Title: PHP update creates critical error message
Last modified: July 2, 2026

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# PHP update creates critical error message

 *  [danielteadt](https://wordpress.org/support/users/danielteadt/)
 * (@danielteadt)
 * [4 days, 4 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-update-creates-critical-error-message/)
 * I updated to PHP 8.4 and my site is unaccessible now. Do I need to purchase PHP
   extended support from my hosting company to reinstall the old PHP?
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Fphp-update-creates-critical-error-message%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  [Ayman Al-Junaid](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aymanaljunaid/)
 * (@aymanaljunaid)
 * [4 days, 4 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-update-creates-critical-error-message/#post-18954444)
 * Hi [@danielteadt](https://wordpress.org/support/users/danielteadt/),
 * No, you shouldn’t need to purchase PHP Extended Support just to switch back to
   an older PHP version. Most hosting providers let you change the PHP version from
   your hosting control panel or cPanel.
 * A critical error after upgrading to PHP 8.4 usually means that a plugin, or theme
   isn’t compatible yet. Try switching back to PHP 8.3 then update your plugins,
   theme, and WordPress to their latest versions before trying PHP 8.4 again.
 * If you can share the exact error message or the debug log, we can help identify
   the cause.
 *  [younuskhan](https://wordpress.org/support/users/younuskhan/)
 * (@younuskhan)
 * [2 days, 12 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-update-creates-critical-error-message/#post-18955766)
 * Hi [@danielteadt](https://wordpress.org/support/users/danielteadt/)
 * No, PHP extended support is not required to revert your PHP version. The issue
   is most likely due to compatibility problems with PHP 8.4, as some themes or 
   plugins may not yet support it.
 * You can simply switch back to a stable version like PHP 8.2 or 8.3 from your 
   hosting control panel to restore the site. Once the site is accessible again,
   update WordPress core, themes, and plugins before considering another upgrade
   to PHP 8.4.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

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## Tags

 * [critical error](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/critical-error/)
 * [php](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/php/)

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 3 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [younuskhan](https://wordpress.org/support/users/younuskhan/)
 * Last activity: [2 days, 12 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/php-update-creates-critical-error-message/#post-18955766)
 * Status: not resolved

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