WordPress PHP Compatibility Guide – Powered by Rocon

WordPress PHP compatibility: Did you know PHP is the engine of your WordPress site? It handles everything, from themes and plugins to site speed and security.  But here’s the thing: utilizing out-of-date PHP is like driving a car with worn-out brakes: dangerous and unreliable.

WordPress requires PHP 7.4 or above, and the latest version supports PHP 8.3.  Why upgrade?  Newer PHP offers faster page load times, increased security, and improved plugin compatibility.  However, many people are unaware that outdated PHP versions can cause websites to crash, create security flaws, and degrade performance.

Scared to upgrade?  Do not be. Switching PHP versions is simple and safe when you use the correct hosting (such as Rocon), backups, and compatibility tools.

So, if you want your WordPress site to perform smoothly, faster, and safer, keeping PHP up to date is not an option; it is a requirement. Don’t wait until something breaks. Stay current and future proof your site today.

Think of PHP as the behind the scenes hero of your WordPress site. Every time someone visits your website, PHP takes over—building the page, retrieving data from your database, running plugin logic, and making everything appear exactly right.

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a server-side scripting language, which means that all of the magic occurs on the server before the visitor views the final page in their browser.  PHP handles everything from contact form processing to layout management for your theme.

In fact, WordPress is almost entirely written in PHP. So are your plugins, themes and custom functions. Without it WordPress wouldn’t exist—it’s the core language that makes the whole platform tick.

If your PHP is outdated it can cause errors, slow down your site or leave it vulnerable to security threats. That’s why keeping PHP up to date is not just technical maintenance—it’s site care.

As of WordPress 6.7, WordPress recommends PHP 7.4 or higher for performance, security and stability. WordPress 6.7 still supports down to PHP 7.2.24 but using outdated PHP versions is not recommended.

Why it matters: PHP 7.2 and 7.3 has End of Life (EOL) – meaning no more security patches or updates. Running your site on an unsupported PHP version increases the risk of security vulnerabilities and performance issues.

The latest stable PHP version is 8.3 which is faster, better error handling and more secure. But before you upgrade always check theme and plugin compatibility to avoid site breaks.

Tip: Keep both WordPress and PHP up to date to run your site smoothly, securely and efficiently.

Keeping your PHP up to date isn’t just a technical tick box – it’s a fundamental part of running a secure, stable and fast website. Here’s why this matters:

Security

Out of date PHP versions are more vulnerable to known exploits. Once a version reaches End of Life (EOL) it stops getting security patches and your WordPress site is exposed to threats. Upgrading to a supported PHP version protects your site from exploits and cyber attacks.

Performance

PHP 8.x versions are way faster than PHP 7.x. Faster means quicker load times, less server resource usage and a better experience for users and search engines.

Stability

Newer PHP versions fix bugs and are more reliable. Sites on updated versions have fewer crashes, plugin conflicts and theme and custom code compatibility issues.

Compatibility

Themes and plugins evolve to support the latest PHP standards. Using an up-to-date.

PHP Version

means your WordPress ecosystem works as expected without functionality errors.

When updating to newer versions of PHP—especially PHP 8 and above—some WordPress sites will have compatibility issues. These are usually caused by outdated or poorly coded plugins, themes or hosting environments. Here’s what can go wrong:

• Deprecated PHP Functions: Plugins and themes built for older PHP versions may use functions that have been removed or deprecated. When these functions are called in newer PHP versions they will trigger warnings or errors and break the site.
• Strict Typing in PHP 8+: PHP 8 introduced strict typing which enforces more rules for how data is passed to functions. If your code doesn’t follow these rules what used to be a warning will now crash the site.
• Warnings Become Errors: In newer PHP versions certain warnings and notices are now treated as fatal errors. This will break pages or the admin area.
• Hosting Limitations: Some shared or budget hosting providers delay offering newer PHP versions. This forces users to run outdated PHP which puts the site at risk and limits plugin compatibility.

To minimize these issues always test updates on a staging environment, use well maintained plugins/themes and choose a hosting provider that keeps PHP up to date—like Rocon.

Before you upgrade your PHP, you need to audit your WordPress site’s codebase to avoid compatibility issues. Lucky for you, there are some great tools for developers to make this process easier.

