requires at least PHP 📝 WordPress

WordPress: Your server is running PHP version 7.2 but WordPress 6.x requires at least 7.4 / This plugin requires a newer version of PHP

WordPress core, a plugin or a theme needs a newer PHP than the server runs.

Seen on: WordPress

Meaning

Hosts often default to old PHP. Switching PHP versions in the hosting panel (or installing a newer php-fpm) fixes it — test plugins for compatibility first.

Common causes

  • Old PHP version on the hosting account
  • CLI PHP newer than web PHP (or vice versa)
  • Plugin raised its minimum PHP

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Switch PHP version in the hosting panel (MultiPHP / PHP Selector)
  2. Update PHP-FPM and point the vhost to it
  3. Check compatibility with a staging site

Detailed fix by platform

Ubuntu

  1. php
    sudo apt install php8.3-fpm php8.3-{mysql,curl,gd,mbstring,xml,zip,intl}
sudo a2enconf php8.3-fpm && sudo systemctl reload apache2

How to diagnose

  1. Version — Site Health → Info → Server
  2. Requirement — Plugin readme “Requires PHP”

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

🧠 Still stuck? Analyze your error

Paste the full message, response headers or stack trace — we'll detect the platform and point to the most likely cause.