403 error: MIME type [application/x-httpd-ea-php##] for suffix '.php' does not allow serving as static file, access denied!

Symptoms

403 Forbidden errors prevent you from opening a website. The following error is recorded in the Apache error logs:

CONFIG_TEXT: 403 error: MIME type [application/x-httpd-ea-php##] for suffix '.php' does not allow serving as static file, access denied!

Cause

This is often seen on recently migrated accounts or pages where there is a mismatch between the enabled PHP version on the account or domain and the handlers set up in the domain's htaccess file.

Resolution

https://cpanel.zendesk.com/agent/tickets/95420345

Review the domain's htaccess file and ensure that the PHP version it is using matches what is listed there.

1. Review the main .htaccess file on the domain either through cPanel's "File Manager" or using SSH. You will find the following code block listing the currently expected PHP version:

CONFIG_TEXT: # php -- BEGIN cPanel-generated handler, do not edit
# Set the “ea-php82” package as the default “PHP” programming language.
<IfModule mime_module>
AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php82 .php .php8 .phtml
</IfModule>
# php -- END cPanel-generated handler, do not edit

2. Using the MultiPHP Manager in cPanel or WHM, make sure the correct PHP version is selected. If the version is not available it may need to be installed using EasyApache in WHM