PHP is not recognized as an internal or external command in command prompt
PhpCmdExePhp Problem Overview
I got the following error when I run a command with php
C:\xampp\htdocs>php
'php' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
I don't get any error when I run the command with php in following path:
C:\xampp\php>php //do not got error here
Why I get this error?
> 'php' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
Php Solutions
Solution 1 - Php
Add C:\xampp\php to your PATH environment variable.(My Computer->properties -> Advanced system setting-> Environment Variables->edit path)
Then close your command prompt and restart again.
Note: It's very important to close your command prompt and restart again otherwise changes will not be reflected.
Solution 2 - Php
You need to Go to My Computer->properties -> Advanced system setting
Now click on Environment Variables..
Add ;C:\xampp\php in path variable value
Now restart command prompt DONE!
Note: Make sure you run CMD via run as administrator
Solution 3 - Php
You just need to a add the path of your PHP file. In case you are using wamp or have not installed it on the C drive.
Solution 4 - Php
Set "C:\xampp\php" in your PATH Environment Variable. Then restart CMD prompt.
Solution 5 - Php
You need to add C:\xampp\php to your PATH Environment Variable, Only after then you would be able to execute php command line from outside php_home.
Solution 6 - Php
Is your path correctly configured?
In Windows, you can do that as described here:
Solution 7 - Php
I also got the following error when I run a command with PHP, I did the solution like that:
- From the desktop, right-click the Computer icon.
- Choose Properties from the context menu.
- Click the Advanced system settings link.
- Click Environment Variables. In the section System Variables, find the PATH environment variable and select it. Click Edit. If the PATH environment variable does not exist, click New.
- In the Edit System Variable window, Add
C:\xampp\phpto your PATH Environment Variable.
Very important note: restart command prompt
Solution 8 - Php
Here what I DO on MY PC I install all software that i usually used in G: partian not C: if my operating system is fall (win 10) , Do not need to reinstall them again and lost time , Then How windows work it update PATH automatic if you install any new programe or pice of softwore ,
SO
I must update PATH like these HERE! all my software i usually used
%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;G:\HashiCorp\Vagrant\bin;G:\xampp\php;G:\xampp\mysql\bin;G:\Program Files (x86)\heroku\bin;G:\Program Files (x86)\Git\bin;G:\Program Files (x86)\composer;G:\Program Files (x86)\nodejs;G:\Program Files (x86)\Sublime Text 3;G:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft VS Code\bin;G:\Program Files (x86)\cygwin64\bin
Solution 9 - Php
Extra info:
If you are using PhpStorm as IDE, after updating the path variable you need to restart PhpStorm so that it takes effect.
Restarting terminal window was not enough for me. (PhpStorm 2020.3.2)
Solution 10 - Php
For Laragon:
First, download your PHP from [https://windows.php.net/download/] then unzip your file -> copy folder -> paste this direction:
C:\laragon\bin\php`Your folder`
search from windows
> Edit the system environment variables
and then open it. 
Click Environment variables...
Click path and Edit
Click New and add the php.exe path like: C:\laragon\bin\php`Your folder`
and then press OK for all steps.
restart laragon and vscode
and our problem is already solved.
Solution 11 - Php
I have to face the same problem which I solved by adding the path of XAMP/WAMP to PATH environment variable.
Follow these steps:
- Go to System Properties
- Go to Advanced
- Go to Environmental Variables
- Edit the Path environment variable
- Add the installation path of xammp/wamp like in my case the path is
E:\xammp\php - Click on Ok
- Restart command prompt (cmd)
- Check the version of PHP by running
php --version.
Solution 12 - Php
I faced this issue even with a properly set up windows environment variable. I just needed to close and restart the terminal to solve it.
Solution 13 - Php
The previous answers about adding the path to the Env Var are correct, but my case was different.
I needed to downgrade my PHP version to 5 in order to update an old application.
I was using the following combination: MAMP, PhpStorm, the Environment Variable Path was set properly to the MAMP PHP version that I was using
- The error was showing in PhpStorm's Terminal
- The error was due to the php.ini file using # in the comment
- After I replaced "#" by ";" I restarted PhpStorm and recognized the PHP version and the command "php -v" worked again
Solution 14 - Php
Laragon users
you will find your PHP folder in the bin folder of laragon. goto your desired PHP version folder and copy the location. for me it was:
C:\laragon\bin\php\php-7.4.19-Win32-vc15-x64
Add that location on your system PATH:
After that, you need to restart your cmd or terminal.
Solution 15 - Php
In my case the problem was in the path, I was giving the path to the php.exe and that's wrong I have to write the path of the root folder...
Solution 16 - Php
In latest Xampp 8.1.2 PHP path is changed to this below: Set it in your PATH variable.
C:\xampp\php\windowsXamppPhp
Don't forget to restart the PowerShell and run as Administrator.