Managing PHP Versions in cPanel

PHP is the scripting language behind most dynamic websites, including WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Exact Hosting lets you choose the PHP version each site on your cPanel account uses through MultiPHP Manager. This article shows you how to switch PHP versions safely.

About PHP and MultiPHP Manager

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) takes data from a database and converts it into the HTML web pages your visitors see. Different versions of PHP add new features and security improvements, and some applications require a specific PHP version to run.

MultiPHP Manager in cPanel lets you set the PHP version separately for each domain on your account, so you can run different sites on different versions if needed.

Before you begin

• An active Exact Hosting cPanel hosting plan. MultiPHP Manager is available in cPanel.
• Knowledge of the PHP version your site needs. Check your CMS or framework's documentation, or ask your developer, for the supported and recommended PHP versions.
• A recent backup. Switching PHP versions can break sites that aren't compatible with the new version. See Creating a Full Backup Using Backup Wizard before you make the change.

Step 1: Open MultiPHP Manager in cPanel

All PHP version changes happen inside the MultiPHP Manager interface.

1. Sign in to the Exact Hosting client dashboard.
2. Click Services, then My Services.
3. Click your hosting plan.
4. Click Login to cPanel.
5. In cPanel, click MultiPHP Manager.

Step 2: Change the PHP version for a domain

You can switch one or more domains to a different PHP version at the same time.

1. Check the box next to the domain (or domains) you want to update.
2. Click the PHP Version drop-down and choose the version you want.
3. Click Apply.

Step 3: Verify the change

After switching PHP versions, open your website in a browser to make sure it loads correctly.

• If the site loads. You're done. Keep an eye on logs and admin panels for the next day or two for compatibility issues.
• If the site shows errors or a blank page. Switch back to the previous PHP version in MultiPHP Manager. Then update your CMS, themes, and plugins to versions that support the new PHP release before trying again.

Next steps

• Confirm the active PHP version with a phpinfo file. See Viewing PHP Version Information.
• Back up your site before any major change. See Creating a Full Backup Using Backup Wizard.
• Coordinate with your developer. Ask them to confirm your themes, plugins, and custom code support the new PHP version.

Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.

Related articles

• Managing PHP Settings (MultiPHP INI Editor) — change PHP settings beyond the version