Setting up a Regular Run of wp-cron.php
The wp-cron.php
file is a virtual cron job (or scheduled task) WordPress uses to automate certain operations, for example, checking for plugins or themes updates, sending email notifications, and so on. By default, WordPress runs the wp-cron.php
task every time someone visits your website. If you want WordPress operations to be performed regularly and on schedule, you need to disable the default wp-cron.php
execution.
If your website has high traffic, scheduled wp-cron.php
execution may also improve the website load time.
To disable wp-cron.php
on a particular WordPress installation:
-
Go to WordPress and choose the WordPress installation for which you want to disable the default
wp-cron.php
execution. -
Turn on “Take over wp-cron.php” on the installation card.
The default
wp-cron.php
execution is now disabled. -
By default, WP Toolkit automatically creates a replacement scheduled task. It will now run
wp-cron.php
every 30 minutes.In the following cases, you may not need a replacement task:
- You already have or planning to have your own replacement task.
- You do not need any replacement task because running
wp-cron.php
has a negative impact on your website.
To choose not to create a replacement task or delete the one already created by WP Toolkit, click the and then turn off “Create a replacement task when takeover is initiated”.
-
(Optional) You may want to run
wp-cron.php
on a different schedule. To do so, click the icon and, next to “Create a replacement task…”, click the icon. This will open a new Plesk tab with scheduled tasks. Change the default 30-minute interval, and then save changes.Note: The icon next to “Create a replacement task…” is displayed if you have the permission to manage scheduled tasks.
Note: If you removed a replacement task by mistake, you can always recreate it. To do so, click the icon, turn off, and then turn back on “Create a replacement task when takeover is initiated”.
The Plesk administrator can disable wp-cron.php
on all new WordPress installations.
Prior wp-cron.php Configurations
You may have already disabled wp-cron.php
without WP Toolkit by using the following ways:
- Editing the
wp-config.php
file. In this case, WP Toolkit will detect this change and adjust the “Take over wp-cron.php” toggle. - Creating your own replacement scheduled task. In this case, WP Toolkit can create another one once you turn on “Take over wp-cron.php” in the WP Toolkit interface. You can choose between the following options:
- Keep two tasks (it will not much affect the performance).
- Delete your task and keep the task created by WP Toolkit.
- Keep your task and delete the task created by WP Toolkit. To do so, turn off “Create a replacement task when takeover is initiated”.