{"id":917847,"date":"2024-01-08T17:23:10","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T16:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-rocket.me\/?p=917847"},"modified":"2024-01-08T17:28:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T16:28:09","slug":"why-you-need-to-upgrade-to-php-7-asap-and-how-to-do-it-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-rocket.me\/blog\/why-you-need-to-upgrade-to-php-7-asap-and-how-to-do-it-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Need to Upgrade to PHP 7+ ASAP (and How to Do It Right Now)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you want to learn how to update the PHP version on WordPress? You are in the right place. Keeping your site up-to-date is imperative for optimal functionality and security. Any website owners must meticulously update their themes, plugins, and the core platform to ensure a seamless and secure user experience. Running an updated PHP version on your WordPress site is also a crucial thing that YOU should not overlook.<\/p>

This article delves into why upgrading your WordPress PHP version is essential for enhancing performance and fortifying security. We will also guide you through updating PHP in WordPress. <\/p>

What is PHP?<\/h2>

PHP – which stands for “Hypertext Preprocessor\u201d – is a programming language that web developers use to create dynamic and interactive websites. It works behind the scenes to process information and interact with databases, making websites more engaging and functional. <\/p>

In plain English, PHP brings your website to life. That\u2019s an example below of PHP to create a login page. As you can see below, the PHP code is part of the HTML: <\/p>

\"PHP
PHP code example – Source: WP Rocket<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

How Does PHP Work on WordPress<\/h3>

PHP is the language for developing WordPress core, plugins, and themes. It provides the essential functionality to present dynamic web pages to visitors. The pages built with PHP are not stored in advance; they are made on the spot when someone asks to see them. <\/p>

When you click on a link or type a web address, a special PHP module on the server takes charge. It uses PHP instructions to build a brand-new webpage in HTML format. The server then sends this complete HTML page to your web browser so you can see the website you requested. <\/p>

If you prefer a visual representation, here’s a diagram that explains it effectively:<\/p>

\"PHP
PHP on WordPress explained – Source: WP Rocket<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\ud83d\udca1 In a WordPress site, PHP’s primary role is to retrieve the page content stored in your WordPress database and transform it into a webpage. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

What Is the Last Stable Version of PHP Available? <\/h3>

PHP 8.3<\/a> is the most recent stable version, representing a significant advancement over its predecessor, PHP 7.<\/p>

How Would Your WordPress Site Benefit from a PHP Upgrade<\/h2>

The three main benefits of using an updated PHP version on your WordPress site are the following: <\/p>

1. Better App Performance<\/h3>

New PHP releases often come with performance optimizations and improved execution functions, allowing your site to offer a better performance. Upgrading to a more recent PHP version improves how functions work in WordPress and enhances the platform’s overall performance. <\/p>

Using an outdated PHP version can also impact performance KPIs such as the Time to First Byte (TTFB)<\/a>, which measures the time it takes for a browser to receive the first byte of response after a request has been made on the server. <\/p>

Want to offer quicker page loading times, a better TTFB, and a more enjoyable user experience for your visitors? 

\ud83d\udcd6 Try WP Rocket to easily boost your performance and improve your Core Web Vitals<\/a> thanks to its powerful features. It takes just a few clicks!<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

2. Improved Security<\/h3>

Using an updated PHP version is crucial for ensuring the security of your WordPress site. As PHP evolves, it brings new security features, bug fixes, and enhancements to protect against potential vulnerabilities. Running an outdated PHP version may expose your site to security risks. On the contrary, staying up-to-date ensures that your website benefits from the latest security measures and maintains a safe online experience. <\/p>

3. Ongoing Support and Compatibility<\/h3>

Choosing an updated PHP version ensures ongoing support and compatibility with the latest technologies and versions of themes and plugins. Developers regularly release updates, patches, and support for the most recent PHP releases. By keeping your PHP code up-to-date, you gain access to the latest features and ensure that your site remains compatible with emerging technologies, plugins, and themes, reducing the risk of compatibility issues. <\/p>

How to Check Your Current PHP Version<\/h2>

There are three easy ways to check your current PHP version: <\/p>

  1. Use the Site Health Tool From Your WordPress Dashboard.<\/li>\n\n
  2. Using Your Hosting cPanel.<\/li>\n\n
  3. Create and Upload a PHP file to your WordPress Site\u2019s Root Directory.<\/li><\/ol>

    Let\u2019s go over the three techniques so you will know if you are running an updated version of PHP.<\/p>

    1. Use the Site Health Tool From Your WordPress Dashboard<\/h3>

    From the WordPress Admin, go to Tools<\/strong> > Site Health<\/strong> > Scroll down to the Server<\/strong> tab > Check the PHP version<\/strong> line. <\/p>

    In our demo, we are using the 8.1.22 version, which is okay for the smooth running of our site. <\/p>

    \"\"
    Identifying my PHP version – Source: The WordPress admin
    <\/figcaption><\/figure>

    2. Using Your Hosting cPanel<\/h3>

    Another way to check your current PHP version is to use cPanel and follow the instructions below:<\/p>

    1. Log into your cPanel account <\/li>\n\n
    2. Go to the Software<\/strong> tab GENERAL INFORMATION<\/strong>  and click on Select PHP Version<\/strong>:<\/li><\/ol>
      \"\"
      Identifying my PHP version with cPanel – Source: cPanel
      <\/figcaption><\/figure>

      3. At the top of the PHP Selector<\/strong> page, you will be able to see which PHP version you\u2019re currently running:<\/p>

      \"Identifying
      Identifying my PHP version with cPanel – PHP Extensions – Source: cPanel
      <\/figcaption><\/figure>

      Good to know:<\/strong> If your hosting provider is not using \u201ccPanel\u201d per se, like SiteGround, for example, then the information should be under the Devs<\/strong> or any PHP tabs like shown below: <\/p>

