PHP version keeps changing automatically

[cPRex]

@FenTaylor - could you open a ticket with our Technical Support team so we can investigate that?

 

[DeShark]

We are seeing this happen to one website. It randomly changes from the set version of 7.4 to 5.6. When you look in WHM or cPanel, it shows 7.4. The thing I find interesting is if you go into MultiPHP INI Editor, it asks you to select a location.. the Home directory or the web root. If you select the web root, it shows the current version as 7.4. If you select the Home directory, it shows 5.6. Neither folder has a PHP.ini file. Not sure what that is all about but may be a lead as to what is causing this?

 

[cPRex]

@DeShark - do you have a .htaccess file in either of those directories? If so, I would expect that to have the standard PHP configuration line near the bottom:

# php -- BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit
# Set the “ea-php56” package as the default “PHP” programming language.
<IfModule mime_module>
  AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php56 .php .php5 .phtml
</IfModule>
# php -- END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit

 

[DeShark]

Yes,.. in the web root directory, When it switches to 5.6 the .htaccess file disappears. Here is the current one..

# php -- BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit
# Set the “ea-php74” package as the default “PHP” programming language.
<IfModule mime_module>
AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php74 .php .php7 .phtml
</IfModule>
# php -- END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit

 

[cPRex]

Alright, that's a good first step. Now, when it seemingly randomly changes the PHP version, does the .htaccess data also change?

 

[DeShark]

There is no .htaccess file when its running 5.6. It appears to get deleted. If I delete it, it runs 5.6.

 

[cPRex]

Thanks for that - it sounds like this would be best handled through a ticket so we can check the domain and server settings, as there really should not be much else controlling the version for an account.

If you are able to open a ticket, please post the number here so I can follow along and keep this thread updated.

 

[DeShark]

What settings are there to check for this type of situation? I am happy to look into it.

 

[cPRex]

It really depends - do you know what action causes it to change? Is this frequently detected in the morning, which could indicate an overnight update reset something? Or it is really completely random?

 

[DeShark]

Seems to be random.

 

[cPRex]

You've mentioned that WHM shows 7.4 no matter when you check - when the version is changed to 5.6, does the .htaccess also still show 7.4? *Something* must be indicating the change, or do you only see this in a PHP info page?

I guess I need to know where you're seeing the change take place so I can know where to start looking.

 

[DeShark]

I think the user is deleting the .htaccess file. When you do that, it reverts to 5.6? Why does it do that? The .htaccess file doesn't control the php version does it?

 

[cPRex]

The .htaccess access file is necessary if the account is set to anything other than "inherit" in WHM. That is how the PHP version is determined when a custom version is applied to a domain or subdomain.

You'll just want to instruct that user to not remove that file if that is indeed what is happening.

 

[DeShark]

Yeah I asked him. He says he's deleting everything when he reloads his app. SMH

 

[cPRex]

I guess that's a reasonable assumption from the customer though - "I need to replace all my files, let's wipe it and start over"

In this case, they just need to be aware that file is used for other things besides site content and redirects and then they should not experience this issue.

 

[DeShark]

They have been advised. Should we set our default to 7.4? I don't want to break anyone's site however.

 

[cPRex]

That's up to you and your clients. For security reasons I would stick with releases we haven't deprecated, but then the clients may not be happy if you force them to update ancient code. You can likely work with them to set up a time to try a new version and they can test the site then to see if there are problems.

 

[DeShark]

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

 

[cPRex]

You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help get things pointed in the right direction.