How to Change the PHP Version per Domain

OpenPanel lets every website run its own PHP version - an old app can stay on PHP 7.4 while a new site uses PHP 8.4, on the same account. Each version runs in its own PHP-FPM container, started automatically when a domain needs it.

Change the PHP Version of a Website​

1. Go to OpenPanel → PHP → Select PHP Version.
2. Find the domain and choose the new version from the dropdown.
3. Save.

OpenPanel updates the domain's web server configuration and reloads it. If the chosen PHP version isn't running yet, its container is started - the first switch to a new version can take a few seconds.

The page also shows each version's support status, so you can spot sites on outdated or unsupported PHP versions.

See Select PHP Version.

For WordPress sites​

In OpenPanel → WordPress, open the site's Manage page - the PHP version is shown there too and can be changed for sites installed at the domain root.

Set the Default Version for New Domains​

Go to OpenPanel → PHP → Default PHP Version and choose the version new domains should use. Existing domains keep their current version. See Default PHP Version.

Before You Switch: Check Compatibility​

Newer PHP versions are faster and more secure, but old code can break:

1. Update your CMS, plugins and themes first. Most compatibility problems come from outdated plugins.
2. Test on a copy. For WordPress, create a staging site, switch its PHP version, and click through the site.
3. Check the requirements. For example, WordPress recommends PHP 8.3+, Laravel 11 needs PHP 8.2+, Drupal 11 needs PHP 8.3+.
4. Keep a backup.

If the site breaks after switching (white page, "critical error", 500 error), switch back to the previous version - it takes effect immediately. Then see Fix the WordPress white screen / critical error.

PHP Settings and Extensions per Version​

Each PHP version has its own settings. After switching, check that your settings and extensions are there for the new version:

• php.ini values (memory_limit, upload_max_filesize, ...) - PHP → PHP.INI Editor or PHP → Options, per version. See Increase PHP limits.
• Per-website overrides with .user.ini - see PHP settings per website.
• Extensions (ionCube, Redis, imagick, ...) - see How to install a PHP extension.

From the Terminal (Administrators)​

# show a domain's PHP version
opencli php-domain example.com

# change it
opencli php-domain example.com --update 8.4

# default version for new domains of a user
opencli php-default USERNAME --update 8.4

See opencli php.

Check Which Version a Site Uses​

Create phpinfo.php in the site folder:

<?php phpinfo();

Open https://example.com/phpinfo.php, check the version at the top, then delete the file - it reveals server details.

Related​

• Host a PHP website
• Deploy a Laravel app