Optimized images are cached across our CDN for performance, so a change to your Image Optimization settings applies to each image the next time it's requested and re-cached. If you want your new settings to apply to images that are already cached right away, use the Purge CDN Cache button.
When you'd use it
- You changed your optimization level, max width, or formats and want the new setting to take effect on already-viewed images immediately, rather than as they naturally re-cache.
- You added an exclusion and want a previously optimized image to revert to its original now.
- You replaced an image at the same filename and want the old cached copy cleared.
If you're happy for changes to roll out gradually as pages are visited, you don't need to purge at all. It happens on its own.
How to purge
The Purge CDN Cache button is in the top-right of the settings header, next to the "Updated … ago" timestamp in the Infinite Uploads plugin dashboard. Click it and confirm.
That's it. We clear the cached copies of your files across the CDN. Your images then rebuild automatically with your current settings the next time each one is visited.
Note: Because a purge makes the CDN re-fetch every file, the very first view of each image afterward may be slightly slower while the optimized copy is rebuilt and re-cached. This is brief and normal.
Once per hour
Purging is limited to once per hour. A full purge asks the CDN to rebuild everything, so running it back-to-back would only slow your site down for no benefit. If you click it again too soon, you'll see a message asking you to wait. That's expected.
Where's the button?
The Purge CDN Cache button appears when your site is on a business plan and Image Optimization is enabled. If you don't see it, confirm both:
- You're on a business plan (Image Optimization is a business-plan feature).
- Enable Image Optimization is set to Yes and saved.
See Enabling Image Optimization to turn it on.