How To Change The PHP Version On A Plesk Server?

In the dynamic world of web development, keeping your applications up-to-date is crucial for maintaining functionality, security, and access to new features. One common task that website owners and administrators often face is updating the PHP version on their Plesk servers. This process is essential for compatibility with the latest web technologies and for leveraging performance improvements.

Plesk, a powerful and user-friendly web hosting control panel, simplifies this process. By providing a straightforward way to manage server configurations, Plesk allows you to seamlessly switch between PHP versions. Whether you need the latest PHP for new features or an older version for legacy support, understanding how to change the PHP version on a Plesk server can help you adapt to evolving application requirements with ease.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of changing the PHP version on your Plesk server, ensuring your website stays current, secure, and optimized.

Meet new compatibility standards

Fortunately, Plesk makes this easier. It is a web hosting control panel that allows for the easy creation of such subdomains and provides the flexibility of switching between different versions in the same environment.

Here, is a set of instructions on the process of changing the PHP version on the Plesk server.

Understanding PHP Versions

PHP is a server-side scripting language that is responsible for the functioning of a large part of the Internet. As it evolves, new versions are released with: 

Enhancements

Security patches

Performance improvements

However, not all PHP applications are compatible with the latest versions. Therefore, Plesk provides the flexibility to switch between different PHP versions to ensure compatibility and performance optimization.

Accessing the Plesk Control Panel

Log in to your control panel using your credentials. 

You will be directed to the Plesk home page. It provides access to various server management tools and settings.

Navigating to PHP Settings

Go to the “Websites & Domains” section.

From the dropdown menu, select the one for which you want to change the version.

It will open the domain's settings page.

Selecting PHP Settings

Within the domain settings page, find and click on the "PHP Settings" option. 

This will take you to the settings management interface, where you can view and modify the PHP configuration for the selected domain.

Choosing PHP Version

In the settings interface, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled "PHP version." 

Click on this dropdown menu to reveal a list of available PHP versions installed on your Plesk server. 

Choose the desired PHP version from the list.

Applying Changes

Hit on the "Apply" button to save your changes. 

Plesk will then apply the new PHP version configuration to the selected domain.

Testing Compatibility

Navigate to your website and perform thorough testing to ensure that all functionality works as expected.

Monitoring Performance

After switching PHP versions, monitor the performance of your website or web application closely. 

Keep an eye on: 

Server resource usage

Page load times

Any potential errors or warnings in your web server logs.

To Sum it Up!
Changing the PHP version on a Plesk via the control panel is easy. As outlined in this guide, switch between different versions and check the compatibility and performance of your websites and web applications. Remember to test thoroughly and monitor performance after making any changes to PHP settings.