PHP 8.1 problems with Apache [Solved]

@khatabwedaa windows 11.

@khatabwedaa Thanks for the reply, I have used many zip versions of apache and php over the years but never had to copy that file. But tried it and still same error. I did reboot the computer also.

@jlrdw Have you tried. a2enmod php8.1 and restarting Apche?

https://opensenselabs.com/blog/tech/change-php-version-drupal-website-apache-nginx

@Tray2 it's on Windows 11 development. And prior version php 8.0.13 works, jst getting problems with 8.1.

@jlrdw Have you updated your httpd.conf

LoadModule php_module "C:/php/php8apache2_4.dll"

@Tray2 yes I have:

PHPIniDir "D:/programs/php"
LoadModule php_module "D:/programs/mywamp/php/php8apache2_4.dll"
AddType application/x-httpd-php .php

And in the 8.0.13 version, I went to all works. Just the 8.1 problems.

EDIT

I even tried the version from QA Releases, PHP 8.1 (8.1.1RC1) but still an error, this time:

PHP Warning:  PHP Startup: fileinfo: Unable to initialize module\nModule compiled with module API=20210902\nPHP    compiled with module API=20200930\nThese options need to match\n in Unknown on line 0

And several others similar, it's as though the extensions aren't working but they are uncommented.

@jlrdw This might be something https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13816051/php-warning-unable-to-initialize-module

@Tray2 I saw that one, I am beginning to think there's an unfixed bug in the 8.1 thread safe version.

The 8.1 non thread safe version works fine with nginx.

@jlrdw That is a possibility. I will give it a go on my Windows 10 machine tonight and see if I get the same thing.

@Tray2 thanks

@jlrdw I just did a fresh install of Apache and php 8.1 on my Windows 10 home edition.

I didn't face any issues with a standard install following this guide

https://sitepoint.com/how-to-install-php-on-windows/

@Tray2 yes that's the install steps I use, and like I said php 8.0.13 with same apache works perfect.

However this machine is Windows 11 which shouldn't make a difference, but later I'm going to boot up a Windows 10 machine and give it a try.

Did you use rc1?

@jlrdw I used the thread safe version found here https://windows.php.net/download/

@Tray2 I also have the non thread safe version working, but the NTS is used with nginx, all is working good with nginx.

Apache needs thread safe.

Edit:

I setup same on a windows 10, same errors. However the php 8.0.13 still worked perfect.

@jlrdw You are correct, I meant the thread safe version.

I did this on my machine.

#1. Downloaded the httpd-2.4.51-win64-VS16.zip from Apache Lounge

#2. Unzip it to C:\Apache24

#3. Download php8.1 Thread safe from [windows.php.net(https://windows.php.net/download)

#4. Unzip it to C:\php8.1

#5. Add these lines to the end of httpd.conf

# PHP 8.1 module 
PHPIniDir "C:/php8.1"
LoadModule php_module C:/php8.1/php8apache2_4.dll
AddType application/x-httpd-php .php

#6. Add index.php to the DirectoryIndex

<IfModule dir_module>
	 	DirectoryIndex index.php index.html
</IfModule>

#7. Test the config (As administrator) with `httpd -t``

#8. Start Apache (As administrator) with httpd

#9. Create index.php and add

<?php phpinfo();

#10. Browse to localhost

@Tray2 did you uncomment

Include conf/extra/httpd-mpm.conf

@jlrdw No, I didn’t. I can do that when i get home from work and test again.

@jlrdw I uncommented that line and it still works fine.

@shaungbhone I use Valet, but then I'm on a Mac.

@jlrdw That is very strange. Have you tried to download php and apache again and placed then in other directories?

@Tray2 yes on the Windows 10 machine.

I tried the 8.1 first, same errors, then tried the same with 8.0.13, and no errors all worked.

Even added to path and rebooted.

But like I said the non threaded version works with nginx perfect.

Apache was fine, I get the it works.

It's something with the 8.1 php I'm missing. Even reinstalled the vs files required, vc_redist_x64 link.

@Tray2 Also I did further testing:

WIth php 8.1, I cannot get it working with apache on windows without errors like:

[mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 6788:tid 740] AH00428: Parent: child process 3500 exited with status 3221225477 -- Restarting.

But no errors using php 8.0.13

However, apache itself works, and the php 8.1 built in server works. The two just won't work together. I even tried enabling some of the commented zend extensions.

@jlrdw If it was just one machine, I'd say you have memory issue, but since it's two different machines that isn't likely. Just a shot in the dark, what happens if you turn off the anti-virus software?

@Tray2 getting late, I will try tomorrow. Weird that 8.1 64bit works with nginx and the 8.1 x86 works.

I even tried all three the one from download page and both from the QA Releases page.

But the built in server did work in the 8.1 64 bit version. I can normally setup a mariadb, php, apache combo faster than a container, just a few minutes.

I haven't encountered such errors prior. Been setting this stuff up for years. Of course new to nginx, but so far it's been pretty easy to work with thanks to help from you and others here.

@jlrdw are you downloading the windows Thread Safe version? You need 8.1 64-bit Thread Safe (TS) for Apache.

Which version do I choose?

IIS

If you are using PHP as FastCGI with IIS you should use the Non-Thread Safe (NTS) versions of PHP.

Apache

Please use the Apache builds provided by Apache Lounge. They provide VC15 and VS16 builds of Apache for x86 and x64. We use their binaries to build the Apache SAPIs. With Apache, using the apache2handler SAPI, you have to use the Thread Safe (TS) versions of PHP.

@MichaelPritchard thanks for reply. Yes I have correct version, the 8.0.13 works perfect. Just cannot figure out the errors in the 8.1 64 bit yet.

As I said, the built-in server works, I just cannot get that version working happily with Apache.

@jlrdw I've tried some experiments with PHP 8.1 64-bit Thread Safe with Apache 2.4.51 64 bit. Everything works until I open Laravel, then all I can get is This site can’t be reached!

• PHP 7.4 works with Laravel 8 (Laravel v8.75.0 (PHP v7.4.19))
• PHP 8.0 works with Laravel 8 (Laravel v8.75.0 (PHP v8.0.12))
• PHP 8.1 works with Laragon home page and phpinfo(), but not with Laravel 8, I get This site can’t be reached The connection was reset.

@jlrdw Great that you finally solved the issue :)

@Tray2 I appreciate your and others help so much.