Troubleshooting Guide: Clearing Cache on cPanel Server

Publish By:- CodeInputs

Introduction

Discover how to effectively clear cache on your cPanel server with our detailed troubleshooting guide. This tutorial covers step-by-step methods to manage and clear cache for improved website performance and to resolve common issues caused by outdated or corrupted cache files. Learn how to use cPanel tools, file managers, and advanced techniques like SSH to ensure your server delivers fresh and updated content to users. Perfect for beginners and experienced admins looking to optimize their server’s performance.

What is Cache?

Cache is a temporary storage area that stores frequently accessed data or resources to improve system performance and reduce load times. It acts as a buffer between the user and the primary data source, such as a server or database, by providing quick access to repeated requests without needing to regenerate or fetch the data every time.

Types of Cache

1. Browser Cache:
• Stores website files (like images, scripts, and stylesheets) on a user's device.
• Speeds up page loading by reusing locally stored files instead of downloading them again.
2. Server Cache:
• Stored on the web server to reduce the load on server resources.
• Examples include database query results, pre-rendered HTML pages, and static assets.
3. Application Cache:
• Found within specific applications like CMS (e.g., WordPress).
• Helps manage internal data caching for better app performance.
4. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Cache:
• Stores cached content on servers distributed globally.
• Reduces latency and improves content delivery speed for users worldwide.
5. Operating System and Hardware Cache:
• Includes CPU and disk cache.
• Optimizes processing and data retrieval speeds.

Benefits of Cache

• Faster Performance:Reduces the time needed to access data.
• Reduced Load:Decreases server and database load by avoiding redundant requests
• Better User Experience:Faster page loads improve satisfaction and engagement.
• Bandwidth Savings:Minimizes repetitive data transfers.

Challenges of Cache

• Stale Data:Cached data may not reflect the most recent updates, causing outdated content to display.
• Cache Clearing Needed:Occasionally, cache needs to be manually cleared to troubleshoot errors or refresh content.

In essence, caching helps optimize performance and efficiency across various systems but requires proper management to ensure updated and accurate content delivery.

Step by step process for clearing cache in cPanel

Method-1. Clear Cache Using the cPanel File Manager

• Log in to cPanel:Access your cPanel dashboard using your hosting credentials.
• Go to File Manager:Navigate to the File Manager section.
• Locate Cache Directories:
  • For WordPress sites, look for the folder wp-content/cache.
  • Other applications may have similar cache directories (e.g., /cache or /tmp).
• Delete Cache Files:Open the cache folder and delete the cached files. Be cautious not to delete important system or application files.

Method-2. Clear Cache Using cPanel Tools (if available)

• LiteSpeed Cache(if your server supports it):
• Find the LiteSpeed Cache tool in cPanel under the "Advanced" section.
• Use the provided options to clear cache.
• Varnish Cache:
• If your hosting provider uses Varnish Cache, find the Varnish management tool in cPanel.
• Select Purge Cache or similar options.

Method-3. Clear Cache for Specific Applications

• CMS Cache (e.g., WordPress, Joomla):
• Use caching plugins such as WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache to purge all cached files.
• Magento/Drupal Cache:
• Check the admin panel for cache clearing options.

Method-4. Clear Cache via SSH (For Advanced Users)

If you have SSH access to the server:

• Connect via SSH:Use an SSH client to log in to your server.
• Clear Cache Manually:
• Navigate to the cache directory:

cd /path/to/your/cache

• Remove cached files:

rm -rf *

• Restart Services(if applicable): For some server-side caching tools, restarting services may be required:

service varnish restart

Method-5.Clear Browser Cache (Optional but Recommended)

Clearing your browser cache ensures you see the latest changes after clearing the server cache.

• For Chrome/Edge/Firefox:Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data and select "Cached images and files."

By following these steps, you can ensure that your server and website deliver fresh, updated content to your users. Let me know if you need more specific guidance!