How To Configure the PHP Environment with PHP ini

The version of PHP helps keep your site secure, running efficiently, and compatible with any plugins. This article explains how to generate a new php.ini file if you are into changing the PHP version or made an error with your current php.ini file. Upgrading your PHP will automatically create the new php.ini file.

• Update the PHP Version or Generate a New php.ini File
• Add PHP handlers
• CGI Type
  • Standard PHP (Default)
  • PHP Single php.ini
  • PHP FastCGI

Update the PHP Version or Generate a New php.ini File

For more information on updating content for PHP compatibility, read our guide on What to do if your Site Does not Work with Newer Versions of PHP. To learn more about what is changing with PHP 8.3, please see PHP.net's release notes. 

1. Log in to your Account Manager.
2. Click Hosting on the left pane.

   

3. Under Quick Links, click on cPanel.

   

4. Within cpanel, look for the Software category and click the MultiPHP Manager icon.

   

5. Choose the domain you need to manage.

   

6. Select the PHP version from the PHP Version drop-down menu in the upper right.

   

7. Click the Apply button to save the changes.

   

Add PHP handlers

You can customize the version of PHP that runs PHP files by directly editing the .htaccess file. Once the .htaccess file has been created or located:

1. Navigate to the File Manager.
2. Find the .htaccess file in the list of files, right-click on it, and choose the Edit option.

   

3. At the top of the file, add the PHP handler corresponding to the version you desire to use. If there's an existing handler in the file, remove it or substitute it with your preferred handler.

   Below are the available PHP handlers:

   • PHP 7.4

      
     php – BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     Set the “ea-php74” package as the default “PHP” programming language. 
     <IfModule mime_module> 
     AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php74___lsphp .php .php7 .phtml
     </IfModule> 
     php – END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     

   • PHP 8.0

      
     php – BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     Set the “ea-php80” package as the default “PHP” programming language. 
     <IfModule mime_module> 
     AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php80___lsphp .php .php8 .phtml 
     </IfModule> 
     php – END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     

   • PHP 8.1

     php – BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     Set the “ea-php81” package as the default “PHP” programming language. 
     <IfModule mime_module> 
     AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php81___lsphp .php .php8 .phtml
     </IfModule> 
     php – END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     

   • PHP 8.2

     php – BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     Set the “ea-php82” package as the default “PHP” programming language. 
     <IfModule mime_module> 
     AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php82___lsphp .php .php8 .phtml 
     </IfModule> 
     php – END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     

   • PHP 8.3

     php – BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     Set the “ea-php83” package as the default “PHP” programming language. 
     <IfModule mime_module> 
     AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php83___lsphp .php .php8 .phtml 
     </IfModule> 
     php – END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit 
     

4. Once you have added one of those codes, click Save. The account will then use the PHP version you selected.

CGI Type

Below are options to consider when selecting the PHP type.

Standard PHP (Default)

By default, all accounts use standard PHP. A PHP script will use the server's master php.ini configuration file with standard PHP selected if the script's directory does not contain a php.ini file. Each hosting account initially has a copy of the php.ini file in the public_html directory. You may make any changes to this file, and the modification will take precedence over the master file. With standard PHP selected in the cPanel, you will need to copy the modified php.ini file into all subdirectories containing PHP files to use the custom PHP settings.

PHP Single php.ini

To avoid copying the same php.ini file to each and every directory containing PHP files, you may select PHP Single php.ini. This option changes the PHP handler defined in ~/public_html/.htaccess to indicate that all subfolders use the same php.ini found in public_html/.

PHP FastCGI

Using the PHP FastCGI option allows all your PHP applications to run through mod_fcgid instead of mod_suphp. FastCGI uses only one php.ini file located in the public_html directory.