If you’ve made updates to your website but can’t see the changes on the live site, there could be several reasons for this issue. This guide will help you identify common causes and provide solutions to ensure your changes appear correctly.
Common Reasons Why Changes Aren’t Showing #
1. Browser Cache Issue #
Your browser may be displaying an older version of your website stored in its cache instead of loading the updated version.
Solution: #
- Clear Browser Cache:
- On Chrome: Click on Menu (⋮) > More Tools > Clear Browsing Data > Select Cached Images and Files > Click Clear Data.
- On Firefox: Click on Menu (☰) > Settings > Privacy & Security > Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data.
- Use Incognito Mode:
- Open a new incognito/private window and visit your website to see if the changes appear.
Tip: #
- Refresh the page using Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + R (Mac) to force a hard reload.
2. Server-Side Caching #
OzSpeed may use server-side caching or a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to speed up your website. Cached content can delay the appearance of changes.
Solution: #
- Clear Server Cache:
- Log in to hPanel and go to Performance > Clear Cache.
- Click “Clear All Cache” to remove stored versions of your website.
- Purge CDN Cache:
- If you’re using a CDN like Cloudflare, log in to your CDN account.
- Go to Caching > Purge Cache > Click “Purge Everything”.
Tip: #
- Enable Development Mode in Cloudflare temporarily to bypass caching while making updates.
3. Changes Not Published #
You may have saved your changes but forgotten to publish them, which means they won’t appear on the live site.
Solution: #
- In Website Builder:
- Click Save, then Publish to make your changes live.
- In WordPress:
- Ensure you click Update or Publish for each page or post you edited.
Tip: #
- Wait a few minutes after publishing, as it may take a short time for the changes to propagate.
4. Conflicting Plugin or Theme Settings #
Certain plugins or theme settings may override your changes, preventing them from showing on the live site.
Solution: #
- Disable Caching Plugins:
- Temporarily deactivate caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache in WordPress.
- Clear the plugin cache and check if the changes appear.
- Check Theme Customizer Settings:
- In WordPress, go to Appearance > Customize.
- Review any custom CSS or settings that might override your changes.
Tip: #
- Reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the source of the conflict.
5. DNS Propagation Delay #
If you recently updated your domain’s DNS settings, it may take time for the changes to propagate across the internet.
Solution: #
- Wait for DNS Propagation: DNS updates can take up to 24-48 hours. Use a DNS checker tool like dnschecker.org to monitor the status.
- Flush Local DNS Cache:
- On Windows: Open Command Prompt and type
ipconfig /flushdns
, then press Enter. - On Mac: Open Terminal and type
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
, then press Enter.
- On Windows: Open Command Prompt and type
Tip: #
- If your website is still pointing to the old server, verify the DNS records in your domain registrar.
6. Incorrect File Uploads #
If you updated your website files via File Manager or FTP, the changes might not be in the correct directory.
Solution: #
- Check File Location:
- Log in to hPanel and go to Files > File Manager.
- Ensure your edited files are in the public_html folder or the correct subdirectory.
- Verify File Permissions:
- Make sure the updated files have the correct permissions (e.g., 644 for files and 755 for folders).
Tip: #
- Use the Preview feature in hPanel to check the file before publishing it.
7. Local Hosts File Override #
Your computer’s hosts file may be configured to point your domain to an old IP address.
Solution: #
- Open your hosts file:
- On Windows: Go to
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
. - On Mac: Open Terminal and type
sudo nano /etc/hosts
.
- On Windows: Go to
- Remove any entries that point your domain to the old IP address.
- Save the changes and restart your browser.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips #
- Test on Multiple Devices:
- Check your website on different devices and browsers to see if the issue is specific to one.
- Check for JavaScript Errors:
- Open the browser’s Developer Tools (F12) and go to the Console tab.
- Look for any JavaScript errors that might be affecting the page display.
- Consult hPanel Logs:
- In hPanel, go to Advanced > Logs and check the Error Logs for any server-side issues.