If you’ve ever checked your access logs and thought “bloody hell, that’s a lot of cron jobs!”, you’re not alone. WordPress’s built-in scheduling system (WP-Cron) is notorious for running far too often, sometimes tens of thousands of times per day. While it’s not a security issue, it can become a serious performance and ROI problem if left unchecked.
What Is WP-Cron?
WP-Cron is WordPress’s internal task scheduler. It’s used to:
- Publish scheduled posts
- Check for plugin/theme updates
- Run backups or cleanup scripts
The problem is that WP-Cron is triggered whenever someone visits your site. On a busy site, this means it can fire constantly, creating thousands of unnecessary requests.
Why Is That a Problem?
- Wasted server resources – Each cron call uses CPU and memory that could be serving real visitors.
- Slower page loads – Extra load can slow down your site, reducing conversions.
- SEO impact – Site speed is a Google ranking factor; unnecessary cron calls can drag performance down.
- Log noise – Your access logs get filled with cron entries, making it harder to spot genuine issues.
This isn’t just a technical nuisance — it eats into your return on investment (ROI) by reducing efficiency and potentially losing sales.
How to Fix WP-Cron Spam
The good news: the fix is simple.
Step 1 – Disable WP-Cron on Page Load
Open your wp-config.php file and add this line above /* That's all, stop editing! */:
define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);
Step 2 – Replace With a Real Cron Job
Set up a scheduled cron job on your server to run every 5–10 minutes. For example:
*/5 * * * * wget -q -O -<https://yourdomain.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron> >/dev/null 2>&1
This reduces cron calls from tens of thousands per day to just a few hundred.
The ROI Payoff
- Faster site = higher conversions
- Lower hosting overhead (your server works smarter, not harder)
- Cleaner logs for better monitoring
- SEO benefits thanks to improved site speed
In other words, fixing WP-Cron spam means your server spends its power on actual visitors instead of background noise.
Why We Recommend WPX Hosting
At AMW, we’ve seen firsthand how hosting can make or break ROI. That’s why we recommend WPX Hosting for serious WordPress sites:
- Blazing fast servers optimised for WordPress performance
- Proactive support team who can spot and fix issues quickly
- Extra value: part of their revenue funds a dog rescue charity, so your hosting spend also does good
Switching to WPX can give you a strong technical foundation while we help you optimise ROI on the site itself.
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Final Thoughts
If your access logs are clogged with wp-cron.php, don’t panic — it’s common. But it’s worth fixing because it directly affects your site’s performance and ROI. A quick tweak in wp-config.php and a proper cron job can make your WordPress site leaner, faster, and more profitable.
Need help making your WordPress site faster and more profitable? Contact AMW today and let’s boost your ROI