Cache Control

MainWP Cache Control allows you to automatically purge Cache on your Child Sites after performing an update of WP Core, Theme, or a Plugin through the MainWP Dashboard.

What You’ll Learn

• Supported caching plugins and solutions
• Automatically purging cache after updates
• Manually clearing cache from the Dashboard
• Configuring Cloudflare cache integration

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Extension Add-on - This add-on provides standalone functionality within MainWP Dashboard. No third-party plugins required.

MainWP Cache Control extension allows you to automatically purge the Cache on your child sites after performing an update of WP Core, Theme, or a Plugin through the MainWP Dashboard. Currently supported caching solutions are

• Cloudflare

and the following caching plugins:

• Breeze
• LiteSpeed Cache
• Siteground Optimizer
• Swift Performance Lite and Pro
• WP Fastest Cache
• W3 Total Cache
• WP Rocket
• AccelerateWP
• Hummingbird Performance
• Cache Enabler
• Nitropack
• Autoptimize
• Nginx Helper
• WP Optimize
• Comet Cache
• FlyingPress
• WP Super Cache
• Rocket.net
• Pressable Cache Management
• RunCloud Hub

Overview of when the last automatic Cache purge occurred and what the currently detected Caching solution is for your Child sites can be found in the table located on MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites page.

Manually clear cache

The cache will be cleared automatically upon WP Core, Theme, or a Plugin update, but you can also manually trigger the clear.

From the Manage Sites table

Cache can be cleared for any number of sites from the Manage Sites page. Select a number of desired sites, or all of them, and then from the Bulk Actions menu, select Clear Cache Control, and then click Apply.

Using widgets

Cache Control widgets are located on the Overview page and the Individual Child Sites Overview pages. Locate them and simply click the Clear Cache button. If you do not see the widget, you may need to enable it from the Page Settings.

Cloudflare cache purging

To enable Cloudflare cache purging, turn on the Use Cloudflare Cache API setting and provide valid Cloudflare credentials.

NOTE Since version 4.0.1, the Cache Control extension will handle cache purging of both Cloudflare and the supported caching plugin at the same time. Previously, if both caching solutions were present, only the caching plugin was supported.

Choose an authentication method

Cache Control supports two ways to authenticate with Cloudflare. Pick the one that matches how you manage your Cloudflare account:

• Global API Key (default) — Authenticates with your Cloudflare account email and Global API Key. Use this if you’ve previously configured Cache Control or rely on the legacy key.
• API Token — Authenticates with a scoped Cloudflare API Token (Bearer Token). Recommended for most accounts because tokens can be limited to specific zones and permissions, and can be revoked individually.

To switch methods, toggle Use Cloudflare Token on the Cache Control settings page. The relevant credential fields appear based on your selection.

API Token (recommended)

1. In your Cloudflare dashboard, go to My Profile > API Tokens and create a token with Zone.Cache Purge permission for the zones you want to manage.
2. In MainWP, go to Extensions > Cache Control.
3. Enable Use Cloudflare Cache API.
4. Enable Use Cloudflare Token.
5. Paste the token into the Token field and click Save Settings.

Global API Key

1. Retrieve your Global API Key from your Cloudflare profile.
2. In MainWP, go to Extensions > Cache Control.
3. Enable Use Cloudflare Cache API.
4. Leave Use Cloudflare Token disabled.
5. Enter your Cloudflare API Email and Cloudflare API Key, then click Save Settings.

Per-site Cloudflare credentials

Each Child Site can override the global Cloudflare credentials, which is useful when different sites are on different Cloudflare accounts.

1. Go to Sites > Manage Sites, open the Child Site, and click the Cache Control tab.
2. Enable Use Cloudflare Cache API to override the global settings.
3. Choose the authentication method with the Use Cloudflare Token toggle.
4. Enter either the Token or the Cloudflare API Email and API Key, then save.

Change Cache Control settings on All child sites

1. Login to your MainWP Dashboard
2. Go to the MainWP > Add-ons > Cache Control page
3. Enable the feature, click Save button
4. Synchronize your Child sites

   

Change Cache Control settings on a Single Site

1. Login to your MainWP Dashboard
2. Go to the MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites page
3. Locate the Child site, open its Dashboard and go Cache Control page

   Locate the Child site, open its Dashboard and go Cache Control page

   1. Override the global settings by selecting Yes or No from the dropdown
   2. Optionally, enable the Cloudflare Cache API and enable the site-specific API key
4. Click Save button
5. Synchronize your Child site

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Related Resources

• Performance Add-ons - Browse all performance tools
• WP Rocket Extension - Advanced WP Rocket management
• Manage Updates - Update management guide