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 “Disable wp-cron.php” on the installation card.
The default
wp-cron.php
execution is now disabled.
Instead, WP Toolkit has automatically created a scheduled task, which will now runwp-cron.php
every 30 minutes. -
(Optional) You may want to run
wp-cron.php
on a different schedule.
To do so, 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 is displayed if you have the permission to manage scheduled tasks.
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 “Disable wp-cron.php” toggle. - Creating a scheduled task. In this case, WP Toolkit will create another one once you disable
wp-cron.php
in the WP Toolkit interface.
You can either keep two tasks (it will not much affect the performance) or delete your task and keep the task created by WP Toolkit.