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The WordPress cache has a significant impact on the loading speed of your website. If it is not emptied regularly, this can lead to outdated content, display errors or slower loading times. In this guide, you will learn how to clear the cache correctly and thus speed up your WordPress site.
Key points
- Cache saves website data to shorten loading times
- Empty cache Fixes display and functional problems
- Plugins offer simple methods for clearing the cache
- Hosting-Providers support server-side cache management
- Browser cache can make content obsolete locally
What is the WordPress cache?
The cache is a temporary memory that temporarily stores static content on your website such as HTML, CSS and images. This reduces the loading time as the browser does not have to request the content each time the page is called up. Especially with recurring visits, effective caching plays an important role for the Performance.
But sometimes you need to clear the cache: for example, after updating your theme or plugin. Even if a page is not displayed correctly, clearing the cache helps immediately in many cases. If you forget this step, your visitors may see outdated content instead of up-to-date information.
Clear cache with the best plugins
The most practical method for emptying the WordPress cache is to use a plugin. Three tools in particular have proven their worth:
1st WP Rocket
WP Rocket is one of the most popular premium plugins for caching. In addition to fast cache deletion, it also offers many other performance functions. With a click in the admin bar or under Settings the cache can be deleted immediately. You can also clear the cache of individual pages.
2nd WP Super Cache
This free plugin works in a similarly simple way. You can empty the page or total cache directly via the admin bar or in the plugin area. Practical for initial performance optimizations.
3. w3 total cache
W3 Total Cache offers numerous setting options, especially for experienced users. Cache clearing works via the "Performance" menu item. Here you can also page-based Reset individual caching.
4 WP Optimize
In addition to cache functionality, this plugin also offers options for database optimization and image compression. You can delete global or page-related cache via the admin bar. If you want to delete your want to optimize your WordPress siteWP Optimize is a solid tool.
Delete WordPress cache without plugin
If you want to do without plugins, there are alternative ways. Many hosters now offer server-side cache management directly in the customer area.
Server-side deletion via the hosting panel
For example, you can log in to a provider such as webhoster.de, call up the corresponding functions under "Performance" or "Cache Management" and clear the cache. The steps may vary slightly depending on the hosting provider, but are usually intuitive.
Integrated WordPress cache
WordPress uses the so-called WP_Object_Cache by default. This caches data exclusively for a single request. However, this mechanism is not more relevant for performance tuning because no Permanent temporary storage takes place.
Consider browser cache
Not every display error is due to the WordPress cache. In many cases, it is the local browser cache that is displaying outdated images or scripts. As an admin, you should remove your browser cache before debugging. In Chrome, you can do this via "Delete browser data" under "More tools".
Don't forget: Your visitors often still see content from their browser cache, even if you have customized your site. Time-controlled invalidation via a plugin or CDN can be useful here.
Differences between cache levels
There are several cache levels that can influence the process. It is therefore important to know where content is stored. This table provides you with the necessary overview:
| Cache type | Place | Deletion method |
|---|---|---|
| Browser cache | Local browser | Manually by user |
| Plugin cache | WordPress plugin | Admin area / Plugin settings |
| Server cache | Web hosting provider | Hosting panel |
| CDN cache | content delivery network | CDN settings |
Typical errors when clearing the cache
Errors often do not stop after clearing the cache. You should therefore go through possible causes and check them specifically.
- Contents do not change: Empty all other cache levels such as server or CDN
- Page works slowerCache must first rebuild itself
- No effect after plugin command: Write permissions may be missing or the cache is external
Automate WP Rocket - save time and effort
I recommend that you configure automatic cache deletions if you regularly publish content. WP Rocket allows you to do this under "Advanced rules". There you can set up that the corresponding cache is also automatically deleted when a page is updated.
Alternatively, you can also use cronjobs or webhooks. This is particularly suitable for highly frequented pages or dynamic content, such as product feeds or event calendars.
