Title: How to update PHP & WordPress version
Last modified: October 30, 2020

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# How to update PHP & WordPress version

 *  [fionamac247](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fionamac247/)
 * (@fionamac247)
 * [5 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-update-php-wordpress-version/)
 * Hi,
 * I have unfortunately been running an outdated version of php (have only just 
   realised) and am trying to update this but keep crashing my site.
 * I am currently on php version 5.4.45 and my site is hosted with HostGator. Through
   HostGator cpanel I have the option to update to php versions 7.0 or newer from
   the php manager, but when I do this I get the white screen of death and can’t
   then access my wp-admin to update the WordPress to a newer version than the one
   I have currently.
 * I can’t update the WordPress version first as a newer version isn’t compatible
   with php I have.
 * Feeling a bit stuck as I can’t put a newer version of WordPress on without updating
   my php but if I update my php version, this crashes the site and I can’t access
   my dashboard to then update the WordPress version to one that is compatible.
 * I have this message on my dashboard:
    An updated version of WordPress is available.
 * You cannot update because WordPress 5.5.2 requires PHP version 5.6.20 or higher.
   You are running version 5.4.45.
 * I am thinking I need to update my php and then perhaps do a manual WordPress 
   version update through FTP on my HostGator site. Is this the best option or am
   I missing something that’s a bit more straightforward.
 * Thank you for your help

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  Moderator [Steven Stern (sterndata)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sterndata/)
 * (@sterndata)
 * Volunteer Forum Moderator
 * [5 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-update-php-wordpress-version/#post-13602111)
 * First, backup everything, just to be safe.
 * Then, update PHP to 7.4. As you won’t be able then, to login into WP, perform
   a manual update. [https://wordpress.org/support/article/updating-wordpress/#manual-update](https://wordpress.org/support/article/updating-wordpress/#manual-update)
 *  [lauralsweet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lauralsweet/)
 * (@lauralsweet)
 * [5 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-update-php-wordpress-version/#post-13603430)
 * Just an additional note: Unless you use the Jetpack plugin. That had a conflict
   when I updated to php 7.4 and had to use php 7.2 instead.
 *  Thread Starter [fionamac247](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fionamac247/)
 * (@fionamac247)
 * [5 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-update-php-wordpress-version/#post-13604820)
 * Hi Steven,
 * Thanks for your reply. I have been through and updated the php to 7.4 and run
   a manual upgrade of the WordPress version to the latest.
 * Now I am getting the below warning message when coming to my site and unable 
   to access my dashboard.
 * Warning: Use of undefined constant WP_CONTENT_DIR – assumed ‘WP_CONTENT_DIR’ (
   this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home1/fmac08/public_html/
   www.FionaMacKayPhotography.com/wp-includes/load.php on line 115
    Your PHP installation
   appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress.
 * Any advice greatly appreciated.
 * Many Thanks
    Fiona
 *  Moderator [Steven Stern (sterndata)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sterndata/)
 * (@sterndata)
 * Volunteer Forum Moderator
 * [5 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-update-php-wordpress-version/#post-13605289)
 * >> Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required
   by WordPress. <<
 * Make sure your host has installed the “mysqli” or “mysql-nd” extension.
 * Do you have anything like “WP_CONTENT_DIR” in your wp-config.php file?

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

The topic ‘How to update PHP & WordPress version’ is closed to new replies.

## Tags

 * [Updating PHP](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/updating-php/)

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 4 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [Steven Stern (sterndata)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sterndata/)
 * Last activity: [5 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-update-php-wordpress-version/#post-13605289)
 * Status: not resolved

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