Deactivating/Deleting W3 Total Cache

  • Resolved constangiann

    (@constangiann)


    4 years, 4 months ago

    Hello,

    I’ve just created a staging environment for my website so I could safely make the transition to a new theme and builder. I am still working on this but I would like a formal guide on how to completely deactivate and delete the W3 total cache plugin.

    I did that myself but when I try to rebuild my pages strange things happen with the layout and I have the suspicion that maybe its the plugins fault (even deactivated). I haven’t deleted any folders or files cause I am afraid to not being a developper. The problem is I can’t work on my existing pages…I put things full width and they come up boxed in a corner, I can’t see testimonial sliders and so on…

    I know its been asked several times and I ve read many articles concerning the issue but I often read different things so I would like a personal clear answer.

    Which folders exactly and which files is it safe to (and I should) delete or modify?

    I repeat that I am a middle level user and not a developper. I think the deactivation of the plugins should be simpler or else stated clearly at their download page that the deactivation could be a pain and requires extra action, resulting in strange behaviour of websites and I hope nothing more serious.

    Thank you in advance,
    Constantenia

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Plugin Contributor Marko Vasiljevic

    (@vmarko)

    Hello @constangiann

    Thank you for your inquiry and I am happy to assist you with this.
    Please follow the instructions below to completely remove W3 Total Cache:

    1. Purge Cache
    2. Deactivate and Delete Plugin
    3. Check .htaccess File (make backup)
    W3TC will create many directives in the .htaccess file to control the caching behavior. Each section will start and end with comments like “#BEGIN W3TC Page Cache core” and “#END W3TC Page Cache core”.
    Ensure that no residual entries are leftover in your .htaccess file after deleting the plugin.
    4. Delete wp-content files and folders
    – cache folder
    – w3tc-config folder
    – object-cache.php (if exists)
    – advanced-cache.php (if exists)
    – dbcache.php (if exists)
    – upgrade folder
    – delete w3-total-cache folder in wp-content/plugins/ (if exists)
    5. Delete Cached Files from CDN (if using CDN)
    Besides deleting all the relevant files, if you use CDN then ensure to purge the cached content from your CDN. This is necessary when you enabled the minify option in W3TC settings. You should delete the minified and combined scripts and CSS files from your CDN server to avoid the site breaking on the browser.

    Thank you!

    Thread Starter constangiann

    (@constangiann)

    Thank you,

    1. So now that I have not done these things but I have deactivated the plugin (I dont rembemer doing purge cache for example), what is the proper procedure? I reactivate it and do what yoy wrote in the order you wrote it? Is everything going to be ok or are there dangers I should be aware of?

    2. I see 3 object-cache files in staging folder:
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/wp-content/object-cache.php
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/updraft/plugins-old/w3-total-cache/wp-content/object-cache.php
    and
    /public_html/staging/wp-includes/class-wp-object-cache.php

    I delete all of them or not the last?

    3.I see 4 advanced cache:
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/wp-content/advanced-cache.php
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/updraft/plugins-old/w3-total-cache/wp-content/advanced-cache.php
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/bp/advanced-cache.php-old
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/bp/advanced-cache.php

    bp must be a backup folder bluehost created when they made my staging. Delete all?

    4. 2 dbcache:

    /public_html/staging/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/inc/options/dbcache.php
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/updraft/plugins-old/w3-total-cache/inc/options/dbcache.php

    delete them both?

    5.i see one staging/wp-content/upgrade folder which is empty and another one cache folder and another wt3-config (also in wp-content). These are the ones I should delete?

    6.I see these .htaccess files. Which one are you referring to?:
    /public_html/staging/.htaccessol
    /public_html/staging/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/.htaccess-bkp1
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/updraft/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/updraft/uploads-old/woocommerce_uploads/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/updraft/uploads-old/wc-logs/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/bp/cache/minify/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/bp/cache/page_enhanced/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/uploads/wc-logs/.htaccess
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/cache/page_enhanced/.htaccess

    The one in the root folder doesnt have any W3TC in it right now (the plugin is deactivated).

    7.I dont use CDN but I used optimole an image plugin which said it used some kind of CDN to serve images. I deactivated that too not knowing what causes the problems. It is still deactivated. Do I have to do something concerning that? I see images now. Just other strange things having to do with page layout.

    8.Last but not least!!!
    I am on a staging environment and still on a “trial and error” “safe” mode…What happens when I finish my work and decide to deploy? What is the procedure then? Just copy the staging to the livesite? Or should I first deactivate the plugins at the live site too and then deploy???

    Thank you

    Plugin Contributor Marko Vasiljevic

    (@vmarko)

    Hello @constangiann

    1. There is no danger. If you have not purged the cache that is also fine because you are deleting /cache/ folder.
    2. delete the entire wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/ folder
    The object-cache.php (if exists) should be in wp-content folder as advanced-cache.php and dbcache.php
    3. As mentioned above you are deleting the wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache folder and you should also delete:
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/bp/advanced-cache.php-old
    /public_html/staging/wp-content/bp/advanced-cache.php
    4. If you have enabled the database caching then the dbcache.php drop=in should be in the /public_html/staging/wp-content/ folder. If it’s not there then you have nothing to delete.
    5. Yes, those two folders in wp-content should be deleted.
    6. I am referring to /public_html/staging/.htaccess If there are no W3TC related rules there you should leave it as it is.
    7. No, you should leave that as it is, no need to do anything there.
    8. YOu should not deactivate the plugins. just deploy the website when testing is done.
    Thanks!

    Thread Starter constangiann

    (@constangiann)

    Hello @vmarko,

    I really feel I shouldn’t be in the position of doing all that stuff manually. Especially not knowing exactly what I’m doing ?? (not knowing 100% what I am deleting or modifying, not being a developper) and that is a big minus of the plugin.

    Things everywhere in the world are getting easier and simpler and w3tc seems way more complicated than it should be for the average user. You should definetely consider this as a team.

    I am saying that with all the respect to a very good tool that w3tc is. I used it for 3 years with no problems and good results. I don’t know if I reactivate it again because of all this stuff. I start to believe that it is not for me. It is for developpers only. If not some things should change.

    I also don’t know if that is the best caching plugin out there. But I know that you helped me so much answering all my questions one by one. I now feel confident to do what I have to do. And that is a big plus for you personally and your plugin.

    Thank you for your time and help and hope everything goes well and won’t have to bother you again

    Constantenia

    • This reply was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by constangiann.
    Plugin Contributor Marko Vasiljevic

    (@vmarko)

    Hello @constangiann

    Thank you for your message.
    The guide for removing W3 Total Cache completely is only when for some reason the files are not removed automatically.
    SO in normal circumstances, You only need to purge the cache, disable and then delete the plugin and all the files should be removed.
    On rare occasions there some files and folder leftovers (some bad slow servers) and need to be removed manually.
    You are most welcome and thank you!

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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