WP-Cron is how WordPress handles scheduling time-based tasks in WordPress. Several WordPress core features, such as checking for updates and publishing scheduled post, utilize WP-Cron. The \u201cCron\u201d part of the name comes from the cron time-based task scheduling system that is available on UNIX systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s important to understand that WP-Cron is not a real cron job, it was created by WordPress as a way to mimic the job of a system cron. WP-Cron does not run continously and by default it will run only when a page is loaded, which on high-traffic websites can cause problems. On the other hand if a website has low traffic, schedules will be missed because no one has loaded a page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best approach is to disable WP-Cron and use the system cron instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might run into problems with WP-Cron if your WordPress website is high traffic. The main issues that usually come up are race conditions and long running processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since WP-Cron will run everytime there is a page load, in the chance that your website get a page load every couple days, it means that your WordPress will only perform schedules as Updates and Publish Scheduled Posts every couple days or even later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To disable WP-Cron add the following line into your wp-config.php<\/strong><\/em>. This disables WP-Cron from running on page load, not when you send a call to wp-cron.php.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to edit wp-config.php<\/strong><\/em> you have 2 options. 1) Edit using cPanel File Manager<\/strong> or SSH<\/strong> if you are comfortable with the command line.<\/p>\n\n\n\ndefine('DISABLE_WP_CRON',true);<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nEdit wp-config.php using cPanel File Manager<\/h3>\n\n\n