# Change the PHP version and PHP limits on web hosting

> Choose the PHP version per domain in cPanel or Plesk, enable extensions and raise memory\_limit, upload\_max\_filesize and post\_max\_size within your plan's limits.

Difficulty: Beginner

Each website on your hosting account can use its own **PHP version** and settings. This guide shows how to change the version, turn on extensions and adjust the most common limits, in **cPanel** (including the CloudLinux **Select PHP Version** tool some servers use) and **Plesk**.

## Before you start

- Check which PHP versions your application supports (its system requirements page).
- Take a backup or make sure you can switch back: [back up and restore your hosting account](/guides/hosting-backup-restore).

## Step 1: Choose the PHP version

**cPanel (MultiPHP Manager)**

1. Open **MultiPHP Manager**.
2. Tick the checkbox of the domain.
3. Choose the version in the **PHP Version** menu and select **Apply**.

Domains set to **inherit** use the server's default version.
**cPanel (Select PHP Version)**

On servers with CloudLinux, open **Select PHP Version**, choose the version from the menu and select **Set as current**. The same page lists the PHP extensions; tick the ones your application needs.
**Plesk**

1. Open **Websites & Domains** and the domain's **PHP** settings (**PHP Settings**).
2. Choose the PHP version from the list offered for your subscription.
3. Select **OK** or **Apply**.

**Verify:** your site loads normally. If it shows errors right after the change, the application does not support that version: switch back.

## Step 2: Adjust the common PHP limits

These PHP directives cause most upload and memory errors:

| Directive | What it limits |
|---|---|
| `memory_limit` | The memory one script may use |
| `upload_max_filesize` | The size of one uploaded file |
| `post_max_size` | The size of a whole form submission; must be larger than `upload_max_filesize` |
| `max_execution_time` | How long a script may run, in seconds |

**cPanel**

Open **MultiPHP INI Editor**, select the domain (or **Home Directory** for all sites), change the values in the basic editor and select **Apply**. The directives offered depend on the PHP version. On CloudLinux servers, the **Select PHP Version** page can also offer these options.
**Plesk**

In the domain's **PHP Settings**, change the values in the performance and security settings and select **OK** or **Apply**. Your subscription may allow only some of these settings.

Keep values sensible: very high limits hide problems and still stop at your plan's account limits.

## Step 3: Check the result

Create a file `info.php` in the domain's folder with this content, open `https://example.com/info.php`, check the version and the values, then **delete the file**:

```php
<?php phpinfo();
```

## Troubleshooting

**The site shows a 500 error after changing the version.** An extension the application needs is missing, or the code does not support the new version. Enable the extension or switch back; see [hosting 500 and 403 errors](/guides/hosting-500-403-errors).

**WordPress says the uploaded file exceeds the maximum upload size.** Raise `upload_max_filesize` and `post_max_size` as in Step 2.

**`Allowed memory size of … bytes exhausted`.** A script hit `memory_limit`. Raise it within your plan, or find the plugin or script that uses so much memory.

**My change in `.htaccess` or `php.ini` has no effect.** On many servers PHP settings are managed by the panel. Use the panel tools above.

## Next steps

- Fix site errors: [hosting 500 and 403 errors](/guides/hosting-500-403-errors).
- WordPress-specific problems: [fix WordPress errors](/guides/fix-wordpress-errors).

## Frequently asked questions

### Which PHP version should I use?

The newest version your application supports. PHP lists on php.net which versions still receive security fixes; older versions are a security risk.

### Can I use different PHP versions for different sites?

Yes. Both cPanel and Plesk set the version per domain.

### Why can't I set memory\_limit higher?

Your plan sets limits for each account. Values above them have no effect or are refused. If your application needs more, move to a larger plan or to a VPS.

### How do I check which PHP version a site uses?

Put a file with phpinfo() in the site's folder, open it in the browser, then delete it right away, because it shows details about your setup.

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Source: <https://hyperdc.com/guides/products/hosting-php-version-settings>\
Updated: 2026-10-15