Website owners and developers using Bluehost have long praised the hosting provider for its ease of use, integration with WordPress, and affordable pricing. However, a significant issue arose in recent months when users began encountering fatal errors after switching their PHP versions via the Bluehost control panel. These errors frequently rendered websites inaccessible, leading to a scramble for solutions until the host introduced a compatibility check that finally helped stabilize the affected sites.
TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read)
Bluehost users experienced fatal errors and website crashes after switching to newer PHP versions through the control panel. These issues were caused by incompatible plugins or outdated themes that could not function under newer PHP environments. After widespread complaints, Bluehost introduced a PHP compatibility check tool during version switching. This change significantly reduced site disruptions and gave users more confidence in upgrading their PHP versions safely.
Understanding the PHP Version Upgrade Issue
PHP, the server-side scripting language powering WordPress and most CMS platforms, undergoes regular updates to maintain security and improve performance. Hosting providers like Bluehost allow site owners to toggle between PHP versions (e.g., PHP 7.4, 8.0, 8.1) based on compatibility needs or performance requirements.
However, starting in late 2023 and continuing into early 2024, Bluehost customers began reporting that changing the PHP version frequently caused “white screen of death” scenarios or displayed severe fatal errors such as:
Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined functionFatal error: Cannot redeclare function- Broken plugin functionality or missing site elements
These problems stemmed from site components—like plugins, custom scripts, or even themes—that had not been updated to support newer PHP versions. This resulted in incompatibility that rendered websites partially or fully unusable.
Why PHP Compatibility Matters
Every PHP update introduces deprecations and eliminates older functions. For example, plugins written for PHP 5.6 might rely on functions or syntax that are no longer available in PHP 8.1. Therefore, switching to a modern PHP version requires all elements of a website to be up-to-date or at least compatible with that specific version.
Unfortunately, Bluehost’s previous implementation of PHP switching did not include a compatibility check. This meant that users were unknowingly upgrading to a newer version without being warned of the risks—an oversight that proved disastrous for many small business and portfolio websites.
Case Reports and User Reactions
Numerous Bluehost customers voiced their frustrations on forums like Reddit and the official Bluehost community page. Users highlighted scenarios where simple maintenance tasks, such as increasing performance by upgrading to PHP 8.1, led to complete site failure.
One customer mentioned:
“All I did was change my PHP version to 8.0 to improve my site speed. The next thing I saw was a completely blank home page. It turned out my eCommerce plugin wasn’t compatible. I lost over a day trying to restore backups.”
Another noted:
“None of the Bluehost support articles warned me that some plugins might not work after upgrading PHP. I expected at least a heads-up or scan feature.”
How the New PHP Compatibility Check Works
In response, Bluehost implemented a new tool within the control panel that automatically checks plugin and theme compatibility before switching PHP versions. This compatibility check analyzes the current website setup and scans for components known to be incompatible with the chosen PHP version.
The process looks like this:
- User navigates to PHP configuration settings in cPanel or Bluehost dashboard.
- Selects a PHP version to upgrade to (e.g., PHP 8.1).
- A scan is initiated automatically to detect plugin, theme, or script incompatibilities.
- If issues are found, the system halts the upgrade and provides a detailed report listing problematic components and recommended actions.
- If all components are compatible, the upgrade proceeds safely.
This proactive step solved a major pain point for both novice users and seasoned developers. It also reduced the number of support tickets submitted for post-upgrade site failures.
Impact of the Compatibility Scan on Website Stability
Since its introduction, the PHP compatibility tool has been praised for its foresight and reliability. Users report a significant drop in fatal error occurrences when upgrading PHP. Bluehost also provided documentation and plugin update recommendations alongside the scan report to guide users in bringing their websites up to modern standards.
This change not only made upgrades safer but also encouraged users to maintain an updated, secure development environment. By seeing incompatible elements upfront, developers were nudged to replace legacy plugins with newer alternatives—improving overall site security and performance.
Recommendations for Safe PHP Upgrades on Bluehost
Whether you’re running a blog, a WooCommerce store, or a portfolio site, the following tips can help ensure smooth PHP upgrades in Bluehost:
- Back up your website before any major change, including PHP version upgrades.
- Check for plugin and theme updates manually if you’re unsure whether they’re PHP-compatible.
- Use the Bluehost PHP compatibility check and carefully read its suggestions.
- Deactivate custom-written scripts that may not be updated.
- Test on a staging version of your site before applying changes to live pages.
Conclusion
Bluehost’s misstep in enabling unrestricted PHP upgrades without compatible site scans led to real-world negative consequences for many users. However, the company’s swift action in implementing a PHP compatibility scan has drastically improved the safety of such upgrades. This scenario serves as a key lesson in the importance of pre-upgrade validation and proactive support features for modern web hosting platforms.
FAQ: Bluehost PHP Version Switching and Fatal Errors
- Why did switching my PHP version break my site on Bluehost?
- Switching PHP versions without checking compatibility can lead to fatal errors if plugins, themes, or scripts use outdated code that’s not supported by the newer PHP version.
- How can I check if my website is ready for a PHP upgrade?
- Use Bluehost’s built-in PHP compatibility check tool. It scans your website for components that may not work with the new version and provides a report.
- Is downgrading PHP a good solution if something breaks?
- Yes, temporarily downgrading the PHP version can restore functionality. However, it’s better to update or replace incompatible plugins and themes to allow use of newer versions.
- Can I test the PHP version change before applying it to my live site?
- Yes. Use a staging environment provided by Bluehost or plugins like WP Staging to test changes before going live.
- Does Bluehost notify me if a plugin is incompatible?
- Yes. As of early 2024, their PHP version tool includes an automated compatibility checker that warns you before you make the switch.