How to enable PHP opcode caching

This article describes how to enable PHP opcode caching.

About APC and OPcache

The Alternative PHP Cache (APC) and OPcache provide opcode caching. By caching the compiled operation codes (opcodes) of PHP scripts, APC and OPcache enable sites to serve page content significantly faster.

APC is a PHP extension that runs on PHP 5.4 and earlier versions. Because it is a separate extension, it may or may not already be installed on your server. For information about how to determine if APC is installed on your server, please see this article.

OPcache is a drop-in replacement for APC that runs on PHP 5.5 and later versions. OPcache is a core component built into PHP, so it does not require separate installation like APC does.

Enabling opcode caching

To enable opcode caching for your account, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
2. Open the PHP Selector:
   • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Software section, click Select PHP Version:

     

   • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the SOFTWARE section of the cPanel home page, click Select PHP Version:
     

     

   If you do not see the Select PHP Version icon, your server does not support this feature. 

3. Select the check box next to the opcode caching extension you want to enable:
   

   • If you are using PHP version 5.4 or older, select apc.
   • If you are using PHP version 5.5 or newer, select opcache.
4. Click Save. Opcode caching is now enabled.

More Information

• For more information about OPcache, please visit https://php.net/manual/en/book.opcache.php.