Table of contents

What is the “Missing MySQL Extension” error?Why this error happens in WordPressHow to check your PHP configurationFix 1: Install or enable the MySQL extensionFix 2: Downgrade or upgrade PHPFix 3: Update WordPress and pluginsFix 4: Check php.ini and .htaccess settingsFix 5: Use phpinfo to verify everythingFix 6: Reinstall PHP and extensionsFix 7: Contact your hosting providerNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Errors → Fix Missing MySQL

How to fix missing MySQL extension error in WordPress

Seeing the “Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension” error on your WordPress site? It usually pops up after switching servers, changing PHP versions, or doing a migration—and it stops your site cold.

Let’s walk through how to fix it and get your WordPress site back online.

What is the “Missing MySQL Extension” error?

This error means WordPress can’t communicate with your MySQL database because the required PHP extension isn’t available. The specific message often looks like:

Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress.

WordPress hasn’t used the old mysql extension for years. Instead, it uses newer alternatives like mysqli or PDO_MySQL. But if your server or hosting environment is misconfigured—or if PHP is missing necessary modules—you’ll still run into this error.

Why this error happens in WordPress

Common causes include:

PHP is too new (and lacks backward compatibility)
PHP is too old (and lacks required modules)
mysqli or pdo_mysql extensions are missing
The server stack wasn’t fully configured after a migration
Incorrect php.ini or .htaccess settings

Here’s how PHP versions compare in terms of MySQL extension support:

PHP Version	Supports `mysql`	Supports `mysqli`	Supports `PDO_MySQL`
5.6	Yes	Yes	Yes
7.0–7.3	No	Yes	Yes
7.4	No	Yes	Yes
8.0+	No	Yes	Yes

How to check your PHP configuration

Before making changes, confirm your current setup:

Create a phpinfo.php file with this code:
<?php phpinfo(); ?>
Upload it to your site’s root directory and open it in your browser
Look for:
- PHP version
- Loaded Configuration File path
- Active extensions list (look for mysqli, pdo_mysql)

You can also check via command line with:

php -v
php -m | grep mysql

Fix 1: Install or enable the MySQL extension

For cPanel or shared hosting

Most shared hosts let you manage PHP extensions from the control panel. Here’s how:

Log into cPanel
Open Select PHP Version or PHP Extensions under the Software section
Make sure mysqli and pdo_mysql are checked
Click Save or Apply

This ensures the right extensions are compiled into PHP. You may need to switch to an alternate PHP version where these are available.

For VPS or dedicated servers

If you’re managing your own server, you’ll need to install PHP modules manually. For example:

On Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt install php-mysql
On CentOS/RHEL:
sudo yum install php-mysqlnd

After installing, restart Apache or PHP-FPM:

sudo systemctl restart apache2
# or
sudo systemctl restart php-fpm

This will load the extensions into the PHP environment.

For Docker or custom stacks

If you’re running WordPress inside a container or custom LAMP/LEMP setup, make sure your Dockerfile or provisioning script includes the PHP MySQL modules. Rebuild your image and verify the extension is installed with:

php -m | grep mysql

Fix 2: Downgrade or upgrade PHP

Sometimes the PHP version running on your server isn’t compatible with the plugins or themes you’re using—or it’s missing required extensions.

If your host upgraded PHP automatically (e.g., to 8.2), it may have removed old modules. Try switching to PHP 7.4 or 8.1 via your control panel.
If you’re on VPS, you can install an alternate version with a tool like update-alternatives

Stick with PHP versions that balance performance with compatibility. WordPress core works well with PHP 7.4 and PHP 8.1+.

Fix 3: Update WordPress and plugins

Some plugins and older WordPress installs may still expect the deprecated mysql extension. Updating removes that dependency.

Log in to WordPress admin (if possible)
Go to Dashboard → Updates and install core, plugin, and theme updates

If you can’t access the dashboard:

wp core update
wp plugin update –all

Using WP-CLI lets you update the site even when the admin is down.

Fix 4: Check php.ini and .htaccess settings

In php.ini:

The php.ini file controls which extensions PHP loads. Make sure it includes these lines:

extension=mysqli
extension=pdo_mysql

If the lines are missing or commented out (with a semicolon), PHP won’t load the extensions. Uncomment and restart your web server.

In .htaccess:

Check for lines that set the wrong PHP version or interfere with module loading. If your host uses .htaccess to control PHP settings, it could be overriding your chosen version or module path.

Fix 5: Use phpinfo to verify everything

Once you’ve made changes, confirm they worked:

Load your phpinfo.php file again
Scroll down to see if mysqli and pdo_mysql are listed under loaded extensions
Confirm the PHP version is what you expect

This helps ensure your fixes were applied correctly. Delete the file afterward to avoid exposing sensitive server info.

Fix 6: Reinstall PHP and extensions

If you’ve installed conflicting packages or your PHP environment is corrupted, a clean reinstall might be required.

Back up everything (WordPress files, database, PHP configs)
- Remove PHP:
- sudo apt purge php*
Reinstall PHP and necessary extensions:
- sudo apt install php php-mysql php-cli php-fpm
Restart your web server

This is a last resort, but often the cleanest fix if nothing else works.

Fix 7: Contact your hosting provider

If you’re using shared hosting or managed hosting for WordPress, you might not have access to these settings. In that case:

Open a support ticket
Share the full error message
Include your current PHP version and any steps you’ve taken

Preventing this error in the future

There are steps you can take to avoid this happening again:

Always test PHP upgrades in a staging environment
Keep WordPress and plugins up-to-date
Use a host that supports full PHP configuration
Monitor your site for errors using tools like UptimeRobot or SiteAlert (formerly WP Health)

Next steps for fixing missing MySQL extension in WordPress

The “missing MySQL extension” error is usually a PHP misconfiguration. Once you confirm your PHP version and ensure the right extensions are enabled, your WordPress site should be back up in minutes.

Start with the easiest fix—enabling mysqli in your PHP settings. If you’re on a VPS, you may need to install or reinstall PHP packages yourself. Shared hosting users should reach out to their provider for support.

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