      \"Upgrading
      Upgrading PHP manually from the host admin panel – Source: SiteGround<\/a>
      <\/figcaption><\/figure>

      3. Create and Upload a PHP file to your WordPress Site\u2019s Root Directory.<\/h3>

      \u200bTo determine the PHP version employed by a specific website, you can use PHP itself. <\/p>

      1. Generate a PHP info file (e.g., systeminfo.php) in the following directory: \/home\/customer\/www\/yoursite.com\/public_html <\/li><\/ol>
        1. Insert the following code into the file:<\/li><\/ol>
          <?php phpinfo(); ?><\/code><\/pre>
          1. Access the file through a web browser using the following URL:<\/li><\/ol>
            http:\/\/yoursite.com\/systeminfo.php<\/a> <\/p>
            4. Check the PHP version displayed on the page.<\/p>
            Now that you know how to check the PHP version of your site, it would be interesting to verify that you are ready for an update (and whether you need one). <\/p>
            Should You Update to PHP8?<\/h2>
            The answer is yes, but if you are running an old version of PHP (like 5+), we recommend you update gradually. If you are still determining which PHP version you should update your site, here are a few guidelines that should help you. <\/p>
            5+ PHP version: <\/strong>UPDATE. Move away regardless of the upgrade cost because this version is the least-performing one. Consider updating gradually to PHP 7, monitoring the issues, and then to PHP 8 if everything goes smoothly. <\/em><\/p>
            7+ PHP version:<\/strong> SAFE ZONE. It\u2019s worth considering moving to 8+ if there are no major conflicts resulting from that. <\/p>
            8+ PHP version: <\/strong>MONITOR. Check for errors and conflicts and get faulty plugins\/themes to fix them.<\/p>
            Having gained insight into verifying your current PHP version, the next consideration is: How do you prepare your website for PHP upgrading? To assist you in this process, we’ve compiled a checklist to guide you through a series of steps to ensure a secure and seamless PHP transition.<\/p>
            How to Prepare Your Website for PHP Upgrading<\/h2>
            Preparing your website for PHP upgrading is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and optimal performance. Here\u2019s a list of techniques you can follow to get ready to update PHP:<\/p>
            1. Create a backup of your website<\/li>\n\n
            2. Update your theme and plugins<\/li>\n\n
            3. Contact theme and plugins and ask if there’s any known issues <\/li>\n\n
            4. Monitor errors<\/li>\n\n
            5. Check the current WordPress compatibility status<\/li>\n\n
            6. Scan your site with the PHP compatibility checker plugin<\/li><\/ol>
              This preparation should not be rushed; that\u2019s why we recommend you go through each action listed below thoroughly:<\/p>
              1. Create a Backup of Your Website <\/h3>
              Before upgrading PHP, ensure the safety of your website by creating a comprehensive backup to prevent potential data loss.<\/p>
              2. Update Your Theme and Plugins<\/h3>
              Ensure that your theme and plugins are updated with the latest versions, as this contributes to a smoother transition during PHP upgrading.<\/p>
              3. Contact Theme and Plugins and Ask If There’s Any Known Issues <\/h3>
              Reach out to the developers of your theme and plugins to inquire about any potential compatibility issues or specific considerations related to the PHP version you will upgrade to. Don\u2019t forget to visit their blogs, as they might have posted an announcement confirming the PHP compatibility. <\/p>
              4. Monitor Errors<\/h3>
              Closely monitoring errors becomes especially crucial during a major PHP release, as certain functions may be deprecated or potentially buggy. This scrutiny is even more critical when upgrading to a newly released version, where it’s too early to predict potential conflicts or issues that might arise. Pay close attention to error logs and address issues promptly to ensure a smoother transition toward a higher PHP version.<\/p>
              You can use the Error Log Monitor plugin <\/a>to check if you have any incoming incompatibility errors when using a more up-to-date PHP version.<\/p>
              5. Check The Current WordPress Compatibility Status<\/h4>
              Verify the current compatibility status of your WordPress version with the targeted PHP version to ensure seamless integration and avoid compatibility conflicts. The information is updated by the Core developers and is presented as a list. Here\u2019s the link to check the PHP compatibility with WordPress versions<\/a>. <\/p>
              \"\"
              PHP compatibility vs WordPress versions – Source: WordPress.org<\/a>
              <\/figcaption><\/figure>
              6. Scan Your Site With the PHP Compatibility Checker Plugin<\/h3>
              The PHP Compatibility Checker plugin<\/a> assesses and reports the compatibility of a WordPress site’s PHP code with different PHP versions, ensuring optimal performance and security. You can easily scan your site to check if the themes and plugins will work with an updated version of PHP before you upgrade. <\/p>
              The plugin can help make update decisions and share bugs with themes and plugin authors.  <\/p>
              \"\"
              PHP compatibility checker scanning your site – Source: WordPress.org<\/a>
              <\/figcaption><\/figure>
              In summary, here’s a checklist for you to use in preparing your site for a PHP upgrade. Make sure to save this image so you don\u2019t end up breaking your site. <\/p>
              \"Checklist
              Checklist to prepare your site for PHP upgrading – Source: WP Rocket<\/a>


              <\/figcaption><\/figure>
              By following this checklist, you can ensure a smooth and successful transition during the PHP upgrade, minimizing potential issues and optimizing the performance of your website. <\/p>
              How to Update to the Latest Version of PHP<\/h2>
              To update to the latest version of PHP, you can go to your cPanel, do it manually on your server, or ask your hosting provider to do it for you. <\/p>
              Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to update to the latest version of PHP:<\/p>
              1. Upgrading PHP with cPanel<\/h3>
              Upgrading PHP through cPanel is a straightforward process. <\/p>