Changing PHP Version¶
Update PHP on your website for better security and performance.
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Security
Older PHP versions contain known vulnerabilities.
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Performance
PHP 8.x is up to 40% faster than PHP 7.
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Compatibility
Modern CMS requires PHP 8.1+.
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Support
Only current versions receive security patches.
Why Update PHP?¶
- Security
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Older versions contain known vulnerabilities (RCE, XSS, SQLi) that are no longer patched.
- Performance
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PHP 8.x brings significant speed improvements for WordPress, Laravel, and other frameworks.
- Compatibility
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WordPress 6.x requires PHP 8.1+, Laravel requires PHP 8.2+.
PHP Version Overview¶
| Version | Status | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 5.6 – 7.4 | End of Life | Urgently update |
| 8.0 | End of Life | Move to 8.2+ |
| 8.1 | Security only | Recommend updating |
| 8.2 | Security Support | Stable choice |
| 8.3 | Active Support | Recommended version |
| 8.4 | Latest | Latest version |
| 8.5 | Available | Available at TUKE |
TUKE Webhosting
Supports all stable versions including PHP 8.5.
How to Change PHP Version¶
Open Website Management¶
Go to the portal and log in with your TUKE ID.
Check Current Version¶
On the dashboard, you'll see a PHP card – if marked as outdated, the version is obsolete.
Open PHP Settings¶
Click on the PHP icon to display settings.
Select New Version¶
In the dropdown menu, choose a supported version.
After changing, click OK at the bottom of the page.
Recommended Versions for Applications¶
| Application | Recommended Version |
|---|---|
| WordPress | PHP 8.2 / 8.3 |
| Laravel | PHP 8.2+ |
| Drupal | PHP 8.1+ |
| Nextcloud | PHP 8.2 / 8.3 |
| Moodle | PHP 8.1+ |
Common Issues¶
Website doesn't work after version change
Some older plugins or themes may not be compatible with new PHP.
Solution: You can always revert to the previous version and update problematic components.
Deprecated warnings in logs
New PHP versions warn about deprecated functions.
Solution: Update CMS and plugins to latest versions.
White pages (500 error)
Critical code incompatibility with new PHP version.
Solution: Revert to previous version and contact application developer.
Security Risks of Old PHP¶
Known Attacks on Old PHP
- SQL Injection – database query manipulation
- XSS – malicious code injection via forms
- RCE – remote code execution on server
- Directory Traversal – access to sensitive files