Running PHP 5 for WordPress with 1&1 Hosting
If you are on a shared hosting plan with 1&1 it’s relatively easy to create a new MySQL Database for your WordPress installation.
Creating Your New Database
Just sign into your account and navigate to Web Space & Access and then to MySQL Administration. Click on “New Database” and you will be prompted to name your new database along with the option of choosing between MySQL 4.0 and MySQL 5.0 for your new database. WordPress Requirements state that WordPress need PHP 4.3 or higher to function properly although a few plugins require that you use PHP 5 to function. Choose PHP 5 and your database will begin setup.
Since we created a new database and chose the option of MySQL your database is using PHP 5 right? Unfortunately that’s not the case.
Checking Your PHP Version by Creating a phpinfo.php File
1&1 will have your new database running PHP 4.4.9. Easiest way to check what version of PHP you are running is to create a phpinfo.php file and insert the following.
<?php phpinfo(); ?>
Upload this file to your directory and open phpinfo.php in your web browser.
The information at the top of this window will display the version of PHP that you are running.
Forcing 1&1 to Use PHP 5
It only takes 2 lines added to your .htaccess to force 1&1 to use a version of PHP 5. Add the following to the first 2 lines in your .htaccess file.
AddType x-mapp-php5 .php AddHandler x-mapp-php5 .php
Once you make the edits to your .htaccess upload it to your directory and once again open phpinfo.php in your web browser. You should now be able to see that your database is using PHP 5
10 Comments: Comment or Ping
Simon
Many many thanks for this fix. I find it damn annoying that 1&1 support is akin to a paper umbrella in a downpour when their product seems pretty good and robust for the money.
Thanks again
Apr 20th, 2009
gabediaz
@Simon -
Yea it sucks that one has to go in and manually make edits to 1&1’s system when the average user would not know how to do it nor know where to look for info on fixing their issue.
Apr 20th, 2009
Alan
Perfect, worked great. My 1&1 Wordpress blogs are now working exactly how they should. Thanks so much!
Jun 18th, 2009
gabediaz
@Alan -
Awesome!
I found it very frustrating that even though 1&1 asks for you to choose php4 or 5 that you have to manually force 1&1 to use PHP5…hopefully one day they will correct this issue.
Jun 21st, 2009
JoeTaxpayer
Hey. I found this post by googling 1&1 wordpress, hoping to find some 1&1 discussion regarding this. Your advice worked perfectly, and the PHP5 – only plugins now work. Thanks!
Joe
JoeTaxpayer’s last blog post..My Favorite Kind Of Bar
Jul 11th, 2009
gabediaz
@JoeTaxpayer -
Glad this worked!
Jul 14th, 2009
Anthony Ogden
Brilliant, thank you for letting people know, I was looking for an option in the admin somewhere but couldn’t find one to switch to PHP 5.
Thanks again.
Oct 15th, 2009
cashman
great information thank you
Nov 10th, 2009
Sam
Nice, this was extremely easy and helpful.
Nov 25th, 2009
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