Before you panic, let us tell you the solution is likely simple! You may need to clear the WordPress cache and browser cache to see those new changes.
You’ve made major updates to your website, but they’re not showing up in real-time… Now what?
In this guide, you’ll learn what cache is and why you may need to empty your WordPress cache.
We’re also covering several tutorials to show you how to clear cache in WordPress using plugins, how to clear cached information through your hosting provider, and how to clear browsing data from your web browser.
Spoiler alert: One of the best things you could do to enhance the performance of a WordPress website besides maintaining proper security is to enable caching. Knowing how to clear your cache when needed helps too!
But you also don’t have to do this alone. Our team helps website owners, agency partners, and freelancer partners set up caching solutions, maintain your WordPress site, and more. Whether you need us to manage one website or support 4,000 client sites, we’ve got your back.
What Is Cache? Plus, How Cached Information Is Stored
Caching systems save and store a static version of your WordPress website. Because of this process, WordPress no longer needs to run heavier PHP scripts and can load your web pages faster. This boosts overall website speed and improves user experience, impacting SEO!
As a website owner, you have several ways to store a cached version of your WordPress site. Client-side caching, or browser caching, stores the HTML pages on the user’s computer. That means when that user visits your site.
The cached version is loaded from that local computer.
Server-side caching stores the static HTML pages on the website server’s hard disk or RAM. Typically,
this is used for very robust websites with multiple databases.
Between the two options, browser caching is the fastest, although server-side caching is still a superior option to not caching at all!
Why We Use Website Caching & Why You May Need to
Clear Cache
We use website caching because it provides an optimal experience for visitors. Your website can load much more quickly with each new visitor by sending a saved static copy of the site.
That said, what’s the point in making a website faster if you don’t have new content to display to visitors?
People will not visit your website unless you have something compelling or of value to share with them. And people certainly won’t return to your website if you don’t continually populate it with new content.
While caching is supposed to clear, the second something changes on your WordPress site.
that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands. Boom!
When you make new changes to your website, they may not always reflect in real-time right away — that’s because of the stored, cached version of your website.
That means when you make design tweaks or post new content… or there are changes to plugins, themes, or your database, you may need to manually clear your cache for visitors to experience the most updated version of your WordPress site.
What Does Purge From Cache Mean?
Purge, delete, and clear your cache are three different phrases used to explain the same concept. You’re eliminating saved information your browser or server has retained from your WordPress site, including cached images, files, and pages. This means the next time you go to load your website; your browser will be pulling new information from the website server.
It’s important to understand this means you’ll likely have to re-enter any saved logins associated with your WordPress account… so make sure you have those written down somewhere safe!
After purging all cache, you’ll probably notice a change in page load speed. (And we mean slower page speeds, not faster.)
How to Clear Cache in WordPress Using a Plugin
“How do I clear the cache in WordPress?” Well, WordPress caching plugins are the easiest-to-implement form of browser caching. As a WordPress admin, they’re also the easiest caching solution for you to be able to clear cached site data on your own — without help from your website hosting service.
Below are step-by-step instructions for clearing cache in WordPress from five of the most popular caching plugins.
- Clear WordPress Cache With WP Super Cache Plugin
WP Super Cache is one of the less complex plugins
which means you’ll have less control over which cached data can be cleared All the same, it’s straightforward to execute!
Click settings > WP Super Cache on the menu bar to the left of the screen. Once you’re in the WP Super Cache settings, there are three spots you can delete your cache: the Easy tab, the Contents tab, or the Admin toolbar.
Click the Delete Cache button
Your saved HTML pages will be cleared.
More Tools to Delete Cache Files
How to Clear Cache When You Have a CDN
A content delivery network (CDN) provides WordPress websites with an additional level of caching. Basically, a CDN sends a cached copy of your website from one of its far-flung data centers to nearby website visitors. So, not only do you benefit from delivering cached content quickly to visitors, you shorten the physical gap between the server and them. (Which makes your loading speeds incredibly fast!)
To clear the cache on your CDN, you will have to log into your third-party CDN platform to do so. Check their FAQs for information on clearing cache for your WordPress site’s CDN.
How to Clear Cache on Your Reverse Proxy
An HTTP reverse proxy like Varnish or Nginx is another caching you may want to purge.
If enabled, you should install the Proxy Cache Purge plugin. There are a few reasons for this:
- First, if you want to prevent users on the front end of the site from seeing updates you’re making to the website, you can do so in Settings by putting it into Development mode:
- This ensures they only see the cached content (pre-update) while you work on the site.
You can also use this plugin if you want to know if caching is working properly:
- After you run the test, it will tell you if something like a plugin or theme creates a conflict and prevents your website from clearing cache properly.
How to Clear Cache on Your WordPress Firewall
A WordPress firewall is technically a reverse proxy because it reviews and filters traffic before reaching your website. One major difference, though is the proxy is meant for website performance enhancements, and the firewall is meant for security.
Not all tools available to implement a firewall allow you to clear the WordPress cache. However, Sucuri Security and Cloud flare are two examples of WordPress firewall plugins that enable cache clearing.
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