When urgent changes on your WordPress site aren’t showing up, whether it’s updating WooCommerce pricing during a sale or correcting content during peak traffic, the first thing you should try is clearing the cache. A stubborn cache can mean updates don’t show up when they should, which can frustrate visitors and hurt your revenue.
Caching is needed for performance, but having an effective and reliable way to clear it when things go wrong is even more important. Plugin-based cache clearing can be unreliable, especially in moments when plugins themselves might be causing the issue.
In those cases, manual methods like FTP access and SSH commands can step in to solve the problem directly at the server level. These approaches offer a reliable solution, though they do require some comfort with server management.
For those who want to avoid this hassle altogether, managed hosts for WordPress like BigScoots provide automated solutions for clearing cache, making the process simpler and more reliable than doing it yourself.
Why plugin-based cache clearing can fail
Plugin-based cache clearing is often the go-to, but it can fail for a number of reasons.
One common issue is file permission conflicts. In WordPress, the cache system is typically managed by the www-data user, and if that user doesn’t have the correct permissions to modify or delete cache files, the plugin won’t be able to clear the cache.
Server resource limitations are another common culprit. When too many cache files need to be managed at once, especially on networked file systems, it can slow down the process or even cause failures. This is a particular challenge for file-based caching plugins like WP Super Cache, which can struggle to handle large amounts of data efficiently, leading to performance holdups.
Database-related issues add another layer of complexity. If multiple caching mechanisms are running at once (like hosting provider-level caching alongside plugin caching), conflicts can crop up, leading to inconsistent rendering of content on your site.
Along with this, plugins may break during WordPress updates, triggering frustrating issues like blank login screens or 500 internal server errors.
Another issue is the complexity of server configurations. Many cache plugins are designed to work with specific web server settings, which may not always align with your hosting setup. For example, NGINX servers can run into difficulties with caching configurations that are typically suited for Apache, leading to potential issues with cache clearing.
Less obvious causes include:
- Mixed protocol issues (HTTP vs. HTTPS), creating separate cache versions.
- Plugin interdependencies, leading to cache regeneration failures.
- Browser-level caching is interfering with server-side cache clearing.
- Disk space limitations are preventing new cache files from being created.
These are just a few of the reasons why plugin-based cache clearing might fail, and why sometimes server-level intervention is necessary.
Manual methods to clear WordPress cache without plugins
For the more advanced among us who want full control over cache clearing, server-level methods are the most thorough option. They bypass the WordPress interface and target cache files directly at their source, providing a reliable and precise alternative when plugins fail or cause issues.
Using FTP to clear stubborn cache files
If you don’t want to use plugins, FTP provides the best way to clear your WordPress cache. Here’s how you can do it:
- Use an FTP client like FileZilla to access your WordPress site’s files.
- Go to the /wp-content/ directory, and look for the cache folder. This folder holds the cached files that need to be cleared.
- Open the cache folder and delete the files inside it.
⚠️ Important: Do not delete the cache folder itself, just the files within it.
Other locations to target when clearing cache via FTP include:
- Object cache: /wp-content/object-cache.php and associated data.
- Advanced cache: /wp-content/advanced-cache.php.
- Theme cache: /wp-content/themes/your-theme/cache/ (this might vary depending on your theme).
This method gives you control over what gets cleared, meaning only the cache files are affected.
Server-level cache clearing via SSH
If you’ve got SSH (Secure Shell) access on your hosting environment, you can take cache clearing to the next level by executing server-level commands. Here are some commands to use:
Clear WordPress cache
Reset object cache
Clear PHP opcache
Nginx FastCGI cache
Server-wide temp files
These commands clear the cache at the server level. However, using SSH requires comfort with command-line tools and server management, so make sure you understand the implications before executing any commands
BigScoots’ automated cache management and optimization system
At BigScoots, we’ve always believed that hosting is about so much more than uptime and speed! It’s about providing a service that works and feels personal.
We’ve taken this philosophy to heart by integrating deeply with Cloudflare’s edge computing network, making sure our customers get the fastest, most reliable service possible.
