Understanding the Importance of Updating PHP on Your WordPress Site

As a WordPress user, it’s crucial to keep your website up-to-date for various reasons. One of the essential updates that require your attention is updating PHP on your WordPress site. PHP is the programming language that WordPress is built on, and keeping it updated ensures that your site runs smoothly and stays secure.

Step-by-Step Guide to Updating PHP on Your WordPress Site

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced site owner, we’ve got you covered. Below is a detailed guide to updating PHP on your WordPress site:

Step 1: Check Your Site’s PHP Version

Before updating PHP on your WordPress site, check your current version using a plugin like PHP Compatibility Checker. This plugin will scan your site and inform you which PHP version your site is currently running.

To use the plugin:

1. Install and activate it from the WordPress Plugin Repository
2. Go to Tools > PHP Compatibility in your WordPress dashboard.

The plugin will run a scan of your site, and you’ll see the results if your site is outdated. You’ll need to update the PHP version.

Step 2: Backup Your Site

Backup your website before making any changes! It’s essential to have a backup, so you can restore your site to its previous state if anything goes wrong.

To backup your site:

1. Install and activate UpdraftPlus
2. Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups in your WordPress dashboard
3. Choose where you want to backup your site and configure the plugin to automatically backup your site routinely.

Step 3: Update PHP

You can update PHP on your WordPress site through your web host or manually.

Option 1: Updating PHP Through Your Web Host

The one-click update process offered by some web hosts makes updating PHP quick and easy. Visit your web host dashboard and navigate to the PHP section. Select a version of PHP to update and click the ‘update’ button.

Option 2: Updating PHP Manually

Manually updating PHP gives you more control over the process but is more complicated than the one-click option.

To update PHP manually:

1. Connect to your site using FTP. (Use FileZilla if you don’t have an FTP client already.)
2. In the root directory of your WordPress folder, locate the .htaccess file and download it to your computer.
3. Using a text editor like Notepad, add the code: AddHandler application/x-httpd-php7 .php at the top of the file.
4. Save the file and upload back to your server using FTP.
5. Check your site to ensure everything is running correctly. If all is good, you’ve successfully updated PHP on your WordPress site.

Step 4: Test Your Site

Once you’ve updated PHP on your WordPress site, it’s essential to test your site to ensure everything is working correctly.

To test your site:

1. Install and activate a plugin like WP Health from the WordPress Plugin Repository
2. Go to Tools > WP Health in your WordPress dashboard
3. The plugin will scan your site and identify any issues that require attention

Address any errors identified by the plugin before updating your site fully, which could include updating plugins or themes that are no longer compatible.

Conclusion

Updating PHP on your WordPress site is a vital step in keeping your site running smoothly and staying secure. By following the steps outlined above, you can update PHP on your site quickly and easily. Ensure you always backup your site before updating, and test your site to verify that everything is working correctly. By taking these precautions, you can safeguard your WordPress site and keep it up-to-date.