PHP cURL Extension Missing Fix

PHP cURL errors often happen because CLI and web PHP use different builds or php.ini files.

Symptoms

  • Call to undefined function curl_init().
  • Composer requires ext-curl.
  • The extension works in CLI but not through the website, or the reverse.

Likely causes

  • cURL extension is not installed for the active PHP version.
  • CLI and PHP-FPM use different configurations.
  • Docker image does not install or enable curl.

Fix steps

  1. Check php -m and phpinfo() for curl.
  2. Install the curl extension for the exact PHP version.
  3. Restart PHP-FPM or the container after enabling it.
  4. Update Dockerfile when the missing extension is inside an image.

Verify the fix

  • Run php -m | grep curl.
  • Check web phpinfo() carefully, then remove it.
  • Re-run Composer or the failing HTTP request.

FAQ

Why does CLI work but the site fails?

They may use different PHP binaries, ini files or containers.

Is ext-curl the same as the curl command?

No. PHP extension support and the shell curl binary are separate.

Related tools and guides

PHP PHP Error Explainer

Paste common PHP errors and get likely causes, fixes and verification steps for runtime, syntax and dependency problems.

 cURL cURL Command Builder

Build readable cURL commands for API requests with method, headers, JSON body and safe auth placeholders.

 Docker Docker Compose Generator

Generate starter docker-compose.yml snippets for common local development stacks.

 PHP Fix PHP Class Not Found and Composer Autoload Errors

Class not found errors usually come from autoload configuration, namespace mismatches, missing packages or case-sensitive file paths after deployment.

Last updated: May 18, 2026