Change PHP Version in StackCP (2026 Guide)

Yes, You Can Change PHP Version

To change PHP version or adjust other settings, this is available via the Manage Hosting > Select Package > PHP Configuration section of our control panel. Alternatively, you can create a custom file in your webspace with your desired PHP configuration. Please note that PHP will only read a custom configuration once every 5 minutes, so it can take a short time before the configuration changes appear on your website. This is always the case for our WordPress platform, as PHP-FPM caches the configuration quite aggresively.

Control Panel

The PHP Configuration icon inside the control panel allows you to view and modify a list of the more common configuration options. You can also see our default values. To change one, simply enter your preferred value in the text input or make a radio selection and save.

File System (Advanced)

If you wish to set an option that is not listed in the control panel, you can just modify the ~/public_html/.user.ini file directly via File Manager. This file is parsed in addition to our standard PHP configuration by our web server, allowing you to change almost all the PHP settings for your website. If you’ve already made changes via the control panel you will see those in a .user.ini already. For example “max_input_time=500” would set max_input_time to 500 seconds.

Testing

The best way to confirm the settings are live is via phpinfo(). This allows you to see the current (local) and default (global) PHP configuration. To do this, use File Manager or an FTP client to create a file, for example “info.php”, with the following content:

phpinfo();
?>

Then visit your website via domain.com/info.php and you’ll see all PHP configuration settings. Please remember to remove the script when you’ve finished testing.

You can change PHP version and other settings anytime from the control panel. For more hosting guides, visit the Fist Host blog or see the official PHP documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the PHP version on my hosting account?

Yes. To change PHP version or adjust other settings, use Manage Hosting > Select Package > PHP Configuration inside your control panel.

What if the PHP setting I need is not listed in the control panel?

You can modify the ~/public_html/php.ini file directly. If you need help, contact FistHost support.

How do I confirm my PHP settings are live?

The best way to confirm the settings are live is via phpinfo(). Upload an info.php file, then visit your website via domain.com/info.php to see all PHP configuration settings.

Related Guides

Which PHP Version Should You Choose?

As a rule, use the newest PHP version your website supports. Newer versions are significantly faster and receive security updates, while older versions eventually stop getting fixes. WordPress itself runs best on recent PHP — check your theme and plugin documentation if you are unsure about compatibility.

If your site breaks after switching versions, switch back immediately and investigate. The usual culprits are outdated plugins or custom code using removed functions. Update everything first, then try the newer PHP again. You can confirm the active version anytime with a phpinfo() page or in the WordPress Site Health screen under the Info tab.

One last tip: after changing PHP settings, clear any caching plugins and your browser cache before testing. Cached pages can make it look like your changes did nothing when they actually applied correctly.