When upgrading the WordPress theme, updating a plugin or entering to the WordPress page a message will appear to update the PHP version.
Without updating the PHP version the newer WordPress version cannot be updated sometimes.
When PHP version is not upgraded and on entering the WordPress website home page or login page the following error message appears,
Your server is running PHP version 5.4.45 but WordPress 5.2.3 requires at least 5.6.20.
This message not allows to navigate to any page of the website even it does not allows to navigate to the login page of the WordPress website.
The only solution is to login to cPanel of the hosting provider and update the PHP version.
This article describes the step to update the WordPress PHP version using BigRock. BigRock is one of the famous Domain and Website Hosting service provider.
Before doing the following steps take the backup of your WordPress files and theme settings. First time when I saw the PHP Version upgrade message in WordPress dashboard I missed to update the PHP version. The next time I am not able to login to the WordPress as the PHP version message blocks in entering the site. Eventually I updated the PHP version in cPanel without taking the backup. The update went successful and to my surprise the original site settings remain intact.
Login to cPanel of the Website. The login URL will be http://wesbite.com/cpanel.
In cPanel navigate to Software and search for MultiPHP Manager.
Under System PHP Version Check the PHP Version. If latest PHP Version is set as default check it does not have the inherited label.
If it is inherited you will find the following message when the Inherited tool tip is clicked,
This domain inherits its PHP version “PHP X” from: System Default
Even it is latest PHP version, it should not be inherited. If it is inherited the WordPress upgrade message will not be allowing to login to your WordPress website. Change the System Default inherited version to the latest Version from PHP Version drop down and Apply your changes.
Now you should be able navigate to home page or login page. Hope this solution helps.