How to Change PHP Version on DirectAdmin Hosting

1. Why Change PHP Version?

PHP powers over 80% of websites worldwide, including WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Each PHP version has a defined End of Life (EOL) date. Once a version reaches EOL, it no longer receives security patches, leaving your site vulnerable to attacks.

Key reasons to change PHP version:

• Security — Outdated PHP versions have unpatched vulnerabilities
• Performance — PHP 8.x is 30–50% faster than PHP 7.x for typical workloads
• Compatibility — New plugins and themes require newer PHP versions
• New features — PHP 8.x brings named arguments, fibers, and JIT compilation

2. Comparing PHP Versions

Overview of PHP versions commonly found on hosting:

AsiaGB Hosting supports PHP 7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3. You can switch versions instantly through DirectAdmin without contacting support.

3. Changing PHP via DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin includes a PHP Version Selector for easy version management. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to DirectAdmin at yourdomain.com:2222 or the URL provided
2. Navigate to Advanced Features or Software
3. Click PHP Version Selector or PHP Selector
4. Select the domain to modify (if you have multiple domains)
5. Choose your desired PHP version from the dropdown
6. Click Save or Apply
7. Wait a moment, then refresh your website

If you can't find the PHP Version Selector

If the menu isn't visible in DirectAdmin, try these alternative locations:

• Extra Features → PHP Version Manager
• Domain Setup → PHP Version (per domain)
• User Level → Top right menu → PHP

If still not found, contact AsiaGB support via Ticket to request a PHP version change.

4. Changing PHP via .htaccess

You can also specify PHP version for a specific directory using .htaccess:

# Change PHP for this directory only
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php82 .php
# Or using fcgi
AddHandler fcgid-script .php
FCGIWrapper /usr/local/bin/php82-cgi .php

Using the DirectAdmin PHP Selector is generally preferred as it's more reliable and works with all server configurations.

5. Verifying Your PHP Version

After changing PHP, always verify the correct version is active:

Method 1: phpinfo()

<?php
// Create info.php — delete it after checking!
phpinfo();
?>

Method 2: PHP CLI

php -v

Method 3: WordPress Health Check

In WordPress Admin → Tools → Site Health → Info → Server, the current PHP version is displayed.

6. Essential PHP Extensions

Key extensions required for WordPress and general web applications:

In DirectAdmin, extensions can be managed via PHP Selector → Extensions. Some hosting plans may limit which extensions can be modified.

7. Troubleshooting After PHP Change

Common issues after changing PHP version and how to resolve them:

White Screen or 500 Error

Usually caused by a plugin or theme incompatible with the new PHP version:

1. Switch back to the previous PHP version temporarily
2. Check the PHP error log in DirectAdmin → Files → Log Viewer
3. Deactivate plugins one by one to identify the problematic one
4. Update all plugins and themes to the latest version before upgrading PHP

Functions or Features Not Working

PHP 8.x removed or changed behavior of some PHP 7.x functions:

• each() removed in PHP 8.0
• create_function() removed in PHP 8.0
• Implicit string-to-int conversion changed in PHP 8.0
• str_contains(), str_starts_with() added in PHP 8.0 (not available in 7.x)

Database Connection Error

Verify that the new PHP version has the mysqli or pdo_mysql extension enabled. Check via phpinfo() or DirectAdmin PHP Extensions.

Sessions or Cookies Not Working

Check session.save_path in php.ini and the permissions of the session storage directory.

8. PHP Version for WordPress

WordPress recommends these PHP versions based on current releases:

Steps to Upgrade PHP for WordPress

1. Backup — Always back up both database and files first
2. Check plugin compatibility — Review plugin pages for tested PHP version
3. Update WordPress, plugins, themes — Update everything to the latest versions first
4. Test on staging — If you have a staging environment, test there first
5. Change PHP on production — Via DirectAdmin PHP Selector
6. Test the site — Check all key pages, forms, and features

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary

Changing PHP version on DirectAdmin Hosting is quick and easy via the PHP Selector. Upgrading to PHP 8.2 or 8.3 delivers better security and performance. Always back up your site first, and test thoroughly after the change. If you encounter issues, AsiaGB's support team is available 24/7 via Ticket to help.