WordPress runs its own cron (wp-cron.php) every time someone visits your site. On low-traffic sites this can mean scheduled posts are missed or delayed. WP Toolkit can take over wp-cron and replace it with a system cron that runs on 30 min interval or a custom schedule of your choice.
Prerequisites
- A Ecenica hosting account with a WordPress site
- Access to the Ecenica Dashboard
Access WP Toolkit
- Log in to the Ecenica Dashboard
- Click Manage next to your Ecenica hosting service
- Click WordPress Manager
This opens the WP Toolkit interface showing all your WordPress installations.
Take over wp-cron
- Find the WordPress installation you want to change
- Turn on Take over wp-cron.php. You will find this toggle on the installation card
WP Toolkit will disable WordPress’s built-in cron and create a system cron job that runs wp-cron.php every 30 minutes. You do not need to edit any files.
Optional: change the run interval
The default 30-minute schedule suits most sites. To use a different interval:
- Click the tuning (gear) icon on the installation card
- Next to Create a replacement task when takeover is initiated, click the tuning icon
- A cPanel scheduled tasks page opens. Change the interval to your preference and save
FAQs
Will this affect my site’s performance?
Yes. Moving from WordPress’ defualt page-load cron to a system cron reduces your CPU usage on every visitor request and ensures scheduled tasks run consistently.
How do I check if the takeover is working?
Open your WordPress site’s wp-config.php file. If the takeover is active, you will see this line:
define(‘DISABLE_WP_CRON’, true);
WP Toolkit adds this automatically when you enable the takeover.
How often will the WordPress cron run?
Every 30 minutes by default. You can configure a different schedule if you wish.
What if I change my mind?
Turn off Take over wp-cron.php in WP Toolkit. WordPress will revert to its default page-load cron behaviour.
