WordPress changes not showing? When you clicked the Save button, nothing happened? That can be frustrating, but there are some solutions to this. In this article, you‘ll learn some reasons why this happens as well as how to fix the problem.
Written on by Nile Flores
Estimated read time 5 minutes
WordPress Changes Not Showing? Here’s How to Fix the Problem
Most of the reasons why changes aren’t showing are usually due to caching issues. However, here’s the full list and how to tackle each:
Caching Plugins
Browser Cache
CDN (Content Delivery Network) Caching:
Incorrectly Saving Changes
Theme or Plugin Conflicts
Server Caching
Incorrect File Permissions
Cloudflare or Firewall Settings
Changes in the Wrong Location
Propagation Delays
Caching Plugins
One of the most frequent reasons for changes not showing up is caching. Caching plugins store copies of your website's pages to improve loading times for subsequent visitors. When you make changes to your site, these cached versions can prevent the new content from displaying right away. To resolve this, clear your website's cache through the caching plugin settings or temporarily disable the caching plugin until your changes take effect.
Browser Cache
Your web browser may also be caching your website's pages, which can cause the changes to not appear. Try clearing your browser cache or open your website in an incognito or private browsing window to see if the changes are visible.
As a note, with WordPress, some changes may still not be seen at the browser level, so the incognito or private browser window is super handy. However, if the issue persists, you might want to try rebooting your computer.
The last option seems really simple, but rebooting your computer will ultimately clear the browser cache.
CDN (Content Delivery Network) Caching
If you use a CDN to deliver your website's content, the CDN might be caching older versions of your site, making the changes not immediately visible. You can either purge the CDN cache or wait for the cache to expire, which may take some time depending on your CDN settings.
If you are using Cloudflare for your CDN, sometimes even the Cloudflare plugin for WordPress might not always work as expected when clearing the website’s cache. You may find that you’ll have to log in directly to Cloudflare and clear the cache from their end.
Incorrectly Saving Changes
Sometimes, the changes are not visible because they were not saved correctly. Always check to make sure that you save your changes properly, especially when editing pages, posts, or theme settings. Use the "Update" or "Save" buttons to save changes appropriately, and don’t rely on just autosave. Sometimes that option can fail at times, especially if you have poor internet or if your website’s web hosting server is sluggish.
Theme or Plugin Conflicts
Conflicts between themes and plugins can cause changes not to display as expected. Disable plugins or switch to a default WordPress theme to identify if a theme or plugin is causing the issue. Then, enable them one by one to find the conflicting item and seek support from the respective theme or plugin developer.
As a note, if the issue is with a free theme or plugin, you might not get much luck with getting free support and may need to hire a WordPress developer. You are more likely to receive support if you paid for the premium version of a theme or plugin that is causing the conflict.
Server Caching
Some web hosting providers implement server-side caching that can interfere with your changes, including delayed changes. If you believe the issue is related to server caching, reach out to your hosting support to inquire about server caching and how to clear it if necessary. In some cases they may be able to resolve the issue on their end.
Incorrect File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions can lead to issues when saving changes. Make sure that the necessary files and folders have the appropriate permissions. In WordPress, for directories, set permissions to 755, and for files, set permissions to 644.
You can do this using a FTP client like Filezilla, or through a File manager tool if your web host has cPanel or Plesk.
Cloudflare or Firewall Settings
If you use Cloudflare or a firewall, they might be caching your website or restricting access to specific resources. Review the settings in your Cloudflare account or firewall configuration to check if they're affecting your changes.
In some cases, if you have a firewall set for a security plugin, and for Cloudflare, you might need to choose only one. If you’ve troubleshooted and found the firewall for Cloudflare or other one, contact your web host and inquire on what they would suggest for a firewall option that is friendly not just for WordPress, but for the website’s server’s configuration.
Changes in the Wrong Location
Double-check that you are making the changes in the correct location. For example, if you are updating a specific page, ensure that you are editing the right page, and the changes are applied to the correct version.
This seems like a silly issue, but it’s a super common mistake to make.
Propagation Delays
When you change your DNS settings or move your website to a new web hosting provider, it may take some time for the changes to settle across the internet. Typically, this process can take several hours or even up to 48 hours.
During this time, your site may be going between the old web host and the new. You might want to refrain from making any changes during the propagation period. If after 48 hours, there are still problems with WordPress changes not showing, then contact the web host. They may need to troubleshoot the problem or add some DNS rules to help get the site properly settled on the new web host.
In Summary
Now that you have all the reasons why your changes aren’t showing, it’s time to troubleshoot. Hopefully this will help any time with the WordPress changes not showing issues. In the case that some of the suggested fixes are too much, make sure to find a reliable WordPress developer or ask your web host.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Verpex for WordPress?
As the leading CMS out there, we’ve made it our mission to offer the most comprehensive and streamlined WordPress solutions on the market. Backed by a responsive customer care team and reliable site enhancement tools, we ensure our users get the full WordPress value and support for a reasonable price.
How can I set up hosting plan for my WordPress website ?
Simply sign up, pick a plan, and let our system do the work for you. You’ll be immediately given access to the latest version of the WordPress platform, and through there, log in with your Verpex cPanel details. Now all you need to do is pick a theme and start downloading any of the hundreds of plugins available to start customizing your website.
How much traffic can my WordPress site handle?
Most shared plans can manage around 1,000 to 2,000 visitors per day. If you expect more than this we’d recommend opting for VPS or dedicated WordPress hosting.
How do I get help with my WordPress site?
There’s never a moment we won’t be here to support the development of your website and your business. Unlike many of our competitors, we’re online 24/7, providing support to our users whenever they need it. We provide a live chat experience so we can quickly communicate in real time, meaning you can swiftly get back to enhancing your customers’ experiences.
