Understanding problems that occur after upgrading PHP versions

Updating PHP causes new Debug Logs

This page explains why PHP warnings can suddenly start occurring. An explanation of how to fix them is provided in PHP Warnings and Deprecated messages after upgrading.

PHP debug logs can suddenly start appearing in the following cases:

  • using an older plugin which has not been updated on a newer version of PHP.
  • updating the PHP version on your website
  • upgrading your site and changing PHP versions but forgetting a few files

Note: On a shared hosting account, your hoster can just update PHP at any time - just because you didn’t change anything doesn’t mean it didn’t change!

Check the Admin Version link to verify your current version of PHP.

PHP is a dynamic language which is continually being updated. And part of the update process is sunsetting features, functions, syntax and other language elements:

  • the language designers decide to improve/change how something works
  • then the new way is introduced, and the old way is deprecated for awhile,
  • then the old way is eliminated entirely.

The php.net website shows you the PHP lifecycle and which PHP versions are current.

The symptom you will see when this is an issue for you is that things that used to work (even yesterday) suddenly do not. What might have happened in this case is that your hoster just upgraded your PHP version without warning.
Alternatively, perhaps you upgraded your version of Zen Cart, but wound up using some old files designed for an older PHP version.

Each version of Zen Cart (and each plugin) was developed for the version of PHP that was prevalent at the time, and may not be compatible with newer PHP versions. See mapping of Zen Cart versions to PHP versions for more information about which PHP version is compatible with your Zen Cart version.



Still have questions? Use the Search box in the upper right, or try the full list of FAQs. If you can't find it there, head over to the Zen Cart support forum and ask there in the appropriate subforum. In your post, please include your Zen Cart and PHP versions, and a link to your site.

Is there an error or omission on this page? Please post to General Questions on the support forum. Or, if you'd like to open a pull request, just review the guidelines and get started. You can even PR right here.
Last modified November 6, 2020 by Scott C Wilson (87ddb567).