How To Change Your Domain PHP Timezone in WebHostingM cPanel

Ever scheduled a conference call only to realize it's happening at 3 AM your time? Website timestamps can suffer from the same confusion if the PHP time zone isn't set correctly. As a seasoned cPanel developer, I'll guide you through adjusting your PHP time zone, ensuring your website operates in sync with your location.

What is a PHP Time Zone?

Imagine the Earth as a giant clock. Different locations experience noon at different times. A PHP time zone tells your website's scripts which "clock" to follow, ensuring timestamps and scheduled events display accurately for your visitors. For instance, a news website in New York might use "America/New_York" as its time zone, while a store in London would likely use "Europe/London."

Why Change the PHP Time Zone?

• Accuracy is Paramount: Correct time zone settings ensure your website displays accurate timestamps for events, promotions, or blog posts. This builds trust with your visitors and avoids any confusion.
• Scheduled Tasks on Time: If your website relies on automated tasks like publishing content or sending emails at specific times, having the correct time zone is crucial for smooth operation.
• Global Appeal: If your website caters to an international audience, setting a time zone relevant to your target location can enhance user experience.
• Legal Compliance: In some cases, legal regulations or contractual agreements may require websites to display timestamps and dates according to a specific timezone, necessitating adjustments to the PHP timezone setting.

How to Change Your PHP Time Zone in cPanel

There are two main scenarios depending on the type of PHP hosting you have:

Scenario 1: HardenedPHP Packages (Using PHP Selector)

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Navigate to "Software" and click "PHP Selector."
3. Click on the "Options" tab.
4. Locate "date.timezone" and find your desired time zone using a resource like https://www.php.net/manual/en/timezones.php.
5. Enter the chosen time zone in the designated field. The changes are automatically saved.

Scenario 2: Upstream Supported PHP (Using MultiPHP INI Editor)

Important Note: Modifying PHP settings requires caution as errors can lead to malfunctioning scripts. If unsure, consult WebHostingM's support team for assistance.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Navigate to "Software" and click "MultiPHP INI Editor."
3. Select the location you want to modify (either your home directory or a specific domain's document root).
4. Switch to the "Editor Mode" tab for your PHP version.
5. Locate the "date.timezone" setting and update it with your desired time zone. For example: date.timezone = America/Los_Angeles
6. Click "Save." This saves the changes to relevant configuration files.

You need to be super careful with the changes you are making as an error could result in non-functional PHP scripts. cPanel does not recommend the use of these directives in PHP settings:

• null
• yes
• no
• true
• false
• on
• off
• none

cPanel also does not recommend using these special characters in any directives you are adding:

• ?
• {}
• |
• &
• ~
• !
• [
• ()
• ^
• "

WebHostingM Support

After making changes, WebHostingM recommends notifying their technical support team to ensure the adjustments take effect.