How to Change Your PHP Version in cPanel Using PHP Selector

Different websites and applications require different PHP versions to run correctly. If your website displays errors after an update, or if you need to run a newer (or older) version of PHP, you can change it directly from cPanel.

When Should You Change PHP Version?

• After a WordPress or plugin update that requires a newer PHP version
• Website errors like "Parse error", "Fatal error", or blank white screens caused by PHP incompatibility
• Performance improvement — Newer PHP versions (8.x) are significantly faster than older ones
• Security — Older PHP versions (7.x and below) no longer receive security patches
• Application requirements — A new CMS or framework specifies a minimum PHP version

Recommended PHP Versions

Tip: Always use the latest stable PHP version that your website supports. Newer versions are faster and more secure.

Method 1: MultiPHP Manager (Recommended)

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

Navigate to yourdomain.com/cpanel or log in via the Cynet client area at manage.cynet.com.my.

Step 2: Open MultiPHP Manager

In the cPanel dashboard, scroll to the Software section and click MultiPHP Manager.

Step 3: Select Your Domain

1. You'll see a list of all domains and subdomains on your account
2. Check the box next to the domain(s) you want to change

Step 4: Choose the PHP Version

1. From the PHP Version dropdown at the top-right, select the version you want (e.g., ea-php83 for PHP 8.3)
2. Click Apply

Method 2: PHP Selector (CloudLinux)

Some Cynet hosting plans use CloudLinux's PHP Selector, which offers additional control over PHP extensions and settings.

Step 1: Open PHP Selector

In cPanel, scroll to the Software section and click Select PHP Version or PHP Selector.

Step 2: Change the PHP Version

1. At the top of the page, you'll see the Current PHP version dropdown
2. Select the desired version
3. Click Set as current or Apply

Step 3: Manage PHP Extensions (Optional)

PHP Selector also lets you enable or disable individual PHP extensions:

1. Below the version selector, you'll see a list of available extensions
2. Check or uncheck extensions as needed. Common extensions:

1. Click Save to apply the extension changes

Step 4: Adjust PHP Settings (Optional)

Click Options or Switch to PHP Options to adjust PHP settings:

Verifying the PHP Version

Method 1: cPanel

Go back to MultiPHP Manager — your domain should show the updated version.

Method 2: PHP Info File

1. Go to cPanel → File Manager → /publichtml/
2. Create a new file called phpinfo.php with this content:

<?php phpinfo(); ?>

1. Visit yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php in your browser
2. The page displays your active PHP version and all settings
3. Delete the file after checking — leaving it accessible is a security risk

Method 3: WordPress Dashboard

In WordPress admin, go to Tools → Site Health → Info → Server — the PHP version is listed there.

Troubleshooting

Website shows errors after changing PHP version

• A plugin, theme, or your application may not be compatible with the new version
• Quick fix: Revert to the previous PHP version in MultiPHP Manager
• Proper fix: Update the incompatible plugin/theme to a version that supports the new PHP, then switch again

"500 Internal Server Error" after change

• Check cPanel → Metrics → Errors for the specific error
• The .htaccess file may contain PHP directives incompatible with the new version
• Try renaming .htaccess temporarily to test

WordPress white screen after PHP change

• A plugin is likely incompatible. Deactivate all plugins:

• Switch to a default theme to rule out theme incompatibility
• Reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit

PHP extensions missing after version change

When switching PHP versions, the enabled extensions may reset to defaults. Go to PHP Selector → re-enable any required extensions (especially mysqli, curl, mbstring, zip, gd).

Changes not taking effect

• Clear your browser cache and try in an incognito window
• If using a caching plugin (LiteSpeed Cache, WP Super Cache), purge the cache
• Check that you changed the PHP version for the correct domain (not a subdomain or addon domain)