If you've updated your website or changed a DNS setting and the old version still loads, you're almost always looking at a caching issue, not a problem with your changes. Several layers can hold onto an old copy of your site at once: your browser, your computer's DNS cache, a content delivery network (CDN), and your hosting server itself. This guide walks through each one so you can find the right place to clear it.
1. Rule out your browser cache first
This is the most common cause, and the quickest to check. Your browser may be showing you a saved copy of the page instead of fetching it fresh.
- Try a hard refresh: Ctrl+F5 on Windows or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac.
- Open the page in a private or incognito window, which skips your saved cache entirely.
- Try loading the site on your phone over mobile data, which uses a completely separate cache.
If you still see the old version after that, see our guide on how to clear your browser cache for full steps.
2. Check your DNS cache, but only after changing nameservers or DNS records
If you recently pointed your domain to a new host, changed nameservers, or edited a DNS record, your computer or network may still have the old DNS answer saved. This step only applies to DNS changes. It won't help with a content change on a domain whose DNS hasn't moved.
DNS changes can take time to spread across the internet even after you clear your own cache. See how to clear your DNS cache for the full steps and typical propagation times.
3. Check for a CDN or proxy cache
If your domain runs through a CDN such as Cloudflare, the CDN keeps its own cached copy of your pages at edge locations around the world, separate from your server. Log in to the CDN's dashboard and look for a Purge Cache or Clear Cache option. If you're not using a CDN, skip this step.
4. Clear server-side caching on your hosting account
Many shared hosting plans run on LiteSpeed Web Server, which keeps its own page cache on the server to speed up load times. This cache is separate from your browser and can keep showing an old version of a page for a while after you publish a change.
In cPanel
- Log in to cPanel.
- Look for LiteSpeed Web Cache Manager under the Software or Advanced section.
- Click Flush Cache (or the equivalent "empty cache" option) to clear it for your domain.
In DirectAdmin
- Log in to DirectAdmin.
- Look for a Cache Manager or LiteSpeed option under your account's Advanced Features.
- Select your domain and choose Clear Cache.
If you don't see a cache manager in either panel, your account likely isn't using server-side page caching, and you can move on to the next step.
5. Clear a WordPress caching plugin
If your site runs on WordPress, a caching plugin can hold its own copy of your pages regardless of server-level caching. Common ones include LiteSpeed Cache, WP Super Cache, and W3 Total Cache. Log in to wp-admin, open the plugin's settings, and look for a button usually labeled Purge All or Clear Cache.
If you've worked through all of the steps above and the change still isn't visible, wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again. Some caching layers refresh on a timer rather than instantly, especially when a CDN is involved.