SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and user experience both depend on a website that loads quickly. Speed-optimized websites typically have reduced bounce rates, which raises engagement and boosts conversions. Quick websites are also given preference by Google and are ranked higher on the search results page.
Website speed is influenced by numerous factors, including hosting company and coding standards. As a result, there are numerous approaches to improve site performance, with web caching being among the best.
Web caching keeps copies of the data on your website for incoming queries. Rather than requiring your website visitors to download the actual material from the server, web caching retrieves these cache files for them. As a result, your material loads faster.
On the other hand, cache files have an expiration date that prevents users from seeing the most recent version of your website.
We will delve further into WordPress caching in this post and examine the significance of cache clearing. We’ll talk about several caching plugins, their advantages, and how they might enhance the functionality of your website. We will also include detailed instructions on using several methods on how to clear cache in WordPress. Regardless of your level of WordPress experience, this tutorial will provide you with the information and resources you need to optimize the caching system on your website efficiently.
WordPress Cache: What Is It?
Media files, HTML, Javascript, CSS, and other static information are temporarily stored in a cache.
Your browser sends requests to the website’s server each time you view it. The server may need a minute or two to retrieve and present the requested content; however, web caching speeds up this process.
The static content of the website is downloaded and saved as cache files through web caching. Because it already has the cached material, your browser can make fewer requests to the server.
There are two primary web caching systems:
- Caching that is done on the client side, sometimes referred to as browser caching, keeps the static content locally stored. The webpage will load more quickly when a user returns because the cached version is already kept in the browser’s cache folder.
- Client-side and server-side caching share a similar notion. But it stores the website’s cached data on a server. Server cache is a fantastic solution for websites with a lot of traffic since it can save different site data from several databases.
Overall, web caching improves the performance of your website by maintaining a static version of it, which decreases the number of requests that reach your server.
Because fewer requests mean less bandwidth is needed for processing, it also uses less of your network’s resources, which is advantageous for resource-constrained websites.
Benefits of Clearing Cache
Clearing cache offers several benefits for your WordPress website. So make sure you know how to clear cache in WordPress.
a) Updated Content
When you make changes to your website, such as updating a blog post or changing the design, clearing cache ensures that visitors see the latest content instead of viewing outdated versions.
b) Improved Performance
If you know how to clear cache in WordPress, it will lead to improved website performance as it eliminates the need for re-rendering HTML files from scratch. Visitors will experience faster page loading times, resulting in a better user experience.
c) Debugging and Troubleshooting
In some cases, cached files can cause conflicts with plugins or themes, resulting in unexpected behavior on your website. Clearing cache can help identify and resolve such issues by starting with a clean slate.
How to Clear Cache in WordPress?
You may make adjustments to your WordPress website from time to time, but the front end may not be updating your content. This could occur because the cached version of your pages is still being seen by your WordPress server.
Fortunately, this problem is frequently resolved by deleting the WordPress cache. The caching system can keep the new data and present it to your users when the cache on your website is empty.
Installing plugins is the simplest approach to clear the cache on WordPress websites. In the section that follows, you will learn how to clear cache in WordPress when your domain is directed to Cloudflare, as well as how to clear cache using four well-known WordPress caching plugins.
Make Cache Clear using LiteSpeed
LiteSpeed Cache for WordPress (LCWP) is a plugin that helps you effectively control how your cache is used and saved. This caching plugin comes with LiteSpeed-only optimization tools and speeds up site loading by using the LiteSpeed server cache.
LiteSpeed powers all of Hostinger’s web hosting plans, including those that are designed for WordPress, and the plugin is pre-installed in each hosting account. To get the plugin, simply go to the WordPress plugin directory if you’re using a different web server.
You may want to know how to clear cache in WordPress using the LiteSpeed Cache plugin? There are several ways to empty the WordPress cache using the LiteSpeed Cache plugin. From incorporating particular website URLs for a scheduled purge to configuring automatic cache cleaning based on predetermined parameters. To do that, adhere to the directions below:
- Upon installing and activating the plugin, go to the WordPress administration dashboard. After that, visit LiteSpeed Cache.
- Select the Toolbox option, and the window for the LiteSpeed Cache Toolbox will open.
- You can delete several kinds of cache, such as CSS/JS cache and page cache. Select the kind of cache purge you wish to carry out.
- Select Purge All to completely erase your WordPress cache. You can go ahead and clear the cache, but be aware that it won’t remove any important content from your WordPress website.
