If your website is still running PHP 7.4, it is worth reviewing your setup and planning an upgrade. PHP 7.4 reached its official end of life on November 28, 2022, meaning the PHP project no longer provides regular security support for this branch
That does not mean you should panic or immediately rebuild your entire website. In many cases, businesses can move from PHP 7.4 to a supported PHP version through a controlled upgrade process.
The key is to understand what your website currently uses, check compatibility, create a reliable backup, and test the upgrade properly.
Why PHP 7.4 Security Matters
PHP is the server-side programming language used by WordPress and many other websites. It handles important parts of a website, including database communication, forms, authentication, and application logic.
When a PHP version reaches end of life, it no longer receives security fixes from the PHP project. PHP’s official documentation recommends upgrading unsupported branches because older releases may expose websites to vulnerabilities and bugs that have been fixed in newer versions.
For a business website, outdated server software can become a maintenance and security concern.
The solution is not simply to worry about every vulnerability. Instead, businesses should make sure their website is running on a supported and compatible PHP version.
1. Check Which PHP Version Your Website Uses
Before making any changes, find out which PHP version your website is currently running.
For WordPress websites, you can usually check this through:
- WordPress Site Health
- Your hosting control panel
- Server information
- Hosting support
- A trusted development environment
If your website is running PHP 7.4, do not assume that changing the PHP version immediately is the safest approach.
First check the website’s WordPress version, plugins, themes, custom code, and hosting environment.
This gives you a clearer picture of what may need attention before the upgrade.
2. Review WordPress, Plugins, and Themes
PHP upgrades can sometimes expose compatibility problems with older website components.
Before upgrading, review your:
- WordPress core
- Plugins
- Themes
- Custom PHP code
- Page builders
- APIs and integrations
- Ecommerce functionality
Update supported plugins and themes where appropriate and remove software that is no longer required.
If a plugin or theme has not been maintained for a long time, it may need to be replaced before upgrading PHP.
The goal is to make the website’s software environment as compatible and maintainable as possible before changing the server PHP version.
3. Create a Full Backup
A complete backup should be part of your PHP upgrade process.
Before changing the PHP version, make sure you have a recent backup of your:
- WordPress database
- Website files
- Media uploads
- Important configuration
- Custom code
Ideally, keep a copy that is separate from the live hosting environment.
A backup gives you a recovery option if an unexpected compatibility issue causes the website to behave differently after the upgrade.
Do not assume that a backup is useful simply because it exists. Your backup and restoration process should be reliable and tested.
4. Test the PHP Upgrade Before Going Live
For an important business website, testing should come before changing the production environment.
If your hosting provider supports staging, create a staging copy of the website and test the new PHP version there first.
Check important functionality such as:
- Homepage and main pages
- Contact forms
- Login and user areas
- WooCommerce checkout
- Payment integrations
- Search functionality
- Custom forms
- APIs
- Third-party integrations
Also check the PHP error logs for compatibility warnings or fatal errors.
Testing allows developers to identify problems before customers encounter them.
5. Upgrade to a Supported PHP Version
Once compatibility has been checked, upgrade from PHP 7.4 to a currently supported PHP branch that is appropriate for your website.
PHP currently lists versions 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5 as supported branches.
The best version for your website depends on factors such as:
- WordPress compatibility
- Plugin and theme compatibility
- Custom application code
- Hosting support
- Third-party integrations
Avoid choosing a PHP version simply because it is the newest one available. The right upgrade is the one that provides current security support while remaining compatible with your website.
6. Check the Website After the Upgrade
After changing PHP, do not consider the task finished immediately.
Perform a complete website check.
Visit important pages and test the features your customers use.
Look for:
- PHP errors
- Broken layouts
- Plugin errors
- Missing content
- Form problems
- Checkout issues
- Slow pages
- API errors
- Unexpected redirects
For business websites, even a small compatibility issue can affect lead generation or sales.
A post-upgrade review helps confirm that the website is both functional and ready for normal visitors.
7. What If Your Website Cannot Upgrade Yet?
Some older websites cannot move directly from PHP 7.4 to a newer version because they depend on outdated plugins, themes, or custom code.
If that happens, do not simply continue ignoring the issue.
Identify what is preventing the upgrade and address those compatibility problems one by one.
This may involve:
- Updating a plugin
- Replacing an unsupported plugin
- Updating a theme
- Refactoring custom PHP code
- Updating an integration
- Moving the website to a staging environment
- Working with the hosting provider
The long-term goal should still be moving away from PHP 7.4 and onto a supported version.
How Dev Mechanix Can Help
For business owners, PHP upgrades can feel technical and risky because a website may depend on many different components.
Dev Mechanix helps businesses with WordPress development, maintenance, performance optimization, plugin development, migrations, and custom solutions.
Our team can review the current website environment, identify potential compatibility issues, test the upgrade, and help move the website toward a more maintainable setup.
The objective is not simply to change a PHP version. It is to make sure the website continues to work properly while improving its long-term security and maintainability.
If your business website is still running PHP 7.4, a planned upgrade can help you avoid compatibility and security problems in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PHP 7.4 still supported?
No. PHP 7.4 reached official end of life on November 28, 2022. PHP’s official documentation lists 7.4.33 as the final release of the branch.
Is PHP 7.4 a security risk?
Running an unsupported PHP version can increase security risk because the PHP project no longer provides regular security fixes for that branch. PHP recommends upgrading unsupported versions to a supported release.
Should I upgrade PHP 7.4 immediately?
If your website is still using PHP 7.4, you should plan an upgrade rather than continuing to rely on an unsupported version. Before upgrading a business website, check compatibility and create a reliable backup.
Can upgrading PHP break my WordPress website?
It can if the website contains outdated plugins, themes, or custom code that is not compatible with the newer PHP version. Testing on staging before upgrading the live website can help identify these problems.
What PHP version should I upgrade to?
The appropriate version depends on your WordPress setup, plugins, themes, custom code, hosting environment, and integrations. PHP currently lists 8.2 through 8.5 as supported branches, although each has a different support timeline.
Can I keep PHP 7.4 if my website is working fine?
A website working normally does not mean its software is receiving security support. PHP 7.4 is officially unsupported, so businesses should plan to move to a supported version.
Do I need a developer to upgrade PHP?
Not always, but professional help can be valuable for business websites using custom code, WooCommerce, complex plugins, or third-party integrations. A developer can test compatibility and troubleshoot problems before and after the upgrade.
What should I do before upgrading PHP?
Create a full backup, review WordPress and its plugins/themes, check custom code, test the new PHP version on staging if possible, and verify important website functionality after the upgrade.
Final Thoughts
If your website is still running PHP 7.4, there is no need to panic—but it is something you should address.
PHP 7.4 is no longer supported by the PHP project, so upgrading to a supported version is an important part of maintaining a secure and reliable website.
A careful process makes the upgrade much safer: check your current environment, review compatibility, back up your website, test the new PHP version, upgrade, and monitor the website afterward.
For businesses that rely on WordPress for leads, sales, or customer communication, keeping the technical foundation updated can help protect website performance, reliability, and long-term growth.
If you need help reviewing your PHP version or safely upgrading an older WordPress website, Dev Mechanix can help you plan and manage the process.
