PHP Update Recommended warnings (but only for some sites)
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I operate about 50 WordPress sites (combination of mine and customers), but I’ve noticed today when going to run updates, that only some of them are now showing a prominent panel on the Dashboard saying:
Your site is running on an outdated version of PHP (7.4.33), which does not receive security updates. It should be updated.
What is PHP and how does it affect my site?
PHP is one of the programming languages used to build WordPress. Newer versions of PHP receive regular security updates and may increase your site’s performance. The minimum recommended version of PHP is 8.3.
Does anyone know why this would only be showing up for some sites and not all of them?
And considering that 7.4 is still a fully supported stable version of PHP for WordPress, why is this being displayed at all?
I’m confused as to why they seem to be claiming that 7.4 isn’t supported anymore – when it clearly is (and all the way back to 7.2).
I have no intention of moving away from PHP7 (unless I absolutely have to). I just wish they weren’t forcing PHP8 onto people so much – it’s still (in my opinion) not compatible with WordPress.
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Your site is running on an outdated version of PHP (7.4.33), which does not receive security updates. It should be updated.
This is referring to support for the PHP engine itself by its developers. Even PHP 8.4 (edit: meant 8.0) has reached EOL (end-of-life) and is no longer supported. See: https://www.php.net/supported-versions
WordPress support for any PHP version just means WordPress works with the particular version of PHP. But what good is that to you if a vulnerability is discovered in an older PHP version, which is unsupported by its developers, and your WordPress site gets compromised as a result?
Only recently though has PHP 7.4 NOT been the most recent version of PHP that’s 100% stable and compatible with WordPress. That’s the reason why I’ve stayed away from PHP8. I’ve tested it several times, in the past, and always had issues with the core WordPress.
Given that this was updated yesterday (that 8.3 is now seen as completely stable), maybe it’s time to start planning my base upgrade for all sites.
But I’m still cautious. TO me, 7.4.33 is the most stable PHP version and still completely fine to be running… although ChatGPT did offer a fairly convincing argument to not wait too long to upgrade.
Staying on PHP 7.4.33 may feel stable now, but it’s like living in a house with a leaking gas pipe — it looks fine until it’s not.
For maximum long-term security and plugin compatibility, start planning your upgrade to PHP 8.1+. You don’t have to rush it this week — but don’t wait until you’re forced by a host or hit by a vulnerability.
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