How To Disable the wp-cron Scheduled Task in Plesk

Plesk is an intuitive web hosting platform that helps you manage your websites, applications, and server settings seamlessly. One common concern for WordPress users is managing the wp-cron functionality, which is essential for various automatic tasks within WordPress.

What is wp-cron.php?

wp-cron.php is a file in WordPress that handles scheduled tasks like checking for plugin or theme updates, sending email notifications, and publishing scheduled posts. It operates like a traditional cron job but is triggered by site visits, making it crucial for maintaining site functionality.

Can You Completely Disable wp-cron.php in Plesk?

If you enable the "Disable wp-cron.php" option in Domains > example_domain.com > WP Toolkit, it will create a scheduled task for wp-cron.php in Domains > example_domain.com > Scheduled Tasks. However, it's important to note that you cannot fully disable the wp-cron.php task in Plesk at this time.

Understanding the wp-cron.php Functionality

The purpose of enabling the "Disable wp-cron.php" option is to provide you with control over when wp-cron runs. This can help improve site performance, especially during times of high traffic. While you can modify its schedule via the Scheduled Tasks section, any manual changes or attempts to remove the task will be reverted within an hour by the next execution of the WordPress maintenance task.

Steps to Manage wp-cron in Plesk

1. Access Your Plesk Panel and navigate to Domains > example_domain.com > WP Toolkit.
2. Locate the Disable wp-cron.php Option. Make sure it is enabled to manage the schedule of wp-cron tasks.
3. Go to Scheduled Tasks under Domains > example_domain.com > Scheduled Tasks.
4. Edit the wp-cron Task Schedule as needed to optimize performance during high-traffic periods.
5. Save Your Changes and monitor the impact on your site's performance.

While you cannot completely disable the wp-cron.php task in Plesk, you can control its execution schedule to enhance your site's performance. Regularly reviewing your scheduled tasks will help ensure everything runs smoothly.