Table of contents

What is WordPress cache and why clear it?Clear the cache using your WordPress caching pluginClear your CDN cache (if using one)Advanced troubleshooting and cache conflictsPro tips for managing WordPress cache efficientlyCheck for outdated software and malwareNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Admin → How to Clear WordPress Cache

How to clear your WordPress cache

If your WordPress site isn’t showing recent changes or updates, caching is probably the reason. Cache helps your site load faster, but when outdated files stick around too long, they can cause display problems or hide recent edits.

Let’s walk through every method to clear WordPress cache—at the plugin level, the host level, the CDN, and even your own browser.

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What is WordPress cache and why clear it?

Caching stores static versions of your site’s content so that pages load faster when users visit. WordPress uses different types of caching, and you may be using several layers without even realizing it.

Page caching saves a static copy of your full pages. Object caching stores database query results. Browser caching keeps local copies of site files in each visitor’s browser. Clearing your cache removes those old stored versions and forces WordPress and your server to generate new ones.

You should clear the cache any time you:

Change themes or update templates
Modify CSS or JavaScript
Install, update, or remove plugins
Fix site display issues that don’t match logged-in vs logged-out views

Clear the cache using your WordPress caching plugin

If you’re using a caching plugin, it likely controls most of your site’s caching behavior. Here’s how to clear it in the most common plugins.

To check which caching plugin you’re using, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in your WordPress dashboard. You’ll usually see it labeled clearly—like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache.

W3 Total Cache: Go to Performance > Dashboard. Click the “empty all caches” button to clear page, object, and database cache. You can also clear individual caches under Performance > Page Cache or Object Cache.

LiteSpeed Cache: Go to LiteSpeed Cache > Toolbox. Click “Purge All.” You can also purge specific components like CSS/JS or object cache.

WP Rocket: Go to Settings > WP Rocket. Click “Clear Cache” or “Preload Cache” for individual pages. You can also activate automatic cache clearing for new or updated content.

SiteGround Optimizer: Go to SG Optimizer > Caching. Use the buttons to clear Dynamic Cache and Memcached. Or use the admin toolbar to purge the cache after editing.

Breeze (Cloudways): Navigate to Breeze > Settings. Use the “Purge All Cache” button to clear all cached content. For selective clearing, use the advanced options tab.

Some plugins let you purge individual pages, which is useful if you’ve only changed one blog post or product. Most also offer automatic cache purging when content is updated, which keeps everything in sync.

If you’re using both a caching plugin and server-level caching, make sure they don’t conflict. Turn off plugin-level caching if your host recommends managing it themselves.

Clear your CDN cache (if using one)

A CDN (content delivery network) stores cached versions of your site on servers around the world. It improves speed for global visitors—but the cache needs clearing separately when changes are made.

If you’re unsure whether you use a CDN, check your DNS or plugin settings. Hosting dashboards often list it, especially if it’s integrated like Cloudflare on Liquid Web or SiteGround.

To clear CDN cache:

Cloudflare: Log into your Cloudflare dashboard. Go to Caching > Configuration. Click “Purge Everything” or specify individual files.
StackPath: Go to Sites > Site Settings > Cache Settings. Click “Purge Cache.”
KeyCDN: Open the dashboard, go to Zones > Zone URL, and click “Purge.”

You can also enable automatic purging in many CDNs when files are updated. Use cache-control headers or versioned file names to help CDN caches know when assets have changed.

Clear your browser cache

Sometimes, the issue is on your device. Browsers cache static files like CSS, JavaScript, and images to reduce loading time. If changes don’t show, clearing your browser cache may fix it.

Here’s how to do it in major browsers:

Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data. Select “Cached images and files.” Choose the time range and click “Clear data.”

Firefox: Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. Click “Clear Data” and select “Cached Web Content.”

Safari (macOS): Go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced. Enable “Show Develop menu in menu bar.” Then click Develop > Empty Caches.

Edge: Open Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Clear Browsing Data. Choose “Cached images and files” and click “Clear now.”

You can also test your site in incognito/private mode to temporarily bypass the browser cache without clearing it.

Advanced troubleshooting and cache conflicts

If clearing your cache doesn’t fix the issue, you may be dealing with a caching conflict. Multiple layers of cache—browser, plugin, host, CDN—can overlap and cause inconsistencies.

Common signs include:

Changes visible when logged in, but not when logged out
Edits show on one device but not another
Different behavior depending on page or post type

Try disabling your caching plugin temporarily to see if the issue resolves. If it does, you’ve found the source. You can also use the ?nocache=1 query string on a URL to load an uncached version.

Use a staging environment to safely test caching behavior without affecting your live site. If nothing works, reach out to your hosting provider or plugin support with details about your setup.

Pro tips for managing WordPress cache efficiently

Managing cache well reduces troubleshooting and speeds up your site without sacrificing updates.

Enable automatic cache purging when posts, pages, or products are updated.
Use versioned file names (like style.css?v=2) for CSS and JS so browsers know to download the latest.
Exclude sensitive pages like login, checkout, or cart from caching.
Monitor caching with tools like Query Monitor or GTmetrix to see how well it’s working.
For advanced setups, use object cache with Redis or Memcached to speed up database queries—especially for WooCommerce or membership sites.

Check for outdated software and malware

Performance can tank if you’re running outdated plugins or themes—or worse, if your site has been compromised.

Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated

Updates include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. Use a reliable backup solution before updating, and check your site afterward for any conflicts or errors.

Scan for malware or hacked scripts

Install Wordfence, MalCare, or use your host’s malware scanning tools to check for infections. Malware can hijack server resources for spam emails, crypto mining, or DDoS attacks—all of which slow down your site significantly.

Next steps for clearing your WordPress cache

Clearing your cache is one of the simplest ways to troubleshoot display or performance issues in WordPress. But knowing which layer to clear—and when—can save time and reduce headaches.

Start with the plugin you’re using, then work through your host, CDN, and browser to rule out caching problems. If in doubt, disable caching temporarily to identify the culprit.

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