Encountering the following notification on your WordPress site may stem from a variety of causes, contributing to a discrepancy in the compatibility between your PHP installation and WordPress. Primarily, it signals the absence of the MySQL extension, an essential component for establishing a connection between WordPress and the MySQL database. It’s imperative to note that support for this extension has been phased out in PHP versions 7.0 and beyond.
The presence of this message suggests that the code of your WordPress site might not align with the PHP version currently in use. This misalignment can manifest due to several factors, such as outdated WordPress files, the non-existence or non-activation of the MySQL extension, or incorrect configuration of the PHP extension. This predicament is particularly prevalent in newly set up WordPress installations, particularly on operating systems lacking the MySQL extension by default, as exemplified by certain Linux distributions. Additionally, such an issue may arise during site migration or alterations in server configurations.
Addressing this predicament involves exploring three potential solutions:
- Update Your WordPress Installation: The most straightforward remedy involves upgrading your WordPress installation to the latest version. This can be achieved by logging into your dashboard and selecting the ‘Updates’ section.
Subsequently, clicking on ‘Update Now’ under the WordPress version updates will initiate the update process. Update Your WordPress from cPanel: An alternative method involves navigating to your cPanel and performing the update from there.
- Make Sure the MySQL Extension Is Installed: If a WordPress update fails to rectify the issue, the next step is to ascertain the presence and activation of the MySQL extension. Some operating systems lack this extension by default, necessitating manual installation. Creating an info.php file in your WordPress site’s root directory and inspecting it through a web browser will provide details about your PHP installation. Verify the presence of the MySQL extension in the displayed information.
- Verify the PHP Extension Is Properly Configured: If the problem persists, it is probable that your PHP extension directory is either improperly configured or not configured at all. Returning to the PHP info page in your browser and examining the “Loaded Configuration File” section will unveil the file path value. This path should match the entry under the “extension_dir” parameter. If discrepancies are identified, modifying the php.ini file to accurately reflect the extension directory becomes necessary.
By systematically addressing these potential causes and implementing the corresponding solutions, you can effectively resolve the MySQL extension-related issue on your WordPress site.