What Is This Error?
When you activate the Search Atlas WordPress plugin on a server running an outdated version of PHP, WordPress may display a critical error or a blank white screen, making your site temporarily inaccessible. This happens because newer versions of Search Atlas require a minimum PHP version to run correctly.
What to Do When You See This Error
Because the specific PHP version requirement and the exact steps to resolve this error can vary depending on your hosting environment and your version of the plugin, we recommend taking the following general approach and then reaching out to our team for confirmation:
- Deactivate the plugin. If your WordPress admin dashboard is still accessible, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins and deactivate Search Atlas. If your dashboard is inaccessible due to the error, contact your hosting provider — they can deactivate the plugin at the server level to restore access to your site.
- Check your current PHP version. Log in to your hosting control panel and locate the PHP version setting. If you are unsure where to find this, your hosting provider's support team can confirm your current PHP version and how to change it.
- Upgrade your PHP version. Work with your hosting provider to upgrade PHP to a version compatible with Search Atlas. Your hosting provider can complete this upgrade and advise on any compatibility considerations for your other plugins and themes.
- Re-activate Search Atlas. Once your PHP version has been updated, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins in your WordPress dashboard and click Activate next to Search Atlas.
- Verify the site is working. Visit your website and confirm the error is resolved. Then log in to Search Atlas and check that the plugin is connected correctly.
Before You Upgrade PHP
Upgrading PHP can affect other plugins and themes on your site. It is good practice to take a few precautions:
- Back up your site before making any server-level changes.
- Check compatibility of your other plugins and themes with the new PHP version before upgrading.
- Test on a staging environment first if your site is business-critical.
Need Help Confirming the Right PHP Version?
If you are unsure which PHP version is required for your specific version of Search Atlas, or if you have followed the steps above and are still seeing errors, please reach out to our support team with the following information ready: your current Search Atlas plugin version, your current PHP version, and the exact error message you are seeing.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.