A cached WordPress site loads pages faster for visitors by storing temporary versions of database queries, images, and other elements. However, the cache needs to be cleared regularly to ensure site visitors see the latest content updates. Here are the steps to proceed with WordPress clear cache.
The easiest way to clear WordPress cache is by using a caching plugin like WP Fastest Cache or WP Rocket. These plugins add a “Clear Cache” button to the WordPress admin dashboard. Simply click this button to purge the entire cache.
Alternatively, visit the plugin’s settings page and look for options to clear cache, purge cache, or empty cache. For example, WP Fastest Cache has “Delete Cache” and “Delete All Cache” buttons on its settings page while WP Rocket lets you clear cache on its Dashboard page. An expert WordPress management service can do it for you.
Using a plugin ensures you clear all cached files, database queries, opcode caches, minified assets, etc. It’s a one-click solution without needing SSH access or coding skills.
To manually delete cached WordPress files on your server:
• FTP into the /wp-content/cache/ directory and delete all files/folders inside. This clears page cache created by WordPress object cache or plugins.
• Navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory and delete all cache-related plugin folders except the caching plugin you use. This removes obsolete/stale cache data.
• Delete cached static assets from /wp-content/uploads/ directory or CDN. This includes cached CSS, JS, and image files.
• Clear server-level caches like Redis, Memcached, OPcache via ssh access or host control panel. This wipes out application-level cache for better performance.
Manually clearing cache requires shell access to your host. It can also lead to accidentally deleting important files if you are not careful. If you can’t take a risk, it is better to hire a WordPress developer.
If your WordPress site uses a content delivery network (CDN), you must also purge the CDN cache after clearing WordPress cache.
Simply visit your CDN provider’s control panel and use the purge/flush functionality. For example, Cloudflare has an option to “Purge Cache”. This removes all cached static files on CDN edge servers worldwide.
Purging the CDN is crucial otherwise visitors may still see old, cached version of CSS, JS and images files. It ensures everyone sees updated assets after publishing changes.
After clearing WordPress cache, ask your visitors to refresh the site with Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R to view updated content.
This hard refreshes their browser cache and loads new copies of cached JavaScript, and CSS files from the server.
You can also prompt visitors to clear their browser cache manually after changes. But that is less convenient compared to a hard browser refresh.
Clearing cache is an important part of managing a WordPress site. Here are some key reasons why cache clearing should be part of your regular website maintenance:
• Serve Updated Content: Any changes made to your site content, images, themes, or plugins will not be visible to users if old, cached versions are served. Clearing cache ensures everyone sees fresh content.
• Fix Website Issues: Many WordPress errors like broken images, missing resources, and layout problems can be fixed simply by clearing cache. It removes corrupted/buggy cached files.
• Improve Page Speed: A bloated cache accumulates excessive files over time and slows down site loading. Clearing it removes unused cache data and speeds up load times.
• Avoid Outdated Information: If you update details like business addresses, and opening hours, a stale cache will still show outdated information to visitors unless flushed.
• Apply New Code Logic: Changes in website code, URLs, scripts, and database queries require cache clearing so new logic is executed on site pages.
Ideally, use a caching plugin like WP Rocket and configure automatic cron-based cache clearing. This lets WordPress handle cache invalidation automatically without any manual intervention. However, you can also work with one of the WordPress support services to get it done.
For one-off cases, use the plugin’s clear cache button. If using server caches, manually delete cache folders/files via FTP occasionally. And remember to flush CDN and ask visitors to hard refresh their browser.
Following these steps will keep your WordPress site fast by ensuring caches always serve fresh content. Let caching work for you rather than against you!
A seasoned technology writer and marketing consultant with over a decade of experience helping businesses grow online. I specialize in content marketing, SEO, web design, and e-commerce development. I am enthusiastic about using cutting-edge technology to acquire high-quality traffic, generate leads, and increase sales for my clients.
