PhpStorm PHP Interpreter Is Not Configured

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Add a local interpreter

   Copy steps
   1. Open Settings | PHP
   2. Next to CLI Interpreter click ... and add a Local Path to the php executable
   3. Press the refresh icon to confirm the version is detected
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Use Docker or WSL

   Copy steps
   1. In the same dialog pick From Docker, Vagrant, VM, WSL, Remote
   2. Choose Docker Compose or WSL and the service or distro
   3. Check Docker is running
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Set the language level

   Copy steps
   1. Settings | PHP | PHP language level
   2. Match it to your runtime version
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

A banner says "PHP interpreter is not specified or invalid", run configurations fail, or inspections and Composer actions are disabled.

Why it happens

• No CLI interpreter set for the project
• php binary not on PATH or the path changed after an update
• Docker or WSL interpreter unreachable
• Project language level does not match the PHP version

This guide also covers

• phpstorm php interpreter not configured
• phpstorm cli interpreter
• phpstorm php not found

Other PhpStorm errors

• PhpStorm Xdebug Not Connecting / Breakpoints Not Hit
• PhpStorm Composer and Laravel Not Working (Autocomplete, Undefined Class)
• PhpStorm Indexing Takes Forever / Stuck on Indexing
• PhpStorm Out of Memory: How to Increase Heap Size
• Why Is PhpStorm So Slow / Freezing?
• PhpStorm License Activation Error / License Not Found
• PhpStorm Plugin Incompatible After Update
• PhpStorm AI Assistant Quota Exceeded / Not Working