Upgrade or Downgrade: How to Change PHP Version in cPanel

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a powerful, open-source scripting language that drives dynamic websites and web applications. In cPanel, adjusting your PHP version—using tools like Select PHP Version or MultiPHP Manager—helps you maintain compatibility, optimise performance, and strengthen security.

This guide walks you through when and how to upgrade or downgrade PHP versions safely. Read on!

Why You Might Change Your PHP Version

Switching PHP versions can be crucial for:

• Security: When older PHP branches reach end-of-life, they stop receiving security patches. Running an up-to-date interpreter helps protect against known vulnerabilities.
• Performance: Each major PHP release typically brings optimisations. For example, benchmarks often show PHP 8.0 handling requests faster than PHP 7.4.
• Compatibility: New CMS releases or plugins may require at least PHP 7.4. Conversely, legacy applications sometimes only run on older versions.
• Features: Modern frameworks and libraries leverage new syntax and functions introduced in recent PHP versions (e.g., union types in PHP 8.0).

Prerequisites and Best Practices

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• Create a Full Backup: A full backup of your files and database. Use cPanel’s Backup Wizard to export your entire account.
• Have Access to File Manager or FTP: Access to the File Manager or an FTP client to add files like phpinfo.php.
• Set Up a Staging Environment (If Available): A staging environment (if available) to test changes without affecting your live site.

Best Practice: Always perform version changes during low-traffic periods and notify users of any planned maintenance window.

How to Change PHP Version in cPanel

Here are the steps you need to follow to upgrade or downgrade your PHP version in cPanel:

Use the Select PHP Version Tool (Easiest Way)

This is the simplest way to switch the PHP version for your entire account:

1. Log into cPanel and scroll to the Software section.
2. Click Select PHP Version.
3. From the dropdown, pick your desired PHP release (e.g., 7.4, 8.0, 8.1) and click Set as current.
4. Optionally, toggle PHP extensions (such as gd, mbstring, or curl) to match your application’s requirements.

Use MultiPHP Manager for Per-Domain PHP Control

If you host multiple domains or subdomains, MultiPHP Manager lets you assign a different PHP version to each:

1. In cPanel’s Software section, choose MultiPHP Manager.
2. Check the domain(s) you wish to modify.
3. Select the desired PHP version in the PHP Version dropdown.
4. Click Apply to save.

You can mix and match—for example, run a WordPress site on PHP 8.0 while keeping a legacy script on PHP 7.2.

Fine-Tune PHP Versions via .htaccess (Advanced)

Open the File Manager and locate the .htaccess file in the directory you want to configure.

Insert the following code:

AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php80___lsphp .php .php7 .phtml

Replace ea-php80 with the appropriate handler for your desired PHP version (e.g., ea-php74 or ea-php81).

Replace ea-php80 with the identifier for your target version (e.g., ea-php74 or ea-php81). This method is ideal for subdirectories or addon domains lacking MultiPHP options.

Verify Your PHP Version After Changing It

After switching, confirm the change:

1. In File Manager, create a file named phpinfo.php.

Add the following code and save:

2. Visit https://yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php in your browser.

3. Look for the “PHP Version” banner at the top of the page.

Remove this file promptly afterwards to avoid exposing sensitive server configuration details.

Troubleshooting Common Issues After PHP Upgrade

If something goes wrong after switching versions, here’s what to check:

• 500 Internal Server Error: Often caused by unsupported directives in .htaccess. Check the error log under Metrics → Errors in cPanel.
• Deprecated Function Warnings: PHP 8.0 and above may flag functions removed in later releases. Update your code or use compatibility shims.
• Missing Extensions: If your application complains about a missing module, revisit Select PHP Version to enable it.

Additional Tips for Smooth Version Management

Here are some extra steps you can take to make your PHP version changes even smoother:

• Use a Staging Site First: Always test version upgrades on a copy of your site.
• Review Change Logs: Check the official PHP release notes for backwards-incompatible changes.
• Schedule Regular Updates: Plan periodic PHP upgrades (e.g., annual) to stay supported.
• Monitor Performance: Use cPanel’s Resource Usage tool or external monitoring to compare load times before and after an upgrade.

Wrapping Up

Mastering how to change the PHP version in cPanel empowers you to keep your website secure, performant, and compatible with the latest web technologies. Whether upgrading a modern CMS or maintaining legacy code, these steps cover everything from straightforward dropdown switches to advanced .htaccess tweaks.

Ready to take full control of your PHP environment? At BigRock, we make it easy. With powerful hosting solutions, 24/7 expert support, and unbeatable reliability, you’ll have everything you need to keep your website running smoothly and securely.

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