In the dynamic world of the internet, speed plays a crucial role. A fast loading time can make the difference between a visitor staying on your website and one moving to a competitor. This is where caching comes into play.

Clear WordPress Cache with & without Plugin | Here's how

First – What is a cache anyway: Caching is a process used to optimize website loading times. For WordPress websites, frequently visited pages are stored in a temporary memory, called the cache. When a visitor accesses a page that is already stored in the cache, it loads faster because the data does not have to be retrieved from the database every time. This not only improves the user experience but also reduces the load on your server.

Although caching has many advantages, it can lead to problems when website content is updated. The cache might still store the old version of the page, meaning visitors cannot see the latest changes. Therefore, it is important to clear the WordPress cache regularly.

Clearing the cache ensures that your visitors always see the most current version of your website. It also allows changes you make to your design or content to be immediately visible. Furthermore, it can be helpful for troubleshooting, especially if you are facing unexplained problems on your website.

In the following, we will take a closer look at how you can clear the WordPress cache, both with and without the use of plugins, and how you can clear it manually.

The most important points at a glance

Clearing the WordPress cache is an important step to ensure a fast and smooth user experience. There are various methods to clear the cache, including using plugins like Wp Rocket*, clearing the cache without a plugin, and manually clearing the cache via FTP or the control panel.

Wp Rocket is an excellent option for users looking for a simple and user-friendly solution. It offers an easy way to clear the cache with just one click and also provides other features to improve website performance.

Clearing the cache without a plugin can offer more control, but also requires more technical knowledge. It can be done by clearing the browser cache, using the hosting provider’s Purge Manager, or manually clearing the cache via FTP.

Clear WordPress Cache – it's that easy

Clearing the WordPress cache can be done in various ways, depending on whether you are using a caching plugin or not. Here is a step-by-step guide for both methods.

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Method 1: Clear WordPress Cache with a Plugin

Many WordPress users employ caching plugins such as Wp Rocket*, W3 Total Cache, or WP Super Cache. These plugins typically offer an option to clear the WP cache. More on this further down in the article.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to „Settings“ and select the caching plugin you are using.
3. Look for an option such as „Clear Cache,“ „Delete Cache,“ or similar. This option varies depending on the plugin.
4. Click this option to clear the cache.

Method 2: Clear WordPress Cache Without a Plugin

If you are not using a caching plugin, you can also clear the cache via the WordPress dashboard.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to "Settings" and select "General".
3. Scroll down and click „Save Changes“. This step may cause WordPress to clear the cache.

Please note that this method does not always work, especially if your hosting provider uses server-side caching. In this case, you may need to contact your hosting provider to clear the cache.

Florian Ibe
^{CEO & Marketing Consultant}

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Clear WordPress Cache with a Plugin – Our Recommendation

Wp Rocket* is one of the most popular and easiest-to-use caching plugins for WordPress. It offers a variety of features to improve your website’s speed, including page caching, cache preloading, and GZIP compression. But one of the most useful features is the easy way to clear the cache.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clear the WordPress cache:

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
   Enter your credentials and click „Log In“.
2. Navigate to WP Rocket Settings.
   Hover over „Settings“ in the left menu bar and click on „WP Rocket“.
3. Clear the cache.
   On the WP Rocket Dashboard page, you will find a button labeled „Clear Cache“ at the top. Click this button to clear the cache for your entire website.
4. Confirm emptying the cache.
   After clicking „Empty Cache“, a message will appear confirming that the cache has been successfully emptied.

Probably the best WordPress Cache Plugin / Caching Plugin for maximum Page Speed (fast loading time)

It is important to note that emptying the WP Cache with WP Rocket removes all cached pages on your website. Therefore, you should only use this function if you have made significant changes to your website or are experiencing issues that could be resolved by emptying the cache.

Some alternatives can be found here:

WP Rocket Alternative - Free to Pro Versions

Next-level optimization of Page Speed (loading time):

Nitropack: Pagespeed optimization with just one click without settings in under 5 minutes?

Empty WordPress Cache without a Plugin

While using a caching plugin is the easiest method for managing the cache in WordPress, it is also possible to empty the cache without such a plugin. Here are some methods you can use:

1. Clear your browser cache: Every web browser stores temporary files to speed up website loading. You can clear your browser’s cache by going to your browser settings and selecting „Clear browsing data“ or „Clear cache.“
2. Use your hosting provider’s Purge Manager: Many hosting providers offer an option to clear the cache directly in their dashboard. For example, Hostinger offers a „Purge Manager“ in its hPanel. Simply navigate to the advanced menu and click on „Purge Cache.“
3. Clear the cache manually via FTP: You can clear the cache manually by accessing your WordPress files via FTP. Go to the wp-content folder and open the cache folder. Delete everything from this folder.