PHP compatibility for PHP CodeSniffer is a must have. It scans your code and flags deprecated or incompatible functions that won’t work with newer PHP versions. This helps you identify the risky areas early so you can patch or replace the outdated code before you go live.

Rector is another super tool. It automates the process of refactoring your PHP codebase to the standards of the latest versions. Rector can change syntax, upgrade functions and fix common compatibility issues – saving you hours of manual work.

And don’t forget the official PHP Migration Guides. These documents have a list of changes, deprecated features and best practices for each PHP version.

Using these tools will make your PHP upgrade smoother and safer and your WordPress site more secure and future-proof.

In short, keeping PHP up to date is a low-effort high-impact move that improves every aspect of your WordPress site – security, speed.

Updating PHP is important—but do it right and your site will stay secure and working. Follow these steps:

1. Backup Your Site

Before you do anything, take a full backup of your site’s files and database. This is your safety net.

2. Check Your Current PHP Version

Use your hosting control panel or a plugin like Display PHP Version to find out what you’re currently running.

3. Update WordPress, Plugins and Themes

Make sure everything is up to date. Outdated themes or plugins may not be compatible with newer PHP versions.

4. Switch to the Latest PHP Version

Most hosting dashboards will have an option to change the PHP version—choose the latest one (e.g. PHP 8.3).

5. Test Your Site

Use a staging site or tools like LocalWP to make sure everything is working after the upgrade.

6. Get Help if Needed

Managed hosting providers like Mindpath can do the PHP upgrade for you and help with any troubleshooting.

Yes—mostly. The WordPress core has supported PHP 8.0 and above since 5.6. But full compatibility depends on your plugins and themes. Many developers have updated their code but some third-party tools still use outdated or deprecated PHP functions.

Why be cautious:

PHP 8 introduces strict typing and new error handling. This means functions that used to work with loose typing may now throw warnings or fatal errors and break parts of your site.

What to do:

Before upgrading to PHP 8+ on your live site, test your setup in a staging environment. Check for plugin/theme updates and look for error logs after switching.

WordPress can run on PHP 8—but only if your whole stack is ready. If in doubt, ask your host or developer.

Choosing the right host isn’t just about speed—it’s also about being compatible and secure. A good host makes sure your site can handle the latest PHP updates without breaking.

Managed WordPress hosting platforms like Rocon make PHP compatibility easy and stress-free. Here’s how:

Always up-to-date: Rocon has the latest stable PHP versions available.

Built-in compatibility tools: Find plugin/theme issues before you upgrade.

Automatic backups & updates: Protect your site and everything will run smoothly.

Developer tools: From staging environments to performance insights, upgrading PHP is a breeze even for growing teams.

If you want to be stress free when updating PHP hosting matters. Go with Rocon, built with security, performance and compatibility in mind.

PHP is more than just a technical checkbox—it’s the foundation of your website’s performance, security and stability. As WordPress evolves, staying on the latest supported PHP version means your site will run smoothly, load faster and be protected from vulnerabilities.

Whether you’re a developer, blogger or business owner, keeping PHP and WordPress in sync should be a non negotiable part of your website maintenance.

• Check your PHP version
• Test updates in a staging environment
• Partner with a reliable host like Rocon that takes care of everything for you

Don’t let outdated PHP hold your WordPress site back. Stay ahead, stay secure and keep building.

1. What is the minimum PHP version for WordPress in 2025?

WordPress 6.7 requires PHP 7.4 or higher. PHP 7.2.24 is still supported but using older versions is strongly discouraged due to security and performance issues.

2. What is the best PHP version for WordPress right now?

The best one is the latest stable release: PHP 8.3. It’s faster, more secure and stable. Just make sure your themes and plugins are compatible before switching.

3. Will updating PHP break my WordPress site?

It could—if your themes or plugins are not compatible with the new PHP version. That’s why you should test in a staging environment, update everything and backup your site first.

4. How do I check my current PHP version in WordPress?

You can check via your hosting control panel (cPanel or Plesk) or use a plugin like “Display PHP Version.”

5. What happens if I don’t update my PHP version?

Running an old PHP version leaves your site open to security breaches, slower performance, plugin conflicts and poor SEO rankings. Over time your plugins and themes will stop working.

6. Is WordPress PHP compatibility the same for all themes and plugins?

No. Some developers update their code for newer PHP versions, others don’t. Always check the theme/plugin changelog or support forums for compatibility information before updating.