We all have heard of cache accumulation, cache clearing, and many such cache-related terms. But many among us are still unaware of the role of cache and what it is actually. A cache is the stored memory of devices like a laptop, system, or mobile phone. It is a temporary storage location that helps various websites and applications to load faster and immediately browse the last viewed content. Any form of the device has a cache that helps the device to function at a quicker pace.
How does a WordPress Cache work?
When a user visits your WordPress site a request is sent to the server for the display of the page. The server immediately has a look at the required data to be presented. This data is sent to the user’s browser in the form of an HTML file. The browser reads this file, converts it, and displays it to the user in the form of a web page.
In such a situation when a user logs out of the previous page and then logs in it again after some time the cache helps to display that page immediately with the help of the stored HTML file. This helps a user to browse that page quickly and avoid the procedure of sending a request, conversion of data into an HTML file, and sending it to the user’s browser. This helps to avoid following the complete procedure and loading a web page quickly.
Forms of WordPress Caching
- Client-Side Caching
This cache is stored in the user’s browser page for easy and quick opening of a web page. The HTML files of these pages help in the quick loading of a web page. This form of caching is quicker.
- Server-Side Caching
The procedures followed in both the forms are the same but on the server-side, the cache of multiple websites with multiple databases are dealt with together. To increase efficiency the static pages are stored in the website server’s RAM.
Steps to Clear WordPress Cache
A new post or update might not gel up quickly with the caching system. It might still show a user the old cached versions. This confusion with the updates and cache system might result in the breaking of a site. Let us have a look at some of the steps to be followed to clear a cache:
- Clear Browser Cache
The caching system of a browser doesn’t get updated with updates on the site. It might show up with the older cached versions. Let us have a look at steps to clean cache from certain browsers:
- Google Chrome
To clean cache from google chrome, follow the chain mentioned below:
Settings > More Tools > Clear Browsing Data
- Firefox
To clean cache from Firefox, follow the chain mentioned below:
Menu Button > Preferences > Privacy and Security > Navigate to Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data > Select cached data to clear
- Safari
To clean cache from Safari, follow the chain mentioned below:
Safari Menu > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Site Data > Remove All
- Clear Server Cache
There are times when the web hosting server is filled up with older cached versions of site files. Various WordPress hosts have different methods to clean the cache of their site. It is advised to get in touch with your WordPress host to clear your server cache.
- Clear WordPress Website Cache
Many people prefer to use a caching plugin to speed up their WordPress-powered website. The plugin helps visitors to provide a cached version of your website for quicker assessment of the site. There are times when outdated cache content can build up.
To clear cache with WP super cache plugin from WordPress dashboard follow the steps mentioned below:
WP Admin Dashboard > WP Super Cache > WP Super Cache Settings Page > Delete Cache
To clear WP cache with WP super cache plugin from WordPress dashboard follow the steps mentioned below:
WP Admin Dashboard > WP Super Cache > WP Super Cache Settings Page > Delete Cache
Conclusion
It is important to clear cache manually on regular basis. This helps one to stay updated. Try to clear your WordPress cache with the help of a professional if you are unaware of the right procedure. Or else one might end breaking up their website. Therefore, a professional helps resolves such forms of issues without any hassle.