PHP Upgrade Guide - Revision history

SarahK at 18:01, 23 November 2022

2022-11-23T18:01:50Z

SarahK at 17:53, 23 November 2022

2022-11-23T17:53:24Z

SarahK at 15:56, 7 September 2022

2022-09-07T15:56:17Z

SarahK: /* Before you upgrade */

2022-08-18T14:11:43Z

‎Before you upgrade

SarahK at 19:34, 27 April 2022

2022-04-27T19:34:35Z

SarahK: Created page with "Use this guide to upgrade the PHP version that you use to run WHMCS. WHMCS 8.0 and higher requires PHP 7.2 or later, so upgrading to PHP 7.2 or later is required in order to u..."

2020-09-29T17:33:10Z

Created page with "Use this guide to upgrade the PHP version that you use to run WHMCS. WHMCS 8.0 and higher requires PHP 7.2 or later, so upgrading to PHP 7.2 or later is required in order to u..."

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Use this guide to upgrade the PHP version that you use to run WHMCS. WHMCS 8.0 and higher requires PHP 7.2 or later, so upgrading to PHP 7.2 or later is required in order to upgrade to WHMCS 8.0. You won't see WHMCS 8.0 in the Automatic Updater if you do not run PHP 7.2 or PHP 7.3.

While WHMCS 7.10 and earlier don't support it, we recommend upgrading to PHP 7.4 after you successfully upgrade to WHMCS 8.0. For more about the upgrade process, see [[Updating]].

* For steps to migrate to previous PHP versions, see the [https://docs.whmcs.com/PHP_7_Migration_Guide PHP 7 Migration Guide].
* For a full index of PHP compatibility by WHMCS version, see the PHP Compatibility Guide.

==Before you upgrade==

Before you upgrade PHP, we recommend that you:

* If you upgraded PHP, make sure that IonCube Loader 10.1 is still properly installed.
* Run the '''PHP Version Compatibility Utility''' at '''Utilities > System''' to locate any ionCube-encoded files that won't work with a higher version.
* Ensure the compatibility of any custom or third-party code by checking the relevant listings in the WHMCS Marketplace.

==Upgrade using cPanel's MultiPHP==

If you use cPanel and EasyApache 4 to host your WHMCS installation, you can use [https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP Manager] and [https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-ini-editor-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP INI Editor] to change your PHP version.

<div class="docs-alert-warning">
<span class="title">Other Control Panels</span><br />
For other control panels or systems, consult the vendors' documentation.
</div>

To upgrade PHP on cPanel:

# Log in to your cPanel account.
# Go to '''Software >> MultiPHP Manager'''.
# Check the box for the domain for your WHMCS installation.
# Select PHP 7.2 or 7.3 from '''PHP Version''' in the top-right corner of the page.
#* If the desired version isn't available and you have WHM access, [https://docs.cpanel.net/ea4/php/how-to-locate-and-install-a-php-version-or-extension/ use EasyApache 4 to install a higher version of PHP].
#* If the desired version isn't available and you do not have WHM access, contact your system administrator.
# Click '''Apply'''.
# Go to '''Software >> MultiPHP INI Editor'''.
# Click '''Editor'''.
# Select your domain from '''Select a location'''. A <tt>php.ini</tt> file (or a blank file if you don't have a <tt>php.ini</tt> file yet) will appear.
# Add these lines to the file: <div class="source-cli">php_admin_flag[allow_url_fopen] = 1<br/>php_admin_flag[memory_limit] = 128M</div>
# Click '''Save'''.
# Log in to your WHMCS installation to ensure that there aren't any errors.

You're now ready to upgrade to WHMCS 8.0.

==Errors==

After you upgrade, the following errors could indicate an incompatibility with the new PHP version:

* A 500 internal server error
* A blank page
* An oops error page

See our [https://docs.whmcs.com/PHP_7_Migration_Troubleshooting_Guide PHP Troubleshooting Guide] for steps to debug and resolve these issues. For an immediate solution, reverting to the previously-installed PHP version should allow you to keep using WHMCS.

