But here’s the frustrating part—sometimes when you try to update PHP, your site crashes, and you’re left scrambling to figure out which plugin or theme caused the problem.

Cache and performance plugins may need a visit Be Prepared 1. Update PHP Version PHP is the scripting language that powers WordPress and all the themes and plugins associated with WordPress.

Image: Felix Arntz, WordPress.org The WordPress open-source content management system (CMS) will show warnings in its backend admin panel if the site runs on top of an outdated PHP version.