Optimizing performance through systematic measures
Deleting the cache is important, but not a panacea. You can significantly speed up your website by taking additional measures. Image optimization, minimizing CSS and JavaScript or using a CDN are effective additional steps. In the guide LiteSpeed Cache 7.0 Update you will find further practical tips.
Technical SEO know-how helps you to set the right priorities. That's why it's worth taking a look at Tools for WordPress statistics and their effects on your page load times.
Cache strategies for different page types
Depending on the purpose of your WordPress site, a different approach to caching may be worthwhile. A pure blog site with few interactive elements benefits differently from caching than an online store where products are frequently updated. Below you will find some recommendations for different scenarios:
- Blogs and magazines: If you regularly publish new posts, simply clearing the cache directly after publication periods is often sufficient. Plugins offer automatic cache validation so that you rarely have to intervene manually.
- Online stores (WooCommerce): A special balance must be struck here, as shopping pages sometimes contain dynamic content such as shopping cart and customer areas. Use a plugin that harmonizes specifically with WooCommerce and enables individual rules for product and shopping cart pages. Timely cache updates are often crucial to ensure that customers always see the correct prices and stock levels.
- Company websites: As a rule, the content remains relatively static. It is advisable to use caching more aggressively here in order to keep page load times permanently low. Manual emptying can be carried out after major changes or relaunches.
- Member areas and membership websites: If users view individual content or special dashboards, there should be hardly any caching when they log in, as the content changes dynamically according to role and authorization. Selective cache invalidation for member areas is advisable, while static areas such as landing pages can be heavily cached without hesitation.
Customized strategies prevent you from having to intervene manually too often and at the same time ensure that users always see up-to-date information and offers. For stores or member portals in particular, an incorrectly configured cache can lead to significant display or functional problems.
Fault diagnosis and monitoring-So you stay on the ball
Further errors may appear after the cache deletion or your visitors may report problems that you did not recognize at first glance. Regular monitoring is therefore worthwhile. Tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix or Pingdom show you whether the loading times have actually improved after deleting the cache. You can also identify possible bottlenecks on the server, in plugins or in the code.
If you notice that your site is loading slowly despite intensive cache usage and up-to-date content, you can proceed as follows:
- Check hosting capacity: Does your tariff still meet the requirements, or does it make sense to upgrade? Sometimes you come up against technical limits with rapidly growing projects.
- Identify resource guzzlers: It is often too many or poorly programmed plugins that slow down the system. A performance plugin can provide you with evaluation tools to track down any problem areas.
- Evaluate protocols: You can use your server's error log or the WordPress debug log to see whether certain PHP errors or script conflicts are reducing performance.
- Revise CDN settings: If you use a CDN, check that the content delivery nodes are properly synchronized and do not deliver outdated data.
While some problems can be localized quickly, troubleshooting complex page structures can take a while. For larger WooCommerce stores in particular, you should carry out test orders after every crucial change or let your users test in a staging environment before you go live with new caching rules.
Common misunderstandings about caching
Since caching appears at first glance to be a simple acceleration mechanism, there are always ambiguities and myths:
- "I just keep clearing the cache, then everything is fine."
Continuous deletion can even impair performance because the system has to completely re-render again and again. A well-adjusted cache strategy is better than constant deletion. - "Caching is enough, I don't need any other optimizations."
Without optimization of images, database and code, a lot of potential remains unused. Caching is just one component in the overall performance optimization package. - "As an admin, I am not interested in the browser cache."
Yes, because this cache can cause display errors. If you test your own site, you should clear the browser cache from time to time or surf in incognito mode.
If you recognize and avoid these misunderstandings, you can handle caching more efficiently and are less likely to find yourself in a situation where visitors see outdated or incorrect content.
What ultimately matters
The WordPress cache is a powerful tool that can help your website achieve speed and stability - as long as it is managed correctly. The combination of automatic updates, targeted clearing and effective plugin usage ensures a smooth visitor experience in the long term.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced admin: If you regularly check the cache and work with supplementary techniques such as hosting optimization and CDN, you will ensure the Competitiveness your website securely.
