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Most small business websites run on PHP, the programming language behind WordPress and many other platforms. Yet few owners know which PHP version their site uses, or that old versions stop receiving security fixes. With PHP shipping an urgent security release on 21 October 2026 and PHP 8.2 reaching the end of its security support on 31 December 2026, now is a good time to check. This step-by-step guide is for business owners, office managers and junior web admins using shared hosting with cPanel, or a WordPress site. You do not need to be a developer to follow it.

Key takeaways

  • You can see your PHP version in WordPress under Tools > Site Health > Info > Server, or in cPanel’s MultiPHP Manager.
  • As of October 2026, php.net lists PHP 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5 as supported. Anything older gets no security fixes.
  • Always back up your files and database before changing PHP versions.
  • Test on a staging copy first if your host provides one, then switch the live site.
  • If something breaks, switch back temporarily, but only to a version that still receives security updates.

Why your PHP version matters

Each PHP branch gets a period of active support, followed by a period where it receives only security fixes, and then nothing at all. According to php.net’s supported versions page, as of 21 October 2026:

  • PHP 8.5: active support until 31 December 2027, security fixes until 31 December 2029.
  • PHP 8.4: active support until 31 December 2026, security fixes until 31 December 2028.
  • PHP 8.3: security fixes only, until 31 December 2027.
  • PHP 8.2: security fixes only, ending 31 December 2026.

A site on PHP 7.4, 8.0 or 8.1 will not get patches for newly discovered flaws, including critical ones.

Before you start: prerequisites

  • Your hosting control panel login (often cPanel) or your WordPress administrator login.
  • A recent, complete backup that includes both the site files and the database.
  • A list of the plugins and theme your site uses.
  • About an hour at a quiet time for your business, such as late evening or a weekend morning.
  • Your host’s support contact, in case your plan does not let you change PHP yourself.

Step-by-step: check your current PHP version

Option A: inside WordPress

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard as an administrator.
  2. Go to Tools > Site Health. On the Status tab, look for a recommended improvement about PHP; WordPress flags outdated versions here.
  3. Click the Info tab, then expand the Server section. The PHP version is listed there.
  4. Write the version down.

Option B: in cPanel

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. In the Software section, open MultiPHP Manager. If you cannot see it, your host may have disabled it, so contact support.
  3. Find your domain in the list. The PHP version assigned to it is shown alongside. If it says inherit, the site uses the server’s default PHP version.

Step-by-step: update PHP safely

Step 1: Back up everything

Copy all of your site files and export your database. A backup is only useful if it includes both. Many hosts offer a one-click backup tool in cPanel, and WordPress users can use a backup plugin such as Duplicator. Download a copy to your computer or cloud storage, not just to the same server.

Step 2: Check plugin and theme compatibility

Visit each plugin’s page in the WordPress plugin directory and check the PHP version it supports. Update all plugins, themes and WordPress itself to their latest versions before changing PHP, because updates often add support for newer PHP releases. Plugins that have not been updated in years are a warning sign; plan to replace them.

Step 3: Test on a staging copy

If your host offers a staging site, create one so it matches your live site, then change PHP on the staging copy only. If no staging option exists, choose a quiet time and be ready to switch back.

Step 4: Change the PHP version in cPanel

  1. Open MultiPHP Manager.
  2. Tick the checkbox next to the domain you want to change.
  3. Choose the new version from the PHP Version drop-down menu. Versions your host recommends are labelled Recommended.
  4. Click Apply. If PHP-FPM is enabled for the domain, it updates to match automatically.

A good target for most sites today is PHP 8.3 or 8.4. If a version is missing from the list, it is not installed on your server or not available on your plan; ask your host.

Step 5: Test the important things

Open your site in a private browser window and test what matters to your business: the home page, navigation, contact and enquiry forms, newsletter sign-up, comments, logins and, for online shops, the full checkout process.

Step 6: Apply to the live site

Once staging works, make the same change on the live site, then repeat your tests.

Troubleshooting

The site shows a blank page or “critical error”

Switch back in MultiPHP Manager to the previous version so customers are not affected, then investigate on staging. Only roll back to a version that still receives security updates.

Finding which plugin is the problem

On a staging site, set WP_DEBUG to true in the wp-config.php file to display PHP errors and deprecated function warnings. Error messages usually name the plugin or theme folder causing trouble. Update it, replace it with a maintained alternative, or ask its developer for a fix. Turn debugging off again afterwards.

You cannot change the version yourself

Some shared hosting plans restrict PHP changes. Open a support ticket and ask the host to move your domain to a supported version, or ask about moving to a plan that allows it.

Checklist

  • Current PHP version noted.
  • Full backup of files and database saved off the server.
  • WordPress core, plugins and theme updated.
  • Plugin compatibility checked; abandoned plugins listed for replacement.
  • PHP changed on staging and tested.
  • PHP changed on the live site and key functions tested.
  • Debug mode switched off.
  • Calendar reminder set to check PHP and plugin updates every month.

Next steps

Keeping PHP current is not a one-time task. Ask your host to confirm how quickly they apply PHP security releases, such as the critical update scheduled for 21 October 2026, and add a monthly website health check to your routine. If you rely on an outside developer, ask them to confirm the PHP version in writing and to plan upgrades well before each branch reaches its end of support.

Sources

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