WordPress is written in PHP, the programming language that runs your site on the server. Newer PHP versions are faster and receive security fixes; old versions eventually stop getting them.
Check your PHP version
In your WordPress dashboard, open Tools → Site Health, then the Info tab and the Server section. The Status tab also warns you if your PHP version is out of date.
Changing it
Open your site under Websites in your GUDHOST account. Under Performance, PHP version shows the version your site runs: choose another one and press Switch. We check that your site still answers straight afterwards, and for 24 hours a Switch back button returns it to the previous version with one click.
Before you switch
Most modern plugins and themes work with current PHP versions, but old or abandoned ones may not. To keep the switch smooth:
- Update all your plugins and themes first (Dashboard → Updates).
- Check that each plugin and theme has been updated recently, and that its page on wordpress.org or its author's website lists support for the newer PHP version.
- Delete plugins and themes you no longer use.
After the switch, click through your important pages, forms and checkout. If anything looks broken, switch back from the same place (for 24 hours), and contact support if you need help. Your daily backups with timeline restore are there if you ever need them.