Advantages of this method:

• You have full control over the cache and can ensure that all old data is deleted.
• You do not need to install an additional plugin, which can reduce the load on your website.

Disadvantages of this method:

• It can be more complicated and require more technical knowledge than using a plugin.
• There is a risk that you might accidentally delete important files if you manually clear the cache via FTP.

If you have any questions about clearing the WordPress cache, you can always contact us as your WordPress agency.

Manually Clear WordPress Cache – Not Recommended for Inexperienced Users

Manually clearing the WordPress cache can be done via FTP or the control panel. Here are the steps:

Via FTP:

1. Log in to your FTP client. (e.g. FileZilla, Cyberduck etc.)
2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation.
3. Open the 'wp-content' folder.
4. Here you will find a folder named 'cache'. Open this folder.
5. Delete all files and subfolders within the ‚cache‘ folder.

Via the Control Panel:

1. Log in to your hosting control panel. (e.g. cPanel, Plesk etc.)
2. Go to the File Manager.
3. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation.
4. Open the 'wp-content' folder.
5. Here you will find a folder named 'cache'. Open this folder.
6. Delete all files and subfolders within the ‚cache‘ folder.

Security notes and best practices for manually clearing the WordPress cache:

• Back up your website: Before making any changes, you should always create a full backup of your website. This ensures that you can revert to the previous version in case of an error or problem.
• Be careful when deleting files: Make sure you only delete files in the ‚cache‘ folder. Deleting other files can lead to serious problems on your website.
• Check your website after clearing the cache: After clearing the cache, you should check your website to ensure everything is working correctly. If you notice any problems, restore the backup.

Conclusion & Final Tips

Recommendations

• For beginners and less tech-savvy users, we recommend using a plugin like WP Rocket. It is easy to use and requires no technical knowledge.
• For advanced users, manually clearing the cache can be a good option. It offers more control but also requires more technical knowledge and care.
• Regardless of the method you choose, you should always create a backup of your website before clearing the cache. This gives you the option to revert to the previous version if something goes wrong.
• Check your website after clearing the cache to ensure everything is working correctly.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

1. What is the WordPress cache?

The WordPress cache is an important tool for optimizing the speed of your website. By storing temporary data, WordPress can load pages faster, leading to a better user experience. Of course, there are also situations where you might want to clear the cache manually, for example, if you have made changes to your website and want to ensure that visitors see the latest version. In this case, you can easily clear the WordPress cache via your website’s settings. The cache clears automatically after a certain time, but manual clearing can be useful if you want to see immediate changes.

2. Why should I clear the WordPress cache?

Clearing the WordPress cache is an important step to improve your website’s performance and eliminate problems that can arise from outdated cache data. If you do not clear your cache regularly, it can cause your website to slow down and visitors not to receive current information. By clearing the WP cache, you ensure that the latest data is delivered to your visitors and that you keep your website as fast and reliable as possible. If you want to improve your page speed and user experience, you should plan a regular cache clearing process for your WordPress website.

3. How often should I clear the WordPress cache?

The WordPress cache is an important aspect of your website that makes your site faster and more efficient. However, how often you should clear the cache depends on how often you make updates to your website. If you regularly publish new content or make changes to your website, you should clear the cache more often to ensure that your visitors see the latest version of your site. On the other hand, if your website is rarely updated, it may not be as important to clear the cache as often. Regardless of how often you decide to clear your WordPress cache, make sure you do it to ensure the high performance of your website.

4. Can clearing the WordPress cache damage my website?

Clearing the WordPress cache is a common measure to improve your website’s performance. However, if you are not careful, it can also lead to undesirable effects. When manually clearing the cache, there is always a risk that you accidentally delete important files and thus impair the functionality of your website. For this reason, it is recommended to create a backup copy of your website before clearing the cache. However, if you choose the right approach, clearing the cache should not cause any damage and lead to effective optimization of your website.

5. Is there a way to automatically clear the WordPress cache?

There are various plugins that allow you to automatically clear the WordPress cache. This improves website performance and reduces loading time. Some of these plugins also offer the option to automatically clear the cache at specific times or after certain events, such as publishing a new post. A practical example of such a plugin is Wp Rocket*, which offers an easy-to-use interface and many useful functions. With its help, you can clear the WordPress cache with just a few clicks and thus improve the user experience on the website.