- However, you can scroll down to the Purge By section if you only want to clear the cache for specific areas of your website. Enter your content using a category, tag, or URL after that.
You can visit a particular website to clear the WordPress cache in addition to accessing your WordPress dashboard; however, you must log in as an administrator. To purge this page, just hover your cursor over the LiteSpeed symbol in your admin bar.
Three caching modes—WP caching, Simple caching, and Expert caching—are used by WP Super Cache to modify the caching system on your WordPress website.
For websites with heavy traffic, the Expert and Simple approaches are great because they offer super cached data. The Expert technique only differs in that it rewrites rules in your .htaccess file to optimize performance. In the meantime, logged-in users—such as those who keep personal information on your site or post comments—are cached by the WordPress caching technique.
With only one click, this WordPress caching plugin may also clear cache files. To accomplish so, just take the actions listed below:
- Select Settings -> WordPress Super Cache from the WordPress admin panel.
- Locate the Delete Cached Pages option by scrolling down the WP Super Cache Settings page. Next, press the button labeled “Delete Cache.”
Garbage collection is the most notable caching feature offered by the WP Super Cache plugin, among many other capabilities. The system will remove cache files in accordance with the cache timeouts that users choose. The steps listed below can help you do this:
- Select Advanced under WP Super Cache in Settings. Next, select the Expiration Time & Garbage Collection by scrolling down.
- Adjust the cache interval and timeout to suit your needs.
The best time to update a WordPress website is 3600 seconds if you don’t change it frequently. To avoid poor performance, proprietors of busy websites with a lot of dynamic information, such as eCommerce sites, should set it to 600 seconds.
- To save the modifications, click Change Expiration.
- Just set the cache timeout to 0 seconds to turn off garbage collection.
Now you know how to clear cache in WordPress using WP Super Cache.
Clear Cache Utilizing W3 Total Cache
One of the most widely used caching plugins, W3 Total Cache is renowned for its bandwidth-saving capabilities and degree of customisation. Through HTTP compression, feed optimization, and minification, this plugin reduces bandwidth use by up to 80%. It provides many forms of caching, such as site, database, and browser cache.
Additionally, this caching plugin supports AMP, which enhances SEO speed. Additionally, users can carry out a number of operations, like how to clear cache in WordPress and query string changing, using the WP-CLI support command interface.
Here’s how to use W3 Total Cache to empty the WordPress cache:
- Go to Performance -> Dashboard in your WordPress admin area after installing this caching plugin.
- Select the button labeled “empty all caches” at the top of the page.
- The WordPress cache will start to be cleared by the system. You should see the message “All caches successfully emptied” after it’s finished.
- There are additional buttons for removing different sorts of caches, such as removing just the Memcached cache from the database, in addition to the empty all caches button. To begin the action in the appropriate manner, just click the button.
Clear Cache Using WP Fastest Cache
Another well-liked caching plugin is WP Fastest Cache, which is well-known for its many optimization and cache management features like GZIP compression, minifications, and cache preloading. It offers the fastest caching solution with mod_rewrite and includes an easy-to-use interface.
To avoid the headache of how to clear cache in WordPress manually, users can use cache timeout. Additionally, the plugin has the ability to automatically remove all cache files whenever a new page or post is published. This keeps out-of-date information off of your WordPress website.
To use WP Fastest Cache for automated cache clearing, follow these steps:
- Go to WP Fastest Cache from the WordPress admin panel. The WP Fastest Cache Options page will open as a result.
- Next, choose the checkbox beside to the Cache System configuration. Once caching is enabled, the plugin will periodically empty your cache.
- Just make sure to check the New Post and Update Post settings if you wish to delete cache files every time a page or post is published.
- Check the box next to each setting to activate extra functionality. To save changes, don’t forget to hit the Submit button.
To manually empty the cache on your WordPress website:
- Select the Delete Cache tab by going to WP Fastest Cache.
- Next, select the Delete Cache option.
- In the meanwhile, if you have recently updated any JavaScript or CSS files, select the Delete Cache and Minified CSS/JS option.
- The Timeout Rules setting is located at the bottom of the page. Just select Add New Rule to set the time of expiration.
- A window that pops up will show up. You can set the frequency of deletion and the condition of the pages or posts you want to cache there. Press Save to include the rule.
