Get Version 6.7.2

  • Hi, I am running our website PHP version 5.6.40, it says we need to Get Version 6.7.2 , our website developer has told us if we update the website it will break? . certain elements of the website no longer work, twitter feed , scrolling ticker, seo etc. Is there any advise on this? Thanks

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

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  • PHP 5.6 is extremely outdated. There have been no security updates or corrections for this version since 2019. A change to a current PHP version (such as 8.1 or newer) is strongly recommended.

    WordPress in the current version 6.7.x is only compatible with PHP 7.2 or newer. This means that you cannot perform a direct update (neither of PHP nor of WordPress). Your developer would have to do this step by step. My recommendation would be to update PHP to 7.2 first, then update WordPress and all plugins and the theme. Then set PHP to 8.1.

    The sticking point here are the plugins you use and the theme. If these have not kept up with the times, then you will probably have to do without some of them. In the worst case, you will also need a completely new theme. Your developer will certainly have to provide you with a solution here. The alternative to updating would be a completely new website.

    Updating from PHP 5.6.40 to 6.7.2 (assuming you mean PHP 7.4 or 8.x, as PHP 6.7.2 doesn’t exist) can cause compatibility issues if your website’s theme or plugins rely on deprecated functions. The first step is to check if your theme and plugins are compatible with newer PHP versions.

    Steps to proceed safely:

    1. Backup Your Website – Always take a full backup before making any changes.
    2. Check Compatibility – Use a plugin like “PHP Compatibility Checker” to scan your theme and plugins.
    3. Upgrade Step-by-Step – Instead of jumping directly to the latest PHP version, try upgrading incrementally (e.g., PHP 5.6 → 7.0 → 7.4 → 8.x).
    4. Update Themes & Plugins – Ensure all plugins and themes are updated to their latest versions.
    5. Test on a Staging Site – Before updating live, test the upgrade on a staging environment.

    If your developer insists that updating will break the site, they might need to refactor the code to replace outdated functions. In cases like this, it’s crucial to have an optimized and well-maintained website. You might find this guide helpful for handling PHP updates and ensuring your site remains functional.

    • This reply was modified 2 days, 2 hours ago by anas19.
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