Fix : PHP bcmath Extension Missing Ubuntu 16.04

Previously we talked about one indispensable plugin WP Statistics. WordPress WP statistics like plugins use the module with GEO IP and infamously through errors rendering plugin’s many functions limited. Here is how to fix PHP bcmath extension missing on Ubuntu 16.04, Nginx running PHP 7.0 or PHP 7.1. Ofcouse one can follow this guide to fix PHP bcmath extension missing Ubuntu 16.04 for any type of web softwares.

Fix : PHP bcmath Extension Missing Ubuntu 16.04 : Stepwise Troubleshoot

If you have upgraded from old Nginx and PHP, then you must check which version of PHP you are actually using. If we run php -v command we will get this kind of output :

The above output is saying that maximum version of PHP the system can use is 7.1.5. It does not mean really it is using PHP 7.0. That way deliberately set by the repo maintainer for backward compatibility. If you change directory to /etc/php/ and do and ls, you’ll see all the versions :

From Nginx, actually you can use any of the version of PHP.

Secondly, you should check which repo you are using by looking at these files and directories :

In our case, the ls output is :

We wanted to see whether ondrej-ubuntu-php-xenial.list is present or not. In case you do not that PPA in your system, simply run these commands :

Now, if you go to /etc/nginx/sites-available directory and open Nginx “virtual hosts” file, search with fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php/php (in case you are using UNIX socket), you will find the entries like :

The above is example that you are using php7.0, not php7.1; although both are available on your system. Now, you have two options :

1. Using PHP 7.1 and install that missing PHP bcmath
2. Continue using PHP 7.0 and install that missing PHP bcmath

We suggest to temporarily continue using PHP 7.0 and install that missing PHP bcmath and later plan to upgrade to PHP 7.1. Because changing version of PHP-FPM with Nginx is not exactly easy smooth work, that needs lot of backup and can have a downtime – expect white pages and troubleshooting.

Simply run :

You are expected to get installation output :

Continue it and restart the services :

Alternatively, in case you want to use PHP 7.1 and install that missing PHP bcmath then run :

and restart the services :

Check your web application, it should be working now. There is no more extra settings, PHP bcmath enabled while compilation for the above PPA. If you still can not make PHP bcmath active, you have some other problem and you should have a basic checking of the log files.