Unable to guess the MIME type as no guessers are available. How do I install php_fileinfo extension in cPanel?

Stefan Bogdanescu

Founder & Senior Architect · 2026-06-29

Laravel Company
Title: Unable to Guess MIME Type? Install PHP_Fileinfo Extension in cPanel for Enhanced Image Upload Validation Body: Enabling image upload validation with accurate file type guessing can streamline your web application's content management, providing a secure and user-friendly experience. However, you might encounter situations where the cPanel setup prevents your Laravel application from successfully recognizing the MIME types of uploaded files on the server. This issue is often linked to the lack of PHP_Fileinfo extension installation or its incorrect configuration. In this comprehensive guide, we discuss how to troubleshoot and fix this problem in your cPanel setup. The first step in solving this issue is identifying if the PHP_Fileinfo extension is indeed missing or inactive. To check it, you can follow these steps: 1. Log into your cPanel account and navigate to the "Select PHP Version" section under Software > Select PHP Version. Here, you'll find a list of available PHP versions and their status. 2. Look for an extension named 'fileinfo.' If it is not visible in this list, proceed to the next step. 3. Go back to the main cPanel dashboard and locate the "Software" section. Click on the "MultiPHP INI Editor" icon under the "Advanced" subsection. This tool allows you to customize PHP settings per directory or globally for your website's files. 4. In the MultiPHP INI Editor interface, select either the global configuration or a specific directory containing your Laravel application. Click on the "Edit Configuration Files" button to access the editor window. Now that you know the current state of the PHP_Fileinfo extension in your cPanel setup, let's proceed with installing it if needed. Here are the necessary steps: 1. Log into your web hosting account and navigate to the "Advanced" section under the cPanel dashboard. Click on "EasyApache (Aptoide) 4 (apache2handler)" to access the package manager for Apache, PHP, and MySQL packages. 2. From the EasyApache menu, click on "Customize Current" to enter the EasyApache Wizard. Then select the PHP version you use with your application in the PHP options tab. 3. In the "Optional Modules" section, scroll down and find the "Fileinfo Extension." Select the checkbox next to it and press the "Save & Install" button at the bottom of the screen to proceed with installing the extension on your cPanel server. 4. After installation is complete, reload the PHP_fileinfo editor from the MultiPHP INI Editor tool. Ensure that the checkbox next to 'fileinfo' is checked and save the configuration. This should activate the PHP_Fileinfo extension for your Laravel application on the server. If the problem persists after installing or activating the PHP_Fileinfo extension, consider checking for compatibility issues with other modules. You might need to recompile your PHP version or consult your hosting provider's support team if you encounter any difficulties completing these steps. Finally, make sure your Laravel application is using the correct PHP version. If it was not set before, you can change the configuration by going back to the "Select PHP Version" section under Software > Select PHP Version and selecting the desired PHP version for your Laravel project. Restarting your web server or reloading the page might be necessary to apply these changes. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you should now be able to successfully upload images with accurate file type guessing using the PHP_Fileinfo extension on your cPanel-managed website. Always prioritize security and user experience by keeping your Laravel application's web server settings updated and properly configured.