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Use Cloudflare to Clear Cache
In addition to WordPress caching plugins, Cloudflare can be used to clear WordPress’s cache. Cache control, quick cache purge, and web cache protection are just a few of the capabilities our content delivery network (CDN) service offers to enhance the performance of your website.
Use this method to clear the cache in WordPress, link your domain to Cloudflare, and set up the CDN. Domains pointed to Cloudflare nameservers won’t need to be changed by users of Hostinger’s active Cloudflare services; instead, these changes will be made automatically.
In the event that your WordPress server does not install Cloudflare for you automatically, take the following actions:
- Open an account with Cloudflare.
- Enter your domain name and watch as the DNS records are recognized by the system.
- Decide on the plan level.
- Just copy the values and update your nameservers from your hosting account dashboard when Cloudflare displays the necessary nameservers.
After pointing your domain to Cloudflare, execute the following actions to empty the WordPress cache:
- Select the domain of your WordPress website by logging into your Cloudflare dashboard.
- Select Configuration from the Caching menu.
- Select the cache cleansing technique that you like most. Click the Purge Everything option to remove all cache files. Choose Custom Purge and enter the pages you wish to remove if you want to pick and choose which ones to remove.
This process will render you how to clear cache in WordPress.
Use a Browser's Cache Cleaner
Resolving loading and formatting issues might also be answered by how to clear cache in WordPress on your own browser. It will get rid of old files so that your browser can download an updated version of your website. Additionally, by doing this, server-related problems such as 502 bad gateway and 504 gateway timeout can be resolved.
Remember that clearing your browser’s cache could also erase any stored information, including bookmarks and preferences. Therefore, after you’ve finished cleaning the cache, make sure to export your data from the browser and import it back.
You may learn how to empty the cache in Google Chrome by following these steps. Keep in mind that the procedures are the same for other browsers.
- Launch the Chrome app.
- Press the menu icon with three dots (⋮) located in the upper right corner of your screen.
- Select Clear Browsing Data under More Tools.
- It will lead you to a screen with the option to erase your cache in Basic or Advanced mode.
- Select the method of your choice, enter the time period, and check the appropriate boxes. To preserve your login information, leave the Passwords and other sign-in data box unchecked.
- In the end, press the Clear data button.
Best Practices for Caching in WordPress
It is crucial how to clear cache in WordPress, it’s equally important to follow best practices for implementing caching in WordPress:
a) Regularly Monitor Your Website
Keep an eye on your website’s performance after implementing caching. Ensure that any changes made are reflected correctly.
b) Test Compatibility with Plugins/Themes
Before activating any caching plugin, test its compatibility with other plugins or themes you have installed to avoid conflicts or unexpected behavior.
c) Utilize Browser Caching
Leverage browser caching by setting appropriate expiration headers for static resources like images, CSS, and JavaScript files.
d) Optimize Images
Compress and optimize images before uploading them to your WordPress website to reduce file sizes and improve load times.
e) Minify CSS and JavaScript
Use minification techniques to reduce file sizes of CSS and JavaScript files without affecting their functionality.
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In Summary
Because it keeps copies of your site’s static material for later use, caching is an excellent technique to speed up the loading speed of your website. On the other hand, out-of-date cache files could keep visitors from viewing recent updates to your website.
Fortunately, you may fix this issue by deleting the cache on your website. You now know the use of well-known caching plugins and how to clear cache in WordPress. Try cleaning the cache in your browser as well, in case deleting the WordPress server cache doesn’t resolve the issue.
It should be noted that browsers and servers will require some time to download the contents again when the cache is cleared, which could cause a little delay in loading times.
FAQ's about How to Clear Cache in WordPress
Following your comprehension of WordPress cache clearing, below are some often asked questions:
Q. How Often Should I Delete My WordPress Cache?
The frequency of website updates determines how frequently you should clean the cache in WordPress. To keep WordPress secure and current, we advise clearing the cache at least once a week. On the other hand, if you update hourly to daily, you can also remove the cache daily.
Q. Ways to Delete Cache without Using Plugins for WordPress?
Without using a WordPress plugin, clearing the cache is achievable and may be done by hand. You can accomplish this by directly accessing your server or by using an FTP client like FileZilla to remove the contents of the wp-content/cache folder on your website.
Q. What Advantages Does Clearing the Cache Offer?
For any web user, clearing their cache is a crucial maintenance procedure. It permits you to get the most recent content from websites you frequently visit, freeing up space on your device and maintaining the functionality of your web browser.
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