How to Change PHP Version in cPanel
In cPanel open Software → MultiPHP Manager, tick the domain, choose the PHP version and click Apply; the next request uses it. Pick PHP 8.3 if your plugins support it, because 8.2 stops getting security fixes on 31 December 2026 and 8.1 is already end of life. Back up first and test afterwards.
For cPanel site owners upgrading PHP safely, including WordPress sites with older plugins.
knowledge
- Read time
- 5 min
- Sections
- 8
- Updated
- 14 Nov 2026
- Written by
- WebJi® team
Last editorial update: 14 November 2026.
How do you check which PHP version your site uses?
Open Software → MultiPHP Manager in cPanel and read the version shown beside the domain; that is what the website uses on the next request. WordPress also shows it under Tools → Site Health → Info → Server.
For a definitive reading, create phpinfo.php in the site’s document root containing only <?php phpinfo();, open it in a browser, note the version, and delete the file the same day, because it reveals server paths. The php -v command in Terminal or a cron job may use a different binary from the website.
How do you change the PHP version in cPanel?
In MultiPHP Manager, tick the domain, choose the PHP version from the dropdown and click Apply; the change takes effect on the next page request without a server restart. Take a backup first.
- Back up the site; WebJi® cPanel plans include JetBackup.
- Log in to cPanel and open Software → MultiPHP Manager.
- Tick only the domain you want to change; each addon domain has its own row.
- Choose the version in the PHP Version dropdown and click Apply.
- Reload the homepage, wp-admin and the phpinfo file to confirm the new version.
Each domain keeps its own setting, so a shop can run 8.3 while an older application stays on 8.2. A subdomain that shares the main document root follows the main domain’s version.
Which PHP version should you choose?
Choose PHP 8.3 if your theme and plugins support it: it receives security fixes until 31 December 2027, while 8.2’s security support ends on 31 December 2026 and 8.1 is already end of life. WebJi® cPanel hosting publishes PHP 8.1 to 8.3 in MultiPHP Manager.
| Version | Security fixes until | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 7.4 and older | Ended | Upgrade urgently |
| 8.1 | Ended 31 Dec 2025 | Move off it |
| 8.2 | 31 Dec 2026 | Short bridge only |
| 8.3 | 31 Dec 2027 | Recommended on WebJi® cPanel |
| 8.4 | 31 Dec 2028 | Ask support if you need it |
| 8.5 | 31 Dec 2029 | Ask support if you need it |
For WordPress, check “Requires PHP” for plugins you cannot lose and update or replace the one that blocks 8.3, rather than keeping the whole site on an old branch. Email support@webji.services if you need a version not shown in the menu. Running an unsupported version is one of the risks covered in how to check website vulnerability.
What if cPanel shows Select PHP Version instead?
Some servers, typically those running CloudLinux, show Select PHP Version, which sets one version for the whole account and manages extensions on the same screen. Use MultiPHP Manager where it exists and Select PHP Version only when it does not.
If both tools are present and show different versions, the handler that actually serves requests wins, which causes confusing results. Set both to the same version, then confirm with phpinfo.
How do you enable PHP extensions such as mbstring?
Extensions are configured per PHP version, so after switching versions open the extension list for the new version and enable what your application needs, such as mbstring, intl, zip, gd or imagick. An extension enabled on 8.1 is not automatically on for 8.3.
Enable OPcache to cache compiled scripts; how to enable PHP OPcache covers its settings. Extensions such as Redis appear only if that PHP build includes them, so do not assume them on shared hosting.
How do you change memory_limit and upload limits?
Open Software → MultiPHP INI Editor, choose the domain, and set values such as memory_limit, upload_max_filesize, post_max_size and max_execution_time. 256M of memory suits most WordPress dashboards.
If phpinfo still shows the old value, a php_value line in .htaccess or a php.ini or .user.ini in the site folder is overriding the editor. For upload problems in WordPress specifically, see increase the WordPress upload size.
How do you fix a white screen after changing PHP?
A white screen or fatal error means some code is incompatible with the new version; switch the domain back first if visitors are affected, then find the failing plugin or theme in the error log.
- Revert the domain to the previous version in MultiPHP Manager.
- Open Metrics → Errors, or enable WordPress debug logging (enable WP_DEBUG) and read
wp-content/debug.log. - Note the plugin or theme named in the error; rename its folder in File Manager to disable it.
- Update or replace it, switch PHP forward again, and test the homepage and one form.
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Wrong domain ticked | Tick the row whose folder the browser opens |
| Apply not clicked | Select again and click Apply |
| Old AddHandler or SetHandler in .htaccess | Remove the line pinning an older ea-php build |
| Cached phpinfo page | Delete and re-upload the file, then reload |
Frequently asked questions
Will changing PHP version affect my emails or databases?
No. The PHP version only affects how scripts on that domain run. Mailboxes, DNS and databases are untouched, although a database-driven site may show errors if its code is incompatible with the new version.
Does a newer PHP version make WordPress faster?
Usually a little, because newer releases include performance improvements, and they keep receiving security fixes. The bigger gains still come from caching, image optimisation and removing slow plugins.
How do I change PHP version in Plesk instead?
In Plesk the setting is under the domain’s PHP Settings or Hosting Settings rather than MultiPHP Manager. The steps are in update the PHP version in Plesk.
Can a cron job use a different PHP version from my site?
Yes. A cron command that calls plain php uses the server’s default binary. Call the specific version’s path, which your host can confirm, so scheduled tasks run on the same version as the site.
PHP support dates from php.net, read 14 November 2026 · Last editorial update: 15 November 2026.
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