How to change PHP version in CloudPanel
Switch PHP versions per site in CloudPanel, adjust php.ini settings, and manage PHP-FPM pool configuration.
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CloudPanel assigns a PHP version to each site independently. Each site runs its own PHP-FPM pool-meaning different sites can run different PHP versions simultaneously on the same server with full isolation.
Change PHP version
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Open site settings
Log in to CloudPanel, go to Sites, and click the site you want to modify.
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Go to PHP Settings
Click the PHP tab (or PHP Settings depending on your CloudPanel version).
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Select the new PHP version
Choose the desired PHP version from the dropdown. Available versions depend on what is installed on the server.
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Save
Click Save. CloudPanel updates the Nginx configuration and PHP-FPM pool for this site immediately.
After switching PHP versions, reload your site and check for errors. A PHP version upgrade may reveal deprecation warnings or compatibility issues with older plugins or code. Check the error logs if the site breaks after a version change.
Adjust PHP settings
Common PHP settings are adjustable directly from the PHP tab in CloudPanel:
| Setting | Description | Typical value for WordPress |
|---|---|---|
memory_limit | Maximum RAM per PHP process | 256M |
upload_max_filesize | Maximum single file upload size | 64M or 128M |
post_max_size | Maximum POST request size (must be ≥ upload_max_filesize) | 64M or 128M |
max_execution_time | Maximum seconds a PHP script can run | 120 |
max_input_vars | Maximum number of input variables per request | 5000 for complex forms |
Edit these values in the PHP settings form and click Save. Changes apply immediately-no server restart needed.
PHP-FPM settings
CloudPanel creates a dedicated PHP-FPM pool per site. Advanced FPM settings (such as pm.max_children and pm.max_requests) control how many simultaneous PHP processes the site can run. The defaults are suitable for most sites.
If your site has very high concurrent traffic and PHP processes are queuing up, increase pm.max_children. Be cautious-each PHP-FPM child process consumes RAM, and too many children can exhaust the VPS memory.
Each PHP-FPM worker typically uses 32–128 MB of RAM depending on the application. On a 2 GB VPS running multiple sites, setting pm.max_children too high across all sites can cause out-of-memory conditions. Monitor RAM usage before and after changes.
Verify the active PHP version
Create a temporary file at /home/SYSTEM_USER/htdocs/yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php via SFTP:
<?php phpinfo(); ?>Open https://yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php in a browser to see the active PHP version and loaded extensions. Delete the file immediately after checking.
Multiple sites, multiple PHP versions
One of CloudPanel's strengths is that each site runs its own PHP-FPM pool with its own PHP version. You can run:
- A WordPress 6.x site on PHP 8.2
- A legacy application on PHP 7.4
- A new Laravel project on PHP 8.3
All simultaneously on the same server without conflict. Change each site's PHP version independently from its settings page.
Related: How to create a website in CloudPanel | How to manage vHost settings in CloudPanel | How to install WordPress on UnderHost | CloudPanel troubleshooting-common issues and fixes
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