Database bloated by post revisions, transients and spam.
A bloated DB slows admin and queries. WP-Optimize or Advanced Database Cleaner can shed hundreds of MB in a single session.
Try this first
- 1Back up the DB before cleanup. A mistake can cost content, so the backup is non-negotiable.
- 2Drop post revisions older than 30 days. WordPress keeps dozens per post; no real point keeping more than 5 or 10.
- 3Sweep expired transients. They stay in wp_options until someone purges them; sometimes thousands of rows.
- 4Delete spam comments and pending comments you'll never approve. Akismet's spam bin doesn't always empty itself.
- 5Optimise wp_options: set autoload to no for options not needed every page load. Advanced Database Cleaner shows the heaviest autoloaded rows.
- 6Cap future revisions in wp-config.php: define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 5). Stops the regrowth.
When to bring us in
Multi-GB DB on an SMB site? Some plugin is logging unchecked (Stream, Wordfence, security plugins). Audit autoloaded options and plugin tables.
See also
- WordPress, plugins and theme have gone 6+ months without updatesOut-of-date WP is the number-one entry for malware. Don't just hit 'update all', back up first.
- Theme update broke the layout or threw a fatal errorThemes overwrite custom CSS on update unless you use a child theme.
- WordPress shows a blank screen after a plugin install or updateWSOD (white screen of death) is usually one crashing plugin. You isolate it.
None of the above fits?
Describe your situation below. We pass your input plus the steps you already saw to our AI and return tailored next-step advice. If it's too risky to DIY, we'll say so.
Or skip the DIY entirely
Our Managed IT clients do not look these things up. One point of contact, a fixed monthly price, resolved within working hours.