How to Update the PHP Version on Your Hosting Account

You can update the PHP version for your website from your control panel, using MultiPHP Manager in cPanel or Select PHP Version in DirectAdmin. The steps below cover both.

Change PHP version in cPanel

If your hosting plan uses cPanel, PHP versions are managed per domain with MultiPHP Manager.

Steps

1. Log in to cPanel and find MultiPHP Manager in the Software section.
2. Tick the box next to the domain or domains you want to update.
3. Choose the PHP version you want from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Apply to save the change.

Make sure you use MultiPHP Manager and not the MultiPHP INI Editor, which is a separate tool for adjusting PHP settings such as memory limits rather than switching versions. The change takes effect immediately on the next page load, with no downtime.

Change PHP version in DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin servers use CloudLinux's Select PHP Version tool.

Steps

1. Log in to DirectAdmin.
2. In the Extra Features section, click Select PHP version (or type "Select PHP" in the navigation search box and click the result).
3. Use the drop-down menu next to the current PHP version to pick the new version.
4. Click Set as current to apply it.

By default this change applies to the whole account rather than a single domain. Some DirectAdmin setups also offer Per Domain Settings, which let you set a different PHP version, custom PHP options and extensions for each domain separately. Check for this option if you host more than one site on the account and only want to update one of them.

Which PHP version to choose

As of October 2026, PHP 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5 are the actively supported branches. PHP 8.1 and older versions no longer receive security updates, so avoid them if you have a choice.

• For most modern websites, choose the newest version your software supports, since it brings both speed and security improvements.
• If you run WordPress, check the plugin and theme documentation before jumping more than one major version, and note that current WordPress releases recommend PHP 8.3 or higher.
• If you are unsure what your application needs, check its documentation for the minimum and recommended PHP version.

What to check after changing PHP version

1. Back up your site before making the change, in case you need to roll back.
2. After switching, open the MultiPHP INI Editor (cPanel) or the extensions list in Select PHP Version (DirectAdmin) and re-enable any extensions your site needs, as available extensions can differ between PHP versions.
3. Visit your homepage, inner pages, admin area and any checkout or form pages to confirm everything still works.
4. If you run WordPress or another CMS, test on a staging copy first if one is available, before applying the change to your live site.

Troubleshooting

• Fatal errors after switching: usually caused by a missing extension on the new version, or a plugin/theme that is not yet compatible with it. Re-enable the required extension, or switch back to the previous PHP version until the plugin or theme is updated.
• Version doesn't seem to change: check your site's .htaccess file for old AddHandler or SetHandler lines left over from a previous PHP Selector setup, and remove them.
• Errors only appear on some pages: this often points to a specific plugin or script using an outdated PHP function; check that plugin's compatibility with your new PHP version.

If the PHP version still won't change, extensions are missing after switching, or you see errors you can't resolve, contact Hostking support via live chat or by opening a support ticket from the client area.