Outdated PHP – What it means for your site

If you’ve logged into your WordPress Dashboard recently, you may have seen a new warning message that reads:

PHP Update Recommended
Your site is running on an outdated version of PHP (7.4.33), which does not receive security updates. It should be updated.
The minimum recommended version of PHP is 8.3.

You’ll also see the same message echoed in the Site Health Check section under Tools in your Dashboard. While this may appear alarming at first, it’s an important (and long overdue) nudge from WordPress to improve website security and performance across the board.

What Is PHP, and Why Does It Matter?

PHP is the scripting language that powers the vast majority of WordPress websites. Just like any software, newer versions of PHP are faster, more secure, and better supported. Version 7.4 officially reached end of life in November 2022, meaning it no longer receives security updates — even for critical vulnerabilities.

Running an outdated version like PHP 7.4 leaves your site exposed to potential security risks and may already be impacting performance.

How This Affects Your Website

Most websites hosted on older servers are still running PHP 7.4 for compatibility reasons. However, hosting providers and WordPress itself are increasingly pushing for upgrades to PHP 8.3 — now the minimum recommended version by WordPress core.

Unfortunately, not all WordPress sites are immediately compatible with PHP 8.x. Incompatible themes, outdated plugins, or custom code can cause errors, broken layouts, or even bring a site offline when the PHP version is updated.

How We Can Help

As part of our WordPress servicing, we now include PHP upgrade assessments and updates. We’ve priced this according to the complexity of your site:

• ✅ Simple Update – £40
  If your website shows no significant errors in the error logs and is compatible with PHP 8.x, we will safely update the server and test your site as part of our regular £40 WordPress service.
• ⚠️ Complex Update
  If your site displays warnings or fatal errors on PHP 8.x, we’ll identify and resolve the compatibility issues first. This type of work typically takes 1–3 hours, depending on the number of issues and the complexity of the code.

This is not just about ticking boxes — updating PHP improves your site’s speed, security and future-proofing. In many cases, it also makes your site eligible for more modern plugins and features.

Don’t Leave It Too Late

Leaving your site on an unsupported PHP version is a ticking time bomb, especially as more hosting companies begin forcing PHP upgrades automatically. It’s better to be proactive, test your site properly, and carry out the upgrade in a controlled way than wait for something to break.

Get in Touch

If you’ve spotted the warning or simply want to ensure your site is secure and running at its best, contact us today to schedule your PHP upgrade.

Whether you’re an existing client or you’re managing a website that hasn’t had a proper health check in a while, we’re here to help.