This article explains how to adjust PHP settings in the Plesk administration tool. First, log in and navigate to the "Websites & Domains" tab. There, you can open the advanced options and select PHP settings to adjust the PHP version and execution mode. Various execution modes such as FastCGI and FPM are available and can be chosen based on your needs. In the lower section, PHP directives like memory_limit and max_execution_time can be configured. Some directives have default values that cannot be exceeded.
How to create backups directly in Plesk is explained here.
Table of Contents
Adjust PHP Version
1. Log in to the Plesk administration tool. (Forgot password?)
2. Make sure you are on the Websites & Domains tab.
3. Open the advanced options by clicking the arrow next to the domain name.
4. Then click on the Dashboard tab and then on PHP Settings to adjust the corresponding parameters and PHP version in Plesk.
5. In the first section, you can set the PHP version (left) and the execution mode (right).
Execution Modes
FastCGI application (served by Apache)
This is our default setting, which offers good performance and high compatibility.
FPM application (served by Apache)
FPM (FastCGI Process Manager) is an alternative to FastCGI with some additional features, especially for high-traffic websites.
FPM application (served by nginx)
This setting is intended for professionals and should only be used for applications that explicitly support it.
| When using the execution mode "FPM application served by nginx", directives stored in an htaccess file are not taken into account. |
6. In the lower section, you can adjust PHP directives. There are default values that cannot be exceeded.
The following directives are available:
| Directive | Default Value | Possible Values |
| memory_limit | 256M | 256M, 512M, 1024M, 2048M |
| max_execution_time | 60 | 60, 120, 240, 360, 720 |
| max_input_time | 60 | 60, 120, 240, 360, 720 |
| post_max_size | 256M | 256M, 512M, 1024M, 2048M |
| upload_max_filesize | 256M | 256M, 512M, 1024M, 2048M |
| opcache.enable | on | on, off |
| disable_functions | opcache_get_status | |
| include_path | .:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php | |
| session.save_path | /tmp | |
| mail.force_extra_parameters | (empty) | |
| open_basedir | {WEBSPACEROOT}{/}{:}{TMP}{/} | {WEBSPACEROOT}{/}{:}{TMP}{/}, {DOCROOT}{/}{:}{TMP}{/}, none |
| error_reporting | E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE & ~E_STRICT & ~E_DEPRECATED | E_ALL, E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE, E_ALL & ~E_STRICT & ~E_DEPRECATED, E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE & ~E_STRICT & ~E_DEPRECATED |
| display_errors | on | on, off |
| log_errors | off | on, off |
| allow_url_fopen | on | on, off |
| file_uploads | on | on, off |
| short_open_tag | on | on, off |
Disable PHP
1. Log in to the Plesk administration tool. (Forgot password?)
2. Make sure you are on the Websites & Domains tab.
3. Open the advanced options by clicking the arrow next to the domain name.
4. Then click on the Dashboard tab and then on PHP Settings to adjust the corresponding parameters and PHP version in Plesk.
5. You will see the view below and can remove the checkmark for PHP support by clicking on it.
6. The PHP version will then be grayed out. Save the changes by clicking "Apply." PHP is now disabled.