WP Super Cache is one of the must have plugins for every WordPress site. A lot of our users asked us to do a tutorial that shows how to setup WP Super Cache plugin step by step. Because we have this plugin included in our Recommended WordPress Plugins list, we think that it is necessary for us to show everyone how to take advantage of this extremely useful plugin.
This plugin makes a copy of your web page on the server and by doing so it speeds up page load time and reduces the resource consumption. It is essential that you have this plugin just incase if your site hits the Front Page of a social media network such as digg or stumbleupon, without this plugin, your server will most likely crash.
What we will be doing in this tutorial?
In this tutorial, we will show you how to install WP Super Cache Plugin. Then we will walk you through the process of setting it up which will include updating the .htaccess files and selecting the right settings. Many beginners are afraid to install this plugin because it is a some what complicated setup. But we assure you that after reading this guide, you will feel very comfortable installing this plugin on more than one site.
1. Installing WP Super Cache
We will use the built-in plugin installer to install the plugin. So you should login to your WP-Admin Panel. Click on the Plugin Tabs » Add New. Then type the plugin name “WP Super Cache”.
You will see the results. It will most likely be the first plugin on the list. It is created by Donncha O Caoimh. Click on the Install link. You will see a screen like below. Click on Install Plugin and then Activate the Plugin.
2. Setup Permalinks
A custom url or permalink structure is required for this plugin to work correctly. We recommend that you change your permalinks anyways to make it more SEO Friendly. Follow our tutorial – SEO Friendly URL Structure for WordPress.
3. Turn WP Super Cache On
You will need to visit Settings » WP Super Cache page, and turn it on.
4. Update .htaccess
After you turn WP Super Cache on as shown in Step 3, you need to scroll down on the WP Super Cache option page screen until you see the Mod Rewrite Rules Section. It looks like this:
Then scroll down a little bit more and click on Update Now
You will be able to update this only if your web host has correct folder/file permissions setup. If you are using any of our recommended web hosts for WordPress, then you should be able to do this without any problem.
Once you have finished all these 4 steps, WP Super Cache is setup completely for your site.
If you have any other issues or need additional help feel free to post your questions in the comments below. But before you do that make sure that you have read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about this plugin.
Well, I don’t know if it is the version of WP (I’m using the latest – 3.3 brazilian portuguese version), but I couldn’t set this plugin up.
I followed all the steps here, but I had a problem before turning the cache on. I had to follow some steps from other doc and open the wp-config.php and insert a line there. Then I backed and I couldn’t turn the plugin on, but it still didn’t work properly. Now I’m seeing a message that says this:
“Cache Tester Test your cached website by clicking the test button below. Fetching http://ptcfiretest.com/ to prime cache: OK Fetching first copy of http://ptcfiretest.com/: OK (1.html) Fetching second copy of http://ptcfiretest.com/: OK (2.html) The pages do not match! Timestamps differ or were not found!”
Anyone can help me, please? I’m really lost. The tutorial here is very good, but isn’t complete, since the developer didn’t realize we could have this kind of error.
Thank you.
Cordially.
Hum, strange, but I rejoined my domain and now it worked, but I still can’t see that .htaccess option… do I really have to make that? I’m really a newbie at WP world and I don’t know how to make it, since I can’t see that option on that place the author of this article mentioned.
Thank you.
@ btfb
Well, good to know someone else is in the same boat. Hopefully you’re right about the auto update – one less thing to focus on!
CheersRoss
@rossnroller Same problem for me, I think the new version automatically updates the mod rewrite rule.
I can’t find the Option page screen! Very dumb of me no doubt, but can someone give me directions on where it is? Thanks.
Ross
Very useful.. But is it better that W3 Total Cache
How to configure CDN W3 Total Cache Use FTP Self Hosted
Am slightly scared installing the plugin – what can go wrong?
And deleting would cause no problems whatsoever?
Deleting it would cause no problem.
Very nice artilce with simple steps to install wp super cache. I have found considerable improvement in my website ( faster page loading) after that. Was able to configure all the options in one go, no problem faced.
Mu hosting service provider inmotion hosting had provided this link to me, so that I can install wp super cache easily
Thanks for the article. I have been searching for a long time trying to figure out how to use header expires, this was extremely helpful. You can count on me for a few links here and there!
Is the step 4 absolutely necessary?
