PHP & WordPress Update – Upgrade to PHP 8.3, Fix Compatibility

Host forcing PHP 8.3? White screen after update? I upgrade PHP, fix deprecated functions, test every plugin and theme—with instant rollback if anything breaks.

Why Upgrade Now?

• PHP 7.4 reached end-of-life (security patches stopped)
• 30 % speed improvement with PHP 8.2+ JIT
• Lower memory usage, higher concurrent users
• New WordPress features require PHP 8.0+
• Host may disable older PHP without notice

Common Errors After PHP Update

• Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function each()
• Warning: Use of undefined constant REQUEST_URI
• Deprecated: Function create_function() is deprecated
• Allowed memory size exhausted
• Plugin "XYZ" has been deactivated due to an error
• WSOD on wp-admin after theme update

My Upgrade Process

1. Audit: scan plugin code for deprecated functions
2. Staging: clone site on PHP 8.x container
3. Patch: replace each(), create_function(), mysql_*
4. Test: front-end, checkout, wp-admin, cron
5. Deploy: schedule low-traffic window
6. Monitor: error log for 24 h

Plugin & Theme Compatibility

• WooCommerce 8+ fully supports PHP 8.3
• Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder OK on 8.2+
• Contact Form 7, Yoast, WPML already compatible
• Legacy themes may need mysqli_connect() patch
• Page builders: test on staging first

Tools I Use

• PHPCompatibilityWP + PHPCS for automatic scan
• WP-CLI to update core and plugins in bulk
• Query Monitor to spot warnings in real time
• Git for versioned rollback
• New Relic for performance comparison

Pre-Upgrade Checklist

• Current PHP version and WordPress version
• List of active plugins (with versions)
• Custom theme or child theme?
• Hosting panel access (cPanel, Plesk, custom)
• SSH / WP-CLI available?
• Critical business hours (avoid upgrades then)

Quick FAQ

Is PHP 8.3 safe for WordPress?

Yes. WordPress 6.4+ supports PHP 8.3. I test all plugins on staging first.

Will old plugins break?

I replace deprecated each(), create_function() and mysql_* calls. Most issues are fixed within 1 h.

Do you offer rollback?

Full snapshot before upgrade. Free rollback within 24 h if anything fails.

Need a Safe Upgrade?

Send me your current PHP version. I’ll scan for incompatibilities and quote a flat upgrade fee.