WordPress Changes Not Showing? – Fix it with These Quick Methods

Are you facing issues with WordPress changes not showing on your site? You’re not alone—this is a common frustration for many WordPress users. In most cases, it’s due to caching, whether it’s in your browser, your site’s cache, or your content delivery network (CDN).

In this guide, we’ll explore why this happens and how caching affects your site’s updates. We’ll also walk you through some quick troubleshooting steps suggested by our WordPress experts. Let’s dive in!

Why are the WordPress Changes Not Showing?

There are several reasons why your WordPress changes might not be showing up, and caching is one of the most common culprits. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of caching that can cause this issue:

• Caching Plugin: WordPress caching plugins like W3 Total Cache and WP Super Cache store files, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, on your server to improve website performance. However, if you don’t clear cache files after making changes, the updated content won’t be displayed.
• Browser Cache: When you visit a website, your web browser stores a copy of its files in its cache to improve loading times for subsequent visits. This can also prevent your WordPress changes from showing up if your browser is using the cached version of the page.
• CDN Cache: If you’re using a content delivery network (CDN), it may also be caching static files from your WordPress site. Similar to a caching plugin, the CDN’s cache needs to be purged to reflect the latest changes.
• Server Cache: In some cases, web hosting providers may implement server-level caching, which can also cause changes not to show up. You’ll need to contact your hosting provider to clear the server-side cache.
• Plugin or Theme Cache: Some WordPress plugins and themes have their own caching mechanisms, which can also interfere with your changes. Check the documentation for your theme or plugins to see if they have specific cache-clearing instructions.

To identify the most accurate reason for WordPress changes not showing, you can contact a WordPress website development company. They will analyze your website and work out the reason for this issue. That way, you can take the appropriate actions to fix them.

How to Fix the WordPress Changes Not Showing?

From clearing caches to disabling caching plugins and refreshing browser and CDN caches, there are several fixes based on the cause identified in the last section. Let’s dive in and get your website back to its updated state.

Hard Refresh Your Browser

A hard refresh clears your browser’s cache for the current page, forcing it to load the latest version from the server. This is a quick way to ensure your browser isn’t loading an outdated version of your site.

Steps for a Hard Refresh:

Windows/Linux (Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge):

• Press Ctrl + F5 while on the page.

Mac (Google Chrome, Firefox):

• Hold down Command + Shift + R.

Safari:

• Press Command + Option + R.

If the changes appear after a hard refresh, the issue was likely with your browser cache.

Clear Your WordPress Cache

WordPress caching plugins store a static version of your pages to improve loading speed. However, they may need to be cleared after updates to ensure that recent changes are visible.

Clearing Cache with a Plugin:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard.
• Navigate to the plugin settings page (e.g., W3 Total Cache, and WP Super Cache).
• Look for an option like ‘Clear Cache’, ‘Purge All’, or ‘Delete Cache’ and click it.
• Refresh your site to check if the changes appear.

Clearing Cache Without a Plugin:

• Access your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).
• Locate the Caching option, typically under tools like SiteGround Optimizer or Hostinger Cache Manager.
• Clear the cache from the available settings.
• Check your site again for updates.

Clear Your CDN Cache

If you’re using a Content Delivery Network (CDN), it may have cached an older version of your site. Clearing the CDN cache ensures that the latest version of your site is delivered globally.

Steps to Clear CDN Cache:

• Log in to your CDN provider’s dashboard.
• Go to the Caching or Cache Management section.
• Select the option to Purge Everything or Clear Cache.
• Wait for the cache to clear (usually a few seconds to a minute).
• Reload your site to see the updated changes.

Check for Recent WordPress Updates

Updating WordPress is crucial for maintaining the security and functionality of your website. If you’re experiencing any issues with changes not appearing on your WordPress site, it could be due to outdated or incomplete updates. To check for recent WordPress updates, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to the “Updates” section.

Step 2: Click on the “Check Again” button to ensure you have the latest updated information.

Step 3: If there are any available updates, click on the “Update Now” button. Wait for the update process to finish.

Step 4: After the WordPress update is complete, clear your browser cache and refresh your website.

Check if the changes you made are now visible. Regularly check for and install WordPress updates to ensure the smooth operation and security of your website.

Check for Server Issues

Another frequently seen reason for WordPress changes not showing is server issues. Follow these steps to check for any server-related problems:

Step 1: Verify the status of your server and ensure it  is functioning properly. Also look for any errors or issues in the server logs that may be causing your changes not to display.

Step 2: To  test other websites visit them on the same server to see if they are also experiencing any display problems. If they are, it could indicate a larger issue with the server.

Step 3: If you have ruled out other possible causes, contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can investigate further and help resolve any server-related issues.

These steps should solve your server-related issues. But if they don’t, move to other methods or contact dedicated WordPress developers.

Check for Theme or Plugin Conflicts

At a time, there are often several plugins and a theme active on a WordPress website. So there may be conflicts between them. So follow these steps to address this issue.

Step 1: Disable all plugins temporarily on your WordPress site.

Step 2: Change your theme to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

Step 3: After disabling plugins and switching themes, check if your changes are now visible.

Step 4: If the changes appear, enable plugins one by one to identify the conflicting ones. And for the themes revert back to the one you were already using.

Step 5: Once you identify the plugin with compatibility issues, either update it, seek support from the developer, or find an alternative solution.

By checking for conflicts with themes or plugins, you can troubleshoot and resolve any issues preventing your WordPress changes from being displayed.

Contact Your Hosting Provider

WordPress is a self-hosted CMS. So, when creating a website, you need to choose a WordPress hosting provider. They can help you with different aspects of the website, including security, performance, and more. To effectively address the WordPress changes issues with a hosting provider, follow these steps:

Step 1: Before reaching out to your hosting provider, make sure that the problem is not caused by caching or other factors.

Step 2: Collect details about the issue, such as error messages or specific changes that are not showing.

Step 3: Contact your hosting provider’s technical support team through their preferred communication channels, such as phone, live chat, or email. Clearly explain the issue you are facing and provide all the relevant information you gathered.

Step 4: Follow any troubleshooting steps or recommendations provided by the support team. Once the issue is resolved or if you need further assistance, provide feedback to the hosting provider. Plus keep a record of the solution provided by the hosting provider for future reference.

By following these steps and contacting your hosting provider, you can ensure that any issues with WordPress changes not showing are effectively addressed and resolved.

If these approaches don’t work for you, I suggest you consult with a WordPress development agency. They will analyze the website and the cause behind this issue and work out the best way forward.

To Conclude

When you find WordPress changes not showing, it’s often a caching issue—whether in your browser, your WordPress site, or your CDN. By following the troubleshooting steps we’ve covered, you can quickly identify and resolve the problem, ensuring that both you and your visitors see the most up-to-date version of your site.

Remember to clear your browser cache, purge your WordPress and CDN caches, and check for plugin conflicts if needed. With these solutions, you’ll have your site updates displaying correctly in no time!

If you’re still having trouble or need professional assistance, hire a WordPress expert for help.