regularly check the PHP version, updates and backups, for example once a quarter.
How to check which PHP version you have
- In your hosting control panel – in the website or domain settings, you’ll usually find a PHP item showing the current version.
- In WordPress – go to Tools → Site Health → Info → Server. Site Health will often warn you about outdated PHP on its own, too.
- With your website manager – if an agency or developer manages your website, ask them directly. It’s a one-sentence question.
Then compare your version with what your content management system recommends. WordPress publishes its recommended PHP version on its requirements page, and the official PHP website has an overview of which versions still get security fixes.
How to update PHP safely: step by step
- Back up your entire website – both files and the database. Don’t change anything without a backup.
- Update WordPress, your theme and plugins to the latest versions. Consider replacing plugins that nobody has developed for years.
- Try the new version on a test copy of your website if your hosting offers one.
- Switch the PHP version in your hosting control panel. The bigger the jump between versions, the more thoroughly you should test.
- Test the key things – the homepage, forms, the cart, ordering, payment and logging into the admin.
- Check for error messages in the log and email notifications from WordPress.
- If something breaks, switch back to the original PHP version – most hosting providers let you do it in a few clicks – and fix the problem calmly.
For a small website, it’s a matter of a few minutes; for an online store with lots of plugins, set aside more time. Schedule the change for a period when your website has the fewest visitors.
Signs your website is running on old PHP
- WordPress or plugins report that they require a newer PHP version.
- Site Health in WordPress shows a critical warning.
- Your hosting provider sends you emails about the end of support for an old version.
- Nobody remembers when the website was last updated.
- The website is slow and nobody knows why.
With that last point, there are usually several causes at once. We explain how to find them in our article Why your website loads slowly and how to fix it. And if you find out that it’s not just the PHP that’s old but the whole website, our article on how to tell your website needs a redesign will help.
Frequently asked questions
Can a PHP update break my website?
It can, especially if your theme or plugins are outdated. That’s why you back up before the change, update your plugins and test the website afterwards. If something breaks, you can switch back to the original PHP version in your hosting.
How often should PHP be updated?
You don’t have to jump on every new version as soon as it’s released. Checking once or twice a year whether your version still gets security fixes is enough – then move to a newer one before support ends.
Will a new PHP version speed up my website?
Often, yes, but don’t expect miracles if your website is held back by heavy images, a bloated theme or weak hosting. PHP is one piece of the puzzle, not the only one.
Can I do it without a developer?
For a simple website with up-to-date plugins, yes – it’s a few clicks in your hosting. For an online store or an older website with lots of plugins, it’s safer to leave it to someone who can quickly fix any problem that comes up.
Don’t want to risk downtime?
If you don’t know which PHP version your website runs on, or you’re worried an update will break it, get in touch. We’ll take a look and suggest a safe approach. See how we build websites that keep working for years on our Website Design page.
