Step 1 of 5
Let’s check your server
Before anything is set up, we make sure your hosting has everything this website needs. Nothing is changed on your server in this step.
3 things need fixing before you can continue
Each item marked “Needs fixing” says what to do. Most can be changed in cPanel in a minute or two. When you’ve made the changes, press Check again.
Server
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Ready: PHP version
8.4.23
Your server runs PHP 8.4.23. This site needs PHP 8.4 or newer.
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Ready: Web server software
Apache
This server reads the site's .htaccess files, which keep private folders closed. PHP handler: fpm-fcgi.
PHP extensions
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Needs fixing: pdo
Missing
PHP's database layer, used for every saved message and setting. The site can't run without it.
How to fix it
In cPanel → Select PHP Version → Extensions, tick pdo (click Save if you see a Save button), then reload this page. If your cPanel only has MultiPHP Manager (no Extensions list), ask your host to enable the pdo extension for PHP 8.4.
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Needs fixing: pdo_mysql
Missing
Connects the site to your MySQL or MariaDB database. The site can't run without it.
How to fix it
In cPanel → Select PHP Version → Extensions, tick pdo_mysql (click Save if you see a Save button), then reload this page. If your cPanel only has MultiPHP Manager (no Extensions list), ask your host to enable the pdo_mysql extension for PHP 8.4. On some servers it is listed as nd_pdo_mysql.
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Needs fixing: mbstring
Missing
Handles names and messages written in any language. The site can't run without it.
How to fix it
In cPanel → Select PHP Version → Extensions, tick mbstring (click Save if you see a Save button), then reload this page. If your cPanel only has MultiPHP Manager (no Extensions list), ask your host to enable the mbstring extension for PHP 8.4.
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Ready: openssl
Enabled
Encrypts the saved mail password and makes secure mail connections.
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Ready: json
Enabled
Reads and writes the data sent by the website's forms.
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Ready: session
Enabled
Keeps you signed in while you use the installer and the admin area.
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Ready: filter
Enabled
Checks that email addresses and other form entries are valid.
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Ready: ctype
Enabled
Checks the characters in form entries and settings.
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Ready: hash
Enabled
Creates the secure fingerprints used for sign-in protection and visitor privacy.
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Worth knowing: fileinfo
Missing
Identifies file types safely. Recommended; the site works without it.
What you can do
In cPanel → Select PHP Version → Extensions, tick fileinfo (click Save if you see a Save button), then reload this page. If your cPanel only has MultiPHP Manager (no Extensions list), ask your host to enable the fileinfo extension for PHP 8.4.
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Worth knowing: intl
Missing
Formats dates, numbers and country names for different languages. Recommended; the site works without it.
What you can do
In cPanel → Select PHP Version → Extensions, tick intl (click Save if you see a Save button), then reload this page. If your cPanel only has MultiPHP Manager (no Extensions list), ask your host to enable the intl extension for PHP 8.4.
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Ready: curl
Enabled
Makes outgoing web requests; many PHP add-ons expect it.
Files and folders
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Ready: app folder can be written to
Writable
The installer can save your settings file (app/config.php).
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Ready: storage folder can be written to
Writable
The site can keep its private working files here.
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Ready: storage/logs folder can be written to
Writable
Error logs will be saved here, out of public view.
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Ready: install folder can be deleted
Yes
When setup is finished, the installer can delete its own folder for you.
Recommended
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Ready: Secure connection (HTTPS)
Active
Visitors' messages and your admin password travel encrypted.
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Ready: PHP memory limit
128M
PHP may use up to 128M of memory per page. 64M or more is enough.
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Ready: PHP time limit
30 seconds
Pages may run for up to 30 seconds. 30 seconds or more is enough.
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Ready: Sending alert emails
mail() and SMTP
Alert emails can be sent with the server's own mail() function or through an SMTP mailbox.
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Ready: PHP sessions can be saved
Working
PHP saved this visit's session, so sign-ins will work.
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Ready: PHP functions turned off by the host
None that matter
Every PHP function the site relies on is available.
Privacy of your files
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Private folders are hidden from visitors
Not checked
This check runs in your browser, so it needs JavaScript. It isn’t required to continue.
What you can do
Your web server is ignoring this site's .htaccess files, so private files in the app and storage folders (such as error logs) can be opened from a browser. This usually means the server runs Nginx, or Apache with .htaccess support turned off. You can finish setup, but before you go live ask your host to block web access to the app and storage folders. On Nginx they can add this rule: location ~ ^/(app|storage)/ { deny all; }
Fix the items marked “Needs fixing”, then press Check again to continue.