Have you ever made changes to a post on the back-end of your WordPress site, but those changes don’t show up on the front-end? When this occurs, it’s likely due to caching.
There are many benefits to caching, such as reducing page load time, which leads to better SEO results and an improved user experience. However, cached files can complicate website updates by displaying outdated static content.
Let’s look at caching in greater depth, including at some of the best current caching plugins for WordPress users.
How caching works
Every time you visit a website, your browser downloads static content such as HTML, Javascript, CSS and images. This process occurs in the background, creating a digital footprint of your online history. The data is then stored as cached files in your local storage. So, when you visit the same website again, it will load much faster because you have already saved parts of the content on your device.
In other words, your browser makes fewer requests to the server and you don’t have to download the entire content of the website again. This efficiency is akin to remembering directions to a familiar destination rather than consulting a map each time you travel there. This is why caching plays an important role in improving site performance.
Another term you should know is site cache. A site cache works in the same way and stores the same types of content as a browser cache. However, site caching is a concept of caching on the client side. This distinction means that the site cache is fully managed and controlled by the end user. The browser cache, on the other hand, is stored on your computer via the browser and controlled by the browser.
Last but not least, server caches should also be mentioned, as they form the backbone of efficient web architecture across the entire internet. Server caches store content, code, queries or similar data on servers and are controlled by the server and not by a browser or user. When implemented well, these caching mechanisms—browser, site, and server—create a more efficient experience.
Why you should delete cached files
So, if the website cache is doing such a good job, why do we need to delete it at all? There are some reasons why you may need to clear your website cache:
- Cached content gets in the way of your website updating new posts or changes you’ve made.
- Cached pages can increase memory size, causing your website to load slower than usual (in some circumstances).
- Outdated cached files can contain security vulnerabilities that have since been fixed.
- Corrupted cache files will cause rendering issues, which can result in features on your pages not working properly.
- Clearing your cache is often the first recommended step for troubleshooting issues as it ensures that outdated stored content won’t cause an issue.
Now that we know how caching works, and why you should do it in certain circumstances, let’s look at how you can clear your cache.
1, Delete cache manually in cPanel
Most hosting providers provide their users with a control panel that works like a dashboard, with cPanel being the most popular. cPanel works like an interface for managing websites, domains, web files, backups and much more.
The cPanel allows you to delete cached files without any hassle. All you need to do is navigate to the file explorer in the cPanel interface and locate the ‘wp-content/cache’ folder. The entire website cache is stored in the ‘cache’ folder. You can therefore simply empty this folder and all cached files will be deleted.
2, Deleting the cache with WP Rocket plugin
If you don’t want to use File Manager, the easiest way to clear your cache is by using a plugin. WP Rocket is the plugin we’re using for this example as it’s most popular, but there’s a similar process for each:
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard
- Look for the “WP Rocket” icon in the top admin toolbar
- Hover over it to reveal a dropdown menu
- Select “Clear Cache” to purge all cached files instantly
You can also access this directly through the WP Rocket dashboard, where you’ll find a prominent “Clear Cache” button. WP Rocket offers more granular control over cache clearing:
- Selective Cache Clearing: From the “Tools” tab, you can clear only specific types of cache, such as minified CSS/JS files or mobile cache
- Page-Specific Clearing: When viewing a page or post, use the admin toolbar to clear cache just for that specific page
- Scheduled Cache Clearing: Configure automatic cache clearing at set intervals under the “Advanced Rules” section
Conclusion
As we’ve learned, clearing your WordPress website’s cache is a good way to resolve issues such as a web browser being unresponsive or not displaying updates. It can help to ensure that an outdated version of your website isn’t being served to new visitors after you’ve changed something on your page.
If the file manager method listed above is too complex, you can try some cache plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, and WP Super Cache. With the help of these plugins, you can clear your cache using a simple button in your dashboard.
