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How to change the PHP version in cPanel

Reading time
4 min
Last updated
24 Sep 2026

Newer PHP versions are faster and still get security fixes; older ones do not. Most sites can move up in a minute. The one trap is that cPanel can have two PHP controls, and changing the wrong one does nothing.

  1. 01

    Check what the site supports

    Before switching, check which PHP versions your theme, plugins or framework support. On WordPress, Tools → Site Health warns when the site runs an outdated PHP version. Update plugins and the theme first; old plugins are the usual reason a newer PHP version breaks a site.

  2. 02

    Open Select PHP Version

    In cPanel, go to Software → Select PHP Version. Our servers run CloudLinux, so this is where the account's PHP version is set. Choose the version from the list next to Current PHP version and apply it.

  3. 03

    Turn on the extensions you need

    On the same screen, the Extensions tab lists modules such as intl, imagick, zip and opcache. Tick the ones your application asks for. The Options tab sets limits like memory_limit, upload_max_filesize and max_execution_time.

  4. 04

    Make sure MultiPHP Manager is not overriding it

    Open Software → MultiPHP Manager. If it assigns a specific PHP version to a domain, that domain ignores Select PHP Version. Set the domain back to the system default (shown as inherit) and the version you chose in the previous step applies.

  5. 05

    Test the site

    Load a few pages, log in to the admin area and submit a form. If anything fails, read the error_log file in the site's folder or open Metrics → Errors. Switching back takes effect on the next page load, so trying a newer version is low-risk.

Which PHP version to choose

Pick the newest version your code supports. PHP 7.4 and 8.0 no longer receive security fixes, and support for 8.1 ended at the end of 2025. Anything from 8.2 upwards is still maintained.

Each 8.x release has also been faster than the last, and on LiteSpeed with OPcache the difference shows directly in time to first byte.

If the site breaks after switching

  • White screen or a 500 error: a plugin or theme calls a function the new version removed. The error_log names the file. Update or replace it, or switch back.
  • "Missing extension" message: tick that extension in Select PHP Version.
  • Nothing changed: MultiPHP Manager is overriding the domain. See step 4.

Common questions

No. The change applies from the next request, and switching back is just as quick.
Yes. MultiPHP Manager can pin a version per domain. Select PHP Version sets the account default that every other domain inherits.
The newest one your plugins and theme support. Site Health in the WordPress dashboard warns when the current version is out of date.
Usually, yes. Each PHP 8 release has improved performance, and the gain adds to LiteSpeed caching rather than replacing it.

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