Sometimes, changes you make to your WordPress site don’t show up right away. This is often due to outdated cache files. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clear your WordPress cache to ensure your updates are visible. We’ll cover clearing the browser cache, WordPress caching plugins, and server cache. But first, let’s explain what cache is and how it works.
What Is Cache, and How Does It Work?
Cache refers to stored copies of website elements like pages, images, and scripts that help your site load faster when visited again. There are several types of cache:
- Browser cache stores site files locally on your device.
- Site cache or page cache stores files from your website.
- Server cache stores site data on your hosting server or CDN (Content Delivery Network).
Whenever you visit a website, your browser downloads parts of the site and saves them to your cache. On your next visit, the site loads faster since it pulls those saved files. However, outdated cache can prevent you from seeing changes you’ve made to your website. Clearing the cache allows you to view updates in real-time.
How to Clear Your WordPress Cache
1. Clear Your Browser Cache
The first step is to clear your browser’s cache. This removes stored website files and forces your browser to load the latest version of your site. Check out this guide on clearing browser cache.
2. Clear WordPress Plugin Cache
If you’re using a caching plugin for WordPress, you’ll need to clear its cache. Popular plugins like WP Rocket, WP Super Cache, and W3 Total Cache offer easy ways to do this.
Clear Cache with WP Rocket
- Go to Settings > WP Rocket > Dashboard.
- Click the Clear Cache button. This will delete all cached files.
Clear Cache with WP Super Cache
- Go to Settings > WP Super Cache.
- Click the Delete Cache button to remove all cached content.
Clear Cache with W3 Total Cache
- Go to Performance > Dashboard.
- Click Empty All Caches to delete all cached files.
3. Clear Server Cache
Some web hosts offer server-side caching. The ability to clear this cache varies depending on your host. Here’s how to clear cache for SiteGround users:
Clear Cache in the Hosting Dashboard
- Log in to your hosting dashboard.
- Go to Speed > Caching under site tools.
- In the Dynamic Cache tab, click the menu next to your domain and select Flush Cache.
Clear Cache in WordPress Using SG Optimizer
- Install the SG Optimizer plugin.
- Go to Super Cacher Settings.
- Click Purge Cache under Dynamic Caching.