Set Timezone in php.ini

Changing the timezone using the php.ini configuration file in PHP allows developers or administrators to set the default timezone for their PHP applications and ensure accurate time-related operations. It is essential to have the correct timezone configured, especially when dealing with time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduling events, handling timestamps, or displaying time information.

By modifying the timezone in php.ini, developers can ensure that PHP functions and date/time-related operations within their applications are synchronized with the desired timezone, aligning them with the intended geographic location or global standard. This adjustment helps maintain consistent and accurate time representations across the application, enhancing functionality and user experience.

By default, PHP uses the UTC timezone. To change this, the date.timezone value needs to be modified in the php.ini file.

Set Timezone in php.ini

1. Log into the cPanel
2. Navigate to the File Manager, located in the Files section
   
3. Navigate to the site's document root or the specific folder that needs to be adjusted
4. Locate the php.ini file that's being used
   TIP: The PHP Info page shows the loaded INI file and location.
5. If there's not a local php.ini file, then create a default PHP.INI
6. Edit php.ini and search for date.timezone
   NOTE: It's possible this line doesn't exist.  If so, create it using the example below.
7. Once located, determine the proper timezone to be used from the PHP website
8. If you're in the United States and are in the Central Timezone, then you'll need to pick a city from the PHP website that's in the Central Timezone, like Chicago
   EXAMPLE: The date.timezone entry would be
   

   date.timezone = "America/Chicago"

9. Save and close the file

NOTE: The changes take effect immediately, provided that the local INI file is the loaded configuration file.