I receive an error message regarding “is writable. Please make it readonly after your page is generated as this is a security risk.”
The new version has different interface. So you can now Enable the plugin from “Easy” panel.
Just what I needed.
I notice that you say “You will be able to update this only if your web host has correct folder/file permissions setup”
What permission should htaccess have for this to work?
Some might only require 755, but others might require 777. If you do set it at 777 make sure you change it back once the installation is done.
Very nice artilce with simple steps to install wp super cache. I have found considerable improvement in my website ( faster page loading) after that. Was able to configure all the options in one go, no problem faced.
Mu hosting service provider inmotion hosting had provided this link to me, so that I can install wp super cache easily
I have installed WP-Super-Cache
and receive this error message:
Error: Your cache directory (/home/mobixone/public_html/wp-content/cache/) or /home/mobixone/public_html/wp-content need to be writable for this plugin to work. Double-check it.
Cannot continue… fix previous problems and retry.
even i have make it writable.
Please reply fast if anyone know about it?
I have these 2 messages in the “fix configuration” section:
Bad Behaviour support is disabled.(Only half-on caching supported, disabled compression and requires Bad Behavior in “/home2/marjorj1/public_html/2010mysd/wp-content/plugins/bad-behavior/”)
No Adverts for Friends plugin is disabled. (requires friendsadverts.php too)
Do I need to enable both of these? Thanks!
WP Super Cache must not be set to Half-on Caching. And the Gzip compression must be disabled.
If you are not using Bad Behavior and it is just sitting there, then delete it. Same goes for Adverts plugin.
Just what I needed.
I notice that you say “You will be able to update this only if your web host has correct folder/file permissions setup”
What permission should htaccess have for this to work?
The file needs to be writeable.
how to make the folder readonly ! the public html file and it ask many save option and direct cached file, what can we do for that !!
Thanks, this article help me a lot.
But for step 4, is it obligation or just optional. How if my web host not support?
If your host does not support it then you can’t use this plugin.
Very useful description. A lot easier to understand than the one on the WordPress official plugin page.
If my hosting is with a company other than those you recommend what are the re-write rules I need to apply to the WP-Super Cache files/folders to ensure that it works?
Hey Clive,
You can find the .htaccess code here: in the installation page
Hi — I followed the instructions but, at the top of the options page, I’m receiving a message that the file path is “writable.” I’m new to WP (as of this week) and would like to know what this means, any threat it may pose, and the way to fix it.
Thanks so much!
Hello Rachel,
For privacy reasons, lets talk about this over email. Please use our contact form and send us an email. This problem is solvable, and it needs to be solved asap.
Would you recommend using this plug-in in conjunction with the DB Cache plug-in?
I have enabled them both together but I cannot see a performance increase.
Unless your site has high volume of DB queries, you should not need to run both. WP Super Cache can do the job for most sites.
Database caching reduces the “creation time” for new pages. In other words, a database cache allows you to build a new cache for your pages faster. So this handles cases like: user visiting a page that is not yet cached, generating the updated cached page for users that are not logged in etc. Reducing the load on your database server will also improve your WP Admin performance as well and give you more CPU power to focus on sending pages to visitors.
What are your thoughts on the W3 Super Cache plugin?
All reviews that we have heard of it says it is a great plugin.
Why that?
If you only want to compress, to save queries or to cache, you must not change anything on the server.
Sorry, but this is simply not true. W3 Total Cache supports all conceivable hosting paradigms, except some very advanced database implementations. In other words, from shared hosting to multiple dedicated servers. If you have a dedicated server, then you have a higher traffic site and thus installing software to get more performance is something one would desire.
Fredrick,
Thank you for the clarification. We have edited our comment, so it does not cause any confusion.
What about enabling compression?
That depends on whether your host supports it or not.
Gzip compression is an essential performance win any site. Enable it, your hosting provider plays no part in whether or not this works for you as far as WP Super Cache is concerned. If you want to compress other text based files, then you will need to do some quick checking to see what your options are. Or you can use W3 Total Cache, which will handle your posts/pages, feeds and CSS / JS if you minify them.
Nice article. My regular set-up used to revolve around Super Cache in addition to a DB cacher and php Speedy, before I switched to W3 Total cache.It combines and minifies js & css in addition to caching.
excellent explanation for beginners