WooCommerce will need PHP 8.1 or newer from version 11.6, planned for February 2027
The WooCommerce PHP version requirement is going up: WooCommerce 11.6, planned for February 2027, will need PHP 8.1 or newer. Stores on PHP 7.4 or 8.0 can keep updating up to version 11.5, and WooCommerce 11.3 now shows a warning in your admin if your store is affected.
Key facts
- Platform
- WooCommerce
- Do I need to act?
- Yes
- Deadline
- None
- Who it’s for
- founders, developers
- Announced
- 29 September 2026
What they said
Read the original ↗“WooCommerce 11.6, planned for February 2027, will require PHP 8.1 or newer.”
Why it matters
PHP is the software your WooCommerce store runs on, and your hosting company controls which version you use. If your store is still on PHP 7.4 or 8.0, you won't be offered WooCommerce 11.6 or later until you upgrade, so you'd miss new features and, over time, fixes.
WooCommerce pushed the change back so stores can upgrade after the Christmas peak, and it recommends PHP 8.3 or newer. Upgrading PHP can break older plugins or custom code, so test it on a copy of your store first.
What to do
- 1Check your PHP versionYou or your developer
In WordPress, go to WooCommerce > Status and look for PHP version under Server environment.
- 2Plan the upgrade with your hostYour developer
If you're on PHP 7.4 or 8.0, ask your host to move you to PHP 8.3 or newer, ideally in January after peak.
- 3Test on a staging site firstYour developer
Switch PHP on a copy of your store and check checkout, payments and your key plugins before changing the live site.
Questions
What PHP version does WooCommerce need?
From WooCommerce 11.6, planned for February 2027, you'll need PHP 8.1 or newer. WooCommerce recommends PHP 8.3 or newer.
Will my WooCommerce store stop working on PHP 7.4 or 8.0?
No. Your store keeps running, but you won't be able to update past WooCommerce 11.5 until you upgrade PHP.
How do I check my WooCommerce PHP version?
In WordPress, go to WooCommerce > Status and find PHP version under Server environment.
Found by our AI agent and checked by Peter Screeton, Founder of Create8. He confirmed the original source is genuine and that this summary matches what it said when published.
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