@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 Then, proceed to upgrade the PHP version your site is running.
-* If you run cPanel & WHM and EasyApache 4, you can change your website's PHP version using '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP Manager]''' in your cPanel control panel. For steps, see [[#Upgrade_Using_cPanel_MultiPHP|Upgrade Using cPanel MultiPHP]] below.
+If you use cPanel & WHM and EasyApache 4 to host your WHMCS installation, you can use '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP Manager]''' and '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-ini-editor-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP INI Editor]''' to change your PHP version.
 * For other control panels or systems, consult the vendor's documentation.
 === Make Additional Configuration Updates ===
-After upgrading PHP, you may need to update your configuration to reflect the change. These changes depend on the configuration you choose for your WHMCS installation and any customizations that you use. For example, some WHMCS installations may require updates to the cron configuration and editing the cron's <tt>php.ini</tt> file.
+After upgrading PHP, you may need to update your configuration to reflect the change. These changes depend on the configuration you choose for your WHMCS installation and any customizations that you use.
-−
-== Upgrade Using cPanel MultiPHP ==
+For example, some WHMCS installations may require updates to the cron configuration and editing the cron's <tt>php.ini</tt> file.
 ==Errors==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-In order to comply with each version's requirements, you must sometimes upgrade the PHP version on your WHMCS installation's server.
+The version of PHP that the server hosting your WHMCS installation runs is important in order to run WHMCS successfully. In order to comply with each version's requirements, you must sometimes upgrade the PHP version on your WHMCS installation's server.
 * WHMCS 8.0 and higher requires PHP 7.2 or later. You won't see WHMCS 8.0 in the [[Automatic Updater]] if you do not run PHP 7.2 or PHP 7.3.
 * We recommend upgrading to PHP 7.4 after you successfully upgrade to WHMCS 8.0. WHMCS 8.0 introduced PHP 7.4 support. For more information, see [[Updating]].
 * For more information about PHP support in WHMCS versions, see [[PHP Version Compatibility]].
-== Before you upgrade ==
+* You have the necessary ionCube Loader version for your target PHP version.
-Before you upgrade PHP, we recommend that you:
+Then, proceed to upgrade the PHP version your site is running.
-* Ensure that you have installed the necessary ionCube Loader® version.
+* If you run cPanel & WHM and EasyApache 4, you can change your website's PHP version using '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP Manager]''' in your cPanel control panel. For steps, see [[#Upgrade_Using_cPanel_MultiPHP|Upgrade Using cPanel MultiPHP]] below.
-* Go to '''Utilities > System > [[PHP Version Compatibility]]''' to locate any ionCube-encoded files that won't work with a higher version.
+* For other control panels or systems, consult the vendor's documentation.
-* Ensure the compatibility of any custom or third-party code by checking the relevant listings in the WHMCS Marketplace.
-== Upgrade using cPanel's MultiPHP ==
+== Upgrade Using cPanel MultiPHP ==
 If you use cPanel & WHM and EasyApache 4 to host your WHMCS installation, you can use '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP Manager]''' and '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-ini-editor-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP INI Editor]''' to change your PHP version.
@@ Line 39: / Line 109: @@
 ==Errors==
-After you upgrade, the following errors could indicate an incompatibility with the new PHP version:
+If you experience any of the following error conditions when visiting a URL in WHMCS, there may be compatibility issues with your new PHP version:
 * A 500 internal server error
@@ Line 45: / Line 115: @@
 * An oops error page
-See our [PHP Troubleshooting Guide] for steps to debug and resolve these issues. For an immediate solution, reverting to the previously-installed PHP version should allow you to keep using WHMCS.
