How to set up a regular run of wp-cron.php in Plesk

WordPress Toolkit is a management interface that allows you to install, configure, and manage WordPress in Plesk easily. In this article, we’ll show you how to set up a regular run of wp-cron.php in Plesk. Start out by accessing your Plesk control panel through your HostPapa Dashboard

Please note that WordPress Toolkit can install, configure, and manage WordPress version 4.9 and later, and the extension is free with the Web Pro and Web Host Plesk editions. It’s available for a fee for the Web Admin edition. 

How to set up a regular run of wp-cron.php 

WordPress uses the wp-cron.php file as a virtual cron job (or scheduled task) to automate certain operations. By default, WordPress runs the wp-cron.php task every time someone visits your site. If you want WordPress operations to be performed regularly and on schedule, you need to disable the default wp-cron.php execution. 

Scheduled wp-cron.php execution may also improve your website’s load time if your website is high-traffic. 

To disable wp.cron-php on a particular WordPress installation, follow these steps:

  1. Go to WordPress.

    How to set up a regular run of wp-cron.php in Plesk 1

  2. Choose the WordPress installation where you want to disable the default wp-cron.php execution.
  3. Turn on Take over wp-cron.php on the installation card. The default wp-cron.php execution is now disabled.

    How to set up a regular run of wp-cron.php in Plesk

  4. WordPress Toolkit automatically creates a replacement scheduled task by default. It will run wp-cron.php every 30 minutes. 
  5. In the following cases, you may not need a replacement task: 
  • You already have or are planning to have your own replacement task. 
  • You don’t need any replacement task because running wp-cron.php harms your website. 

To choose not to create a replacement task, or delete the one already created by WordPress Toolkit, click the gear icon, then turn off Create a replacement task when the takeover is initiated

6. You may want to run wp-cron.php on a different schedule. To do this, click the gear icon, and next to Create a replacement task, click the same icon. This will open a new Plesk tab with scheduled tasks. Change the default 30-minute interval, then save your changes.

Note: The icon next to Create a replacement task is displayed if you have permission to manage scheduled tasks. 

You can always recreate a replacement task if you’ve removed it by mistake. To do this, click the gear icon, turn off, then turn back on Create a replacement task when the takeover is initiated.

How to set up a regular run of wp-cron.php in Plesk 2

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 WordPress Toolkit in the following ways:

  • Editing the wp-config.php file. In this case, WordPress Toolkit will detect this change and adjust the Take over wp-cron.php toggle.
  • Creating your own replacement scheduled task. In this case, WordPress Toolkit can create another task once you turn on Take over wp-cron.php in the WordPress Toolkit interface. You can choose from the following options: 
    • Keep two tasks (this will not significantly affect the performance) 
  • Delete your task and keep the task created by WordPress Toolkit 
  • Keep your task and delete the task created by WordPress Toolkit (to do this, turn off Create a replacement task when the takeover is initiated)

    How to set up a regular run of wp-cron.php in Plesk 4

If you need help with Plesk, please open a support ticket from your dashboard.

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