Last updated: January 2026
You updated WordPress.
Your site now shows a blank page, error messages, or does not load.
This situation is common.
It affects thousands of sites every week.
In early 2026, one cause explains most failures.
Short answer:
Your server runs an outdated PHP version. WordPress no longer supports it.
WordPress 6.7 and later require newer PHP. Many hosts still run PHP 7.4. That version reached end of life in 2022. It no longer receives fixes or security patches. Modern WordPress code does not work reliably on it.
When WordPress updates and PHP stays old, the site breaks.
This is the primary cause in 2026.
WordPress core now assumes PHP 8.x features.
PHP 7.4 cannot parse that code.
PHP 7.4 reached end of life on November 28, 2022.
It receives no security updates.
It receives no bug fixes.
Many plugins and themes no longer support it.
WordPress itself is removing backward compatibility.
Hosts keep PHP 7.4 active to avoid server work.
They expect customers to react after failures appear.
Common error messages include:
Fatal error: Uncaught Error
Parse error: unexpected token
Call to undefined function
If your server runs PHP 7.4 or lower, this explains the failure.
Plugins that connect deeply to WordPress core often fail first.
Security plugins intercept file loading.
Caching plugins override output logic.
Page builders rely on internal WordPress functions.
When WordPress updates, those internals change.
Older plugins call functions that no longer exist.
Newer plugins assume PHP 8 syntax.
PHP 7.4 cannot interpret that syntax.
This mismatch causes fatal errors before pages render.
Themes fail when developers stop maintaining them.
Risk increases when:
A single unsupported function can block page output.
Many shared hosts run outdated server stacks.
They delay PHP upgrades.
They restrict memory and execution time.
They cache files aggressively at the server level.
After an update, WordPress loads new files.
The server still serves cached old files.
The system enters a mixed state.
This conflict breaks page output.
Database issues occur less often but cause total failure.
Common causes include:
These errors stop WordPress before content loads.
Updates can change file ownership on some servers.
Security plugins may lock files.
FTP uploads may assign incorrect permissions.
WordPress then fails to read or write required files.
PHP 7.4 support ended years ago.
Compatibility lasted longer than expected.
WordPress maintained backward support to protect users.
That window has closed.
WordPress 6.7 uses PHP 8 features by default.
PHP 7.4 cannot parse them.
This change affects every site that updates core or plugins.
Restore the last working version.
This returns the site to a stable state.
It buys time to apply proper fixes.
If admin access fails:
plugins directory This process isolates the failure source.
Rename the active theme directory.
WordPress loads a default theme automatically.
If the site loads, the theme caused the failure.
This step is required.
Modern WordPress needs PHP 8.1 or higher.
Upgrade PHP through your hosting control panel.
Test the site after the change.
If the host cannot upgrade PHP quickly, the host is the issue.
Warning signs include:
These conditions increase failure risk.
Test updates on a copy of the site first.
Match PHP versions between staging and live.
Use daily automated backups.
Store them off the server.
Verify restore access.
Check plugin and theme requirements before updates.
Routine checks prevent emergency failures.
Get help if:
Downtime costs more than repair.
WordPress failures after updates follow a pattern.
Outdated PHP causes most issues.
Budget hosting increases risk.
Lack of testing triggers downtime.
PHP 7.4 will continue to break sites.
Upgrade now under control.
Do not wait for the next failure.
