Change the PHP Version of a WordPress Site

PHP is the language WordPress runs on. Newer versions are usually faster and receive security fixes, but some older plugins need an older version. Vendi Today lets you choose the version per site.

Why change it

• Security: supported versions receive patches; old ones do not.
• Speed: recent versions process pages more efficiently.
• Compatibility: some plugins and themes require a newer version, and a few old ones only run on older ones.

Your content and design are not touched. The change only affects how the server runs the code.

Steps

1. Go to Sites > WordPress and click Manage Website.
2. Open Advanced Settings.
3. Select Server Settings and then Choose PHP Version.
4. Pick a version from the list.
5. Click Confirm. The site switches automatically with little or no downtime.

Check after changing

• Load your home page, a post, and any form or checkout.
• Look for white screens or warning messages.
• Turn on WordPress debugging in Advanced Settings if something looks wrong; it reveals PHP messages.

If a plugin breaks, return to the same menu and select the previous version while you update or replace the plugin.

Good habits

• Review your version every few months and after installing new plugins or themes.
• Test major version jumps in a staging copy first.
• Keep core, plugins, and themes up to date so they support current PHP.

Good to know: Move up one version at a time, testing between each, rather than jumping several versions at once.