It seems that you’re running an outdated version of PHP (if you were linked to this page from within your WordPress dashboard). This means the programming language running your site is either insecure or no longer supported, or both.
WordPress and ExactMetrics run on the programming language PHP and it’s important to keep your PHP version up-to-date. In this guide, we’ll explain why and how to upgrade.
Why Keep PHP Updated?
Older PHP versions:
- no longer receive security updates.
- may not be supported by WordPress Core in the near future.
- makes you vulnerable to hackers.
Newer PHP versions are both faster and more secure. WordPress Core is removing support for older versions, meaning that your site may miss out on new versions of WordPress and potential security fixes.
ExactMetrics adopts the same minimum requirements as WordPress so it is recommended to upgrade to PHP 8.2 or newer. By doing so, you’ll increase your site speed by 400%.
If you’re unable to update your PHP to the latest version, you should be able to upgrade to PHP 8.0 at the very least.
ExactMetrics no longer supports:
- PHP 5.2 and PHP 5.3 (as of February 2020)
- PHP 5.4 and PHP 5.5 (as of November 2020)
- PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0 and PHP 7.1 (as of July, 2023)
- PHP 7.2 (as of November, 2023)
WordPress will be discontinuing support for PHP 7.0 – 7.4 in a future update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which version should I update to?
Upgrade to PHP 8.2 or higher.
If anything, upgrade to the latest version that is available by your web host. Most sites should be able to upgrade easily to PHP 8.0+ without issue.
How do I update PHP?
Prerequisites:
- Back up your WordPress site before making any major changes.
- Easily make backups with the popular BackupBuddy plugin.
- Or view other options in WPBeginner’s post: 7 Best WordPress Backup Plugins Compared (Pros and Cons).
You will need to contact your web host to update your PHP version.
This is usually done by submitting a support ticket with your hosting provider, or sometimes it’s possible to do within your web host’s control panel.
Updating PHP should only take a few minutes. For almost all hosting providers, it will require minimal downtime, if any at all.
What to do if Your Host Won’t Update PHP?
For most hosting providers, updating your PHP version is a simple request, it makes your site safer and faster, and should be done relatively quickly. If you find that your web host is resistant to your request, then it’s a cause for concern.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s best to switch to a more reliable web host. You can find a list of recommended WordPress hosting companies listed on WPBeginner’s article.
Bluehost and SiteGround are a few of our favorites (we’re hosted with SiteGround!). They are also officially recommended by WordPress as well.
What to Say to your web host?
Copy and paste our template into a support ticket to send to your hosting provider:
Dear Hosting Provider, I would like to verify if my hosting account is running PHP 8.2 or newer, and if I'm also running the latest version of WordPress. If I am not already on the latest version of PHP or WP, please let me know what steps I need to take to update. Thanks!