Create a phprc file via FTP

Every installation of PHP comes with default settings which are usually fine for most websites. Occasionally, the needs of a website make it necessary to adjust these PHP settings. Creating a php.ini (phprc) file is the solution to adjust the PHP settings for your website.

You can create a phprc file using an FTP client, or by logging into the server via SSH, however creating a phprc file is easier using an FTP client. This article uses Filezilla as the FTP client.

1. Log into your web server via FTP. Visit the following article for detailed instructions:
   • FTP overview & credentials

   

2. Confirm that you’re in your user's directory.

   You can see this in Filezilla in the ‘Remote site:’ field. It will say /home/username.

   

3. Click into the .php directory within the user's directory.

   Make sure you have connected using the FTP user that hosts the site. If you still do not see this directory in your client, make sure you have enabled hidden files in your FTP client:

   • How to view hidden files in an FTP client

   If you find this directory does not exist under your user, you can simply create the .php directory along with the nested subdirectories for any PHP versions you are using.

   

   3.1 - Right-click in your username's directory. From the popout, select Create directory.

   

   3.2 - Name it .php. Click into this new directory.

   

   3.3 - Create any subdirectories for the specific version of PHP you're creating a phprc file for.

4. Click into the PHP directory that matches the version your site is running. Remember to first check which version of PHP your site is using.
5. Right-click on the phprc file, and then choose View/Edit.

   If this is the first time you've opened this file on a Windows computer, you may see the following warning.

   

   Check the box titled Always use selection for all unassociated files and click OK.

   

   A default text editor opens for you to add your customizations. 

   When you originally open this file, you will notice the following lines of code added by DreamHost.

   ; {{{ The following lines were automatically added by DreamHost
   zend_extension=opcache.so
   ; }}} That's all from DreamHost

   Your code should be placed below the DreamHost code block. Do not add any lines within the beginning and ending semicolons. 

   If you place your code within the semicolons, it will be overwritten by the server.

6. Enter any of your customizations below that line.

   

   When you try to save this file in Filezilla, the following pop-up box opens.

7. Check the box that says Finish editing and delete local file, and then click the Yes button to save.

After you've saved your changes, you should kill off all running PHP processes. This ensures your new settings are updated. View the following article for instructions on how to do this in your panel:

• How to update your phprc file in your panel

After you've edited the file and killed off all PHP processes, you should check to confirm the values have updated. You can do this by creating a phpinfo.php file.

If you do not see your changes have updated, try killing off your PHP processes again:

• My phprc file isn't updating

The phprc file you just created is used for any domains under this specific username that are also running the specific version of PHP you chose in step#6 when creating the directory.

For example, if the user has three domains where two are running PHP 8.2 and the third is running PHP 8.3, only the first two domains running 8.2 would be affected by the phprc file. You would need to create a separate phprc file for the PHP 8.3 site.