Each website on your cPanel account can run its own PHP version. Newer versions are faster and get security fixes, while some old plugins only work on older ones. MultiPHP Manager lets you choose the version domain by domain, so you can upgrade one site at a time.
Before you start
- Check which PHP version your application supports. WordPress, for example, recommends a currently supported PHP 8 release.
- Take a backup, or at least note the current version so you can switch back. See cPanel backups.
Change the version for a domain
- Open cPanel → Software → MultiPHP Manager.
- The table lists each domain with its current PHP Version. Domains marked inherit use the account or server default shown at the top.
- Tick the box next to one or more domains.
- Choose the new version in the PHP Version drop-down at the top right, for example
PHP 8.3 (ea-php83)oralt-php83. - Click Apply. The change is immediate.
Open the site and test important pages: home, login, checkout, forms and the admin area.
Tip: Upgrade a staging copy first. Softaculous can clone your site to a subdomain in a few clicks; see Softaculous staging.
MultiPHP Manager or Select PHP Version?
MdmHost servers run CloudLinux, so you may see two PHP tools:
| Tool | What it controls | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| MultiPHP Manager | Version per domain (EasyApache ea-php or alt-php packages) | Different versions for different domains |
| Select PHP Version (CloudLinux PHP Selector) | One version for the whole account plus its extensions and options | Enabling extensions like ioncube, imagick or intl |
On many servers the Selector only takes effect for domains whose MultiPHP setting is the server default (inherit) or the native version. If a change in one tool seems to have no effect, check the other. Details in Select PHP Version and extensions.
Check which version is really running
Create a file called info.php in the domain's document root with:
<?php phpinfo();Open https://yourdomain.com/info.php, read the version at the top, then delete the file. It reveals server details to anyone.
PHP-FPM
MultiPHP Manager may show a PHP-FPM column. PHP-FPM keeps PHP processes ready and is faster for busy sites. On LiteSpeed servers PHP runs through LSAPI, which is already optimised, so you usually do not need to change this.
Troubleshooting
- 500 error after switching: the code is not compatible, or an
.htaccessline such asAddHandler application/x-httpd-php56forces an old version. Remove that line and switch back while you update the code. See fix 500 errors. - White page / "Call to undefined function": an extension is missing in the new version. Enable it in Select PHP Version.
- Version list empty or locked: the server administrator restricts the setting; contact support.