We’re proud to say that BigScoots is one of the best hosts for Cloudflare integration. We’re not just reselling a CDN service; we host in the same data center as Cloudflare’s primary servers. Our direct fiber-optic connection at 350 E. Cermak in Chicago means that we can offer speeds and performance that are hard to beat. This direct connection gives our clients a serious advantage when it comes to speed and security.
Our infrastructure works directly with Cloudflare’s API at the server level, so you don’t need to worry about managing cache through WordPress plugins or third-party tools. It’s all handled at the network level, giving you more reliable and faster results.
With edge-first caching, we’re moving beyond the limitations of traditional server-side caching:
- Faster TTFB (Time to First Byte): With content served from over 320 global data centers, Cloudflare reduces the time it takes for a user to see content, no matter where they are in the world.
- Dynamic page caching: We’ve partnered with Cloudflare to offer dynamic caching that can be fully customized. You have control over what gets cached and when it expires.
- Load balancing across edge nodes: This ensures that traffic is spread out evenly, so your origin server never gets overloaded. It’s a more efficient way to handle high volumes of traffic, especially during spikes.
- Enterprise-grade DDoS protection: Our Cloudflare integration also protects against attacks, keeping your site safe and secure without sacrificing performance.
Edge-first caching is the next evolution in content delivery. As [?] puts it: “While manual methods like FTP or SSH-based cache clearing still have their place, they’re essentially fighting against the way modern CDNs like Cloudflare deliver content. Edge-first architecture is fundamentally different. It’s about caching at the network edge, where it matters most, and not on the server. This gives you optimal speed and scalability, and leaves outdated, bolt-on caching solutions behind.”
Saumya Majumder, Lead Software Developer Engineer at BigScoots
Every plan we offer is powered by Cloudflare:
- Our Managed Hosting for WordPress plans come with base-level Cloudflare integration. You’ll get basic caching and cache-control header management, which is great for most sites.
- For our Enterprise Hosting for WordPress, Mediavine Hosting, and customers on the Performance and Security packages, you get Cloudflare Enterprise. This comes with custom caching rules, advanced load balancing, and priority routing through Argo Smart Routing to make sure your site is always running as fast as possible.
One of the most powerful features of BigScoots is how easy we’ve made cache management. Through the WPO Client Portal, our clients can clear their cache with just one click. This is possible because our server-level integration directly bypasses WordPress and eliminates the need for plugins. It’s faster, easier, and more reliable. No more worrying about plugins or manual methods – everything is automated for you.
Granular cache clearing options with the BigScoots Cache Plugin
The BigScoots Cache Plugin integrates directly with Cloudflare’s API, offering precise control over cache management. Unlike traditional caching plugins, it’s a management interface built on BigScoots’ native Cloudflare integration.
Available to customers with Cloudflare Enterprise, the plugin offers several cache-clearing and management options:
- Direct API integration: Purge cache instantly across all Cloudflare edge nodes.
- Pattern-based cache clearing: Use Cloudflare’s cache-tag system for targeted cache purging.
- Selective cache management: Clear cache based on specific URL patterns.
- Automated cache rules: Set rules based on content type or modification timestamps.
Upgrade to managed hosting for WordPress with instant cache control
With BigScoots’ edge-first caching architecture, managing cache has never been easier or more efficient.
Our direct integration with Cloudflare means that the cache is cleared instantly at the edge, rather than relying on slower server-level solutions. This approach reduces server load and accelerates global response times, meaning your users get the fastest experience possible, no matter where they are.
BigScoots’ infrastructure is designed to provide advanced control over cache, thanks to granular cache management available through the WPO Client Portal. With just one click, you can purge cache across all edge nodes without needing to dive into SSH or FTP, saving you time and effort.
Unlike the manual cache clearing methods we’ve covered, our managed caching solution is hands-off, reliable, and fully automated, giving you more time to focus on your business.
For those with mission-critical sites, our Enterprise Hosting for WordPress plans come with Cloudflare Enterprise, which offers custom caching rules, advanced load balancing, and priority routing for unbeatable performance.
Don’t let cache management slow you down. Upgrade to BigScoots’ Managed Hosting for WordPress today and experience the power of edge-first caching with faster, simpler, and fully automated cache control.