+For help, see [[PHP Upgrade Troubleshooting Guide]]. For an immediate solution, reverting to the previous PHP version should allow you to regain access to the WHMCS system.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Before you upgrade PHP, we recommend that you:
-* Make sure that IonCube Loader 10.1 is properly installed.
+* Ensure that your system includes a compatible version of ionCube Loader®.
 * Run the utility at '''Utilities > System > [[PHP Version Compatibility]]''' to locate any ionCube-encoded files that won't work with a higher version.
 * Ensure the compatibility of any custom or third-party code by checking the relevant listings in the WHMCS Marketplace.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 In order to comply with each version's requirements, you must sometimes upgrade the PHP version on your WHMCS installation's server.
-−
 * WHMCS 8.0 and higher requires PHP 7.2 or later. You won't see WHMCS 8.0 in the [[Automatic Updater]] if you do not run PHP 7.2 or PHP 7.3.
-* While WHMCS 7.10 and earlier don't support it, we recommend upgrading to PHP 7.4 after you successfully upgrade to WHMCS 8.0. For more information, see [[Updating]].
+* We recommend upgrading to PHP 7.4 after you successfully upgrade to WHMCS 8.0. WHMCS 8.0 introduced PHP 7.4 support. For more information, see [[Updating]].
-* For steps to migrate to previous PHP versions, see [[PHP 7 Migration Guide]].
+* For more information about PHP support in WHMCS versions, see [[PHP Version Compatibility]].
-* For a full index of PHP compatibility by WHMCS version, see the [[PHP Version Compatibility]].
 == Before you upgrade ==
-−
 Before you upgrade PHP, we recommend that you:
-−
-* Ensure that your system includes a compatible version of ionCube Loader®.
+* Ensure that you have installed the necessary ionCube Loader® version.
-* Run the utility at '''Utilities > System > [[PHP Version Compatibility]]''' to locate any ionCube-encoded files that won't work with a higher version.
+* Go to '''Utilities > System > [[PHP Version Compatibility]]''' to locate any ionCube-encoded files that won't work with a higher version.
 * Ensure the compatibility of any custom or third-party code by checking the relevant listings in the WHMCS Marketplace.
-−
 == Upgrade using cPanel's MultiPHP ==
-−
 If you use cPanel & WHM and EasyApache 4 to host your WHMCS installation, you can use '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP Manager]''' and '''[https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-ini-editor-for-cpanel/ MultiPHP INI Editor]''' to change your PHP version.
-−
 <div class="docs-alert-warning">
 For other control panels or systems, consult the vendors' documentation.
 </div>
-−
-To upgrade PHP on cPanel:
+To upgrade PHP in cPanel:
-−
 # Log in to your cPanel account.
 # Go to '''Software >> MultiPHP Manager'''.
-# Check the box for the domain for your WHMCS installation.
+# Select the domain for your WHMCS installation.
-# Select PHP 7.2 or 7.3 from '''PHP Version''' in the top-right corner of the page.
+# Select the desired PHP version from '''PHP Version''' in the top-right corner of the page.
 #* If the desired version isn't available and you have WHM access, [https://docs.cpanel.net/ea4/php/how-to-locate-and-install-a-php-version-or-extension/ use EasyApache 4 to install a higher version of PHP].
-#* If the desired version isn't available and you do not have WHM access, contact your system administrator.
+#* If the desired version isn't available and you do not have WHM access, contact your hosting provider or system administrator.
 # Click '''Apply'''.
 # Go to '''Software >> MultiPHP INI Editor'''.
 # Click '''Editor'''.
 # Select your domain from '''Select a location'''. A <tt>php.ini</tt> file (or a blank file if you don't have a <tt>php.ini</tt> file yet) will appear.
@@ Line 37: / Line 36: @@
 # Click '''Save'''.
 # Log in to your WHMCS installation to ensure that there aren't any errors.
-−
 ==Errors==
-−
 After you upgrade, the following errors could indicate an incompatibility with the new PHP version:
-−
 * A 500 internal server error
 * A blank page
 * An oops error page
-−
 See our [PHP Troubleshooting Guide] for steps to debug and resolve these issues. For an immediate solution, reverting to the previously-installed PHP version should allow you to keep using WHMCS.