Troubleshooting
Varnish Caching & Troubleshooting
Varnish is a high-speed caching system some hosts use to keep sites fast — but speed and dynamic eCommerce don’t always mix. If your cart, login, or product updates are misbehaving, caching is usually the culprit.
Why Caching Breaks Your Cart
WP EasyCart depends on dynamic data — live cart contents, logged-in sessions, and real-time settings changes. Caching wasn’t built for that.
💡 Static Pages vs. a Live Store: A static WordPress page can be cached and served over and over with no downside. WP EasyCart isn’t static — it keeps shopping cart contents full, users logged in, and tracking data moving as shoppers browse. When Varnish caches those dynamic pages, EasyCart can lose track of what’s actually happening on the front end.
Exclude Your Store, Cart & Account URLs
Most hosts let you disable Varnish for specific pages, or exclude it entirely. Here’s what to ask for.
Ask Your Host About Exclusions
Many hosting companies let you disable Varnish outright, or exclude certain URLs from caching. Others require you to ask via live chat or their support channels. A quick Google search for your host’s name plus “Varnish exclusion” usually turns up the exact steps.
Exclude Store, Cart & Account Pages
The typical exclusions you’ll want are your /store, /cart, and /account pages. Double-check the exact URLs on your own site — they may be unique — but excluding these three from Varnish covers nearly every caching issue.
💡 Exclusion guide for Cloudways hosting: support.cloudways.com/how-to-exclude-url-from-varnish — a good example of what to look for if you’re on a different host.
Signs You’re Dealing With a Caching Issue
It can be hard to spot caching in a dynamic store. Watch for these patterns.
- Empty cart that isn’t empty: You add items, but the cart keeps saying it’s empty.
- Products out of sync: Items don’t align correctly — some disappear, some show the wrong quantity.
- Login loop: You log into your EasyCart account and the page just keeps reloading without logging you in.
- Settings that won’t stick: You change a language or settings option in EasyCart but don’t see it take effect on the front end.
- Product edits that don’t show: You update a product’s title, price, or picture and the front end still shows the old version.
There are other symptoms caching can cause, but the rule of thumb is simple: a change should show up on your front end instantly. If it doesn’t, caching is involved somewhere.
More Places Caching Can Hide
Varnish isn’t the only caching layer that can interfere with your store. See our full caching troubleshooting guide for other sources and fixes.
Still Stuck After Excluding URLs?
Caching setups vary wildly by host and theme. If your cart’s still acting up after the exclusions, our support team can help track down what’s left.