While our shared servers do allow for the selection of multiple PHP versions, we highly recommend only using up-to-date software which supports the use of a current PHP version (more information here). Outdated PHP versions no longer receive security updates, and can open your sites up to major vulnerabilities.
More information on end-of-life PHP versions
Please keep in mind that we do regularly apply patches and updates to the software on the servers. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that their sites are up-to-date and compatible with current, supported software. Using legacy software that requires end-of-life PHP versions may require periodic maintenance on the customer’s part to account for compatibility issues.
Common issues with sites requiring PHP 5.3 or prior:
- Sites requiring PHP's 'register_globals' function will need their PHP version manually set to 5.3 or prior; this function was removed from PHP 5.4+ in 2012 for security vulnerabilities. The ‘register_globals’ function was deprecated in PHP 5.3 in 2009, which means it is disabled by default. It will need to be manually enabled in cPanel > 'Select PHP Version' > PHP Options
- A 500 Internal Server Error or ‘missing mysql/mysqli extensions’ warnings may be caused by a 'suPHP_ConfigPath' directive in an .htaccess file, which may be in the /home/username/ or /home/username/public_html directories.
This directive is no longer supported, and is not compatible with custom PHP versions set via 'Select PHP Version' in cPanel. 'Select PHP Version' should be used for all customizations to PHP versions and settings for an account. The 'suPHP_ConfigPath' directive should be removed or commented out with a '#' character in that .htaccess file, as follows:
Change this:
suPHP_ConfigPath /home/username
to this:
#suPHP_ConfigPath /home/username
- A site loading a blank page may indicate that an earlier PHP version is required. Try reviewing the software’s error_log file for ‘Deprecated’ warnings and/or setting an older PHP version in ‘Select PHP Version’ in cPanel.
