PHP Files Download Instead of Running in XAMPP

PHP file downloading instead of executing in XAMPP? Learn how to configure Apache and fix MIME types on Windows, macOS, and Linux/Ubuntu systems.

🧩 Introduction

Ever clicked on a .php file in your browser only for it to download instead of executing? This is a very common issue in XAMPP and typically happens because Apache isn’t configured to handle PHP properly.

In this blog, we’ll fix the issue step-by-step for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu/Linux users.

❗ Why This Happens

• PHP module isn’t loaded by Apache
• MIME type for .php not handled
• Wrong httpd.conf or php.ini configuration
• PHP isn’t installed or linked correctly (on Linux/macOS)

🖥️ Fix on Windows

✅ Step-by-Step:

1. Open httpd.conf:
   • XAMPP Control Panel > Apache > Config > httpd.conf
2. Enable PHP Module:
   • Find: #LoadModule php_module "c:/xampp/php/php8apache2_4.dll"
   • Remove the #: LoadModule php_module "c:/xampp/php/php8apache2_4.dll"
3. Add PHP Handler:
   • At the bottom of the file, add: AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php PHPIniDir "C:/xampp/php"
4. Save and restart Apache.
5. Verify:
   • Create a test.php file in htdocs: <?php phpinfo(); ?>
   • Visit:
     http://localhost/test.php

🍏 Fix on macOS

✅ Step-by-Step:

1. Edit Apache config: sudo nano /Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/etc/httpd.conf
2. Enable PHP Module:
   Find and uncomment: LoadModule php_module modules/libphp.so
3. Add PHP Handler:
   Add this if missing: AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php
4. Set PHP config path:
   Add: PHPIniDir "/Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/etc/"
5. Restart Apache: sudo /Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/xampp restartapache
6. Test it:
   • Add test.php in /Applications/XAMPP/htdocs/
   • Visit: http://localhost/test.php

🐧 Fix on Linux/Ubuntu

✅ Step-by-Step:

1. Edit Apache config: sudo nano /opt/lampp/etc/httpd.conf
2. Uncomment PHP Module:
   Find and ensure: LoadModule php_module modules/libphp.so
3. Add Handler if missing: AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php PHPIniDir "/opt/lampp/etc"
4. Restart Apache: sudo /opt/lampp/lampp restartapache
5. Verify:
   • Add test.php in /opt/lampp/htdocs/: <?php phpinfo(); ?>
   • Open: http://localhost/test.php

✅ Bonus Check (All Platforms)

If you’re using .htaccess, ensure it doesn’t override PHP handling with:

RemoveHandler .php
AddType application/x-httpd-php .php

Also verify your browser isn’t caching an old MIME type. Try opening the file in incognito/private window.

📌 Conclusion

The issue where PHP files download instead of run is always tied to a missing or misconfigured PHP handler in Apache. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, follow the steps above to get your server running properly.

💬 Need Help?

Post your httpd.conf snippet or system info in the comments—I’ll guide you further!