What is a WordPress cache and how do I clear it?

This article will explain how to clear the cache in WordPress. What is a WordPress cache?

Every WordPress plan purchased with 123 Reg includes a built-in cache, known as the Content Delivery Network, which will improve page loading times for your visitors.

Essentially, when someone visits your website, what typically happens is that their browser will communicate with your web server and begin making requests to your database to generate your pages. With a cache, however, a ‘snapshot’ of your site will be store as a static HTML file, which will be sent to your visitor’s browser instead, so that they can load your site in a quicker fashion.

However, you may need to flush, purge or clear your website cache in WordPress if you have performed any of the following actions:

  • You have made manual changes to your database or WordPress site files outside of the admin controls (e.g. via SFTP or through phpMyAdmin).
  • You have made changes to your site but you don’t see those changes on the Internet.
  • You have manually migrated your site instead of using the built-in migration tool.

What does purging or clearing your cache mean? Simply put, it will delete any outdated HTML files and compile a new ‘snapshot’ of your updated content, so your visitors only receive the latest, up-to-date version of your site.

How do I clear my WordPress cache?

To clear your site cache in WordPress, simply follow the instructions below:

Step 1 of 3

Start by accessing your WordPress dashboard.

 

Step 2 of 3

From there, select Managed WordPress at the top of the page and then click Flush Cache.Select Flush Cache

 

Step 3 of 3

After a few moments, your WordPress cache will have been cleared.