Delete WordPress Transients Using WP-CLI

WordPress utilizes Transients to manage the cache. If you are experiencing issues with cached pages or a plugin’s functionality, deleting the transients (stored in the database for the website) may resolve the issue. In this guide, you will learn how to delete transients using the WordPress Command Line Interface (WP-CLI).

• Delete Expired Transients Using WP-CLI
• Delete All Transients Using WP-CLI

WARNING: We strongly recommend backing up your database before using the commands in the tutorial below.

Delete Expired Transients Using WP-CLI

1. SSH into your server as the cPanel user that owns the website you want to delete expired transients for.
2. Use the cd command to switch to the document root directory of your website. For example:

   cd public_html/my_website

   NOTE: Be sure to replace public_html/my_website with the actual path to the document root directory of your website.
3. Run the following command:

   wp transient delete-expired

   
   The following output will be displayed once the command finishes running:
   [email protected] [~/public_html]# wp transient delete-expired
Success: 32 expired transients deleted from the database.

Delete All Transients Using WP-CLI

1. SSH into your server as the cPanel user that owns the website you want to delete all transients for.
2. Use the cd command to switch to the document root directory of your website.For example:

   cd public_html/my_website

   NOTE: Be sure to replace public_html/my_website with the actual path to the document root directory of your website.
3. Run the following command:

   wp transient delete-all

   
   The following output will be displayed once the command finishes running:
   [email protected] [~/public_html]# wp transient delete-all
Success: 38 transients deleted from the database.

Congratulations! Now you know how to troubleshoot caching issues by deleting expired WordPress transients in the database.

Learn more about WP-CLI, the command-line interface for WordPress, and how to streamline your WordPress maintenance workflows!