Use PHP Selector in cPanel to change the PHP version for your website. This guide explains how to check the selected version, activate another version and switch back if problems occur.
PHP is used by many website systems, including WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. A current, supported PHP version can improve your website’s security and performance, provided your website and its extensions are compatible.
Who is this guide for?
This guide applies exclusively to customers whose hosting is managed on the new
Webland platform (WHMCS) and whose hosting plan includes cPanel and PHP Selector.
Essential Hosting without cPanel: This guide does not apply to your hosting.
Previous platform using System Configurator or Domain Manager: Sign in at classic.webland.ch. The steps below do not apply to that platform.
Important information
Changing the PHP version can cause a website or individual features to stop working correctly.
Prepare before switching:
Back up your website files and database.
Check which PHP versions your website system, plugins, themes and custom scripts support.
Update your website software and its extensions to compatible versions.
Note the currently selected PHP version.
The change may affect multiple websites: Websites within the same cPanel account that use PHP Selector may share the same PHP setting. Check all affected websites after switching.
Requirements
Before you begin, make sure you:
Have access to your cPanel hosting service.
Can open PHP Selector.
Have created a current backup and checked compatibility.
Step 1: Sign in to cPanel
Find your hosting service in the active services overview in the client area.
Click “Log in to cPanel”.
You will be signed in to cPanel automatically.
Step 2: Open PHP Selector
Open the “Software” section in cPanel and click “Select PHP Version”.
PHP Selector will open.
Step 3: Check the selected PHP version
Check “Current PHP version” and note the selected version.
This shows the selection in PHP Selector. If a domain uses a separate PHP configuration, its actual PHP version may differ.
You can also check the active version in your website software’s system information, if it provides this feature.
Step 4: Select and activate a new PHP version
Open the PHP version dropdown.
Choose an available version that your website supports.
If a “Set as current” button appears, click it.
Check that the version you selected is now shown as current.
The available versions depend on your hosting service’s configuration.
Note: Changing the PHP version does not update WordPress, plugins, themes or other website files.
Step 5: Check your website
After switching, test:
Your homepage and other pages.
Login and administration areas.
Forms, search and file uploads.
The shopping cart and checkout process, if you run an online shop.
Also check other websites in the same hosting account that use PHP Selector.
Switch back if problems occur
Open PHP Selector again.
Select the previous PHP version you noted earlier, provided it is still available.
Activate it and test your website again.
Switching back temporarily may help restore access to your website. Then investigate the cause so you can use a supported PHP version.
Troubleshooting
My website displays a blank page or a 500 error
Your website or one of its extensions may be incompatible with the selected version. Switch back temporarily and check the error logs or contact your website developer.
A PHP extension is missing after switching
Under “Extensions” in PHP Selector, check whether the required extension is available and enabled for the selected version. If it is unavailable, contact Webland Support.
My website still uses a different PHP version
The domain may use a separate setting, for example in MultiPHP Manager. Contact Webland Support if you are unsure which setting applies to your website.
The required PHP version or PHP Selector is missing
Contact Webland Support and provide the affected hosting service and the PHP version you need.