Understanding the Error
The error message ‘your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress’ can be a significant roadblock when setting up a WordPress site. This issue typically arises due to the absence of the necessary MySQL extension in your PHP configuration.
Installing the MySQL Extension on Linux
To resolve this error on a Linux-based server, you can install the MySQL extension by executing a few commands via the terminal. Begin by updating your package list:
sudo apt-get update
Next, install the MySQL extension:
sudo apt-get install php-mysql
Finally, restart your web server to apply the changes:
sudo systemctl restart apache2 or sudo systemctl restart nginx
Installing the MySQL Extension on Windows
If you are working on a Windows environment, follow these steps:
1. Open the php.ini file, typically located in your PHP installation directory.
2. Uncomment the line that includes extension=php_mysqli.dll by removing the leading semicolon (;).
3. Save the file and restart your web server, such as Apache or Nginx.
Verifying the Installation
Once you have installed the MySQL extension, you should verify that it is correctly installed. Create a PHP file with the following content:
<?php phpinfo(); ?>
Access this file via your web browser. If the installation is successful, you should see MySQL listed in the PHP information page.
By following these steps, you can efficiently resolve the ‘your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress’ error and ensure that your WordPress site functions correctly.
