WordPress Deleted Page Still Showing [Fixed]

When you delete a page in WordPress, you expect it to vanish from your website. However, sometimes deleted pages continue to haunt you, showing up unexpectedly.

However, depending on various factors, such as caching, server configurations, or database inconsistencies, the deleted content may still be accessible to users.

Understanding the Problem

Before diving into solutions, let’s understand why deleted pages might still linger:

1. Caching: Cached versions of your site can persist even after deletion.
2. Database Glitches: Corrupted database entries or incomplete deletions can cause this issue.
3. Redirects: Incorrect redirects or cached redirects may lead to the old page showing up.

Manual Solutions (Without Plugins)

1. Clear Browser Cache

Sometimes, the deleted page may still be visible due to browser caching. To resolve this issue, follow these steps to clear your browser cache:

• In your web browser, navigate to the settings or preferences menu.
• Find the option to clear browsing data or cache.
• Select the appropriate time range (e.g., “All time”) and ensure that the cache or temporary files option is selected.
• Click on the “Clear data” or similar button to clear the cache.
• Refresh the page, and the deleted content should no longer appear.

2. Check Server Cache

If your server has caching enabled, the deleted content may still be served from the cache. To address this, follow these steps:

• Access your web hosting control panel or server management interface.
• Look for caching options or settings, such as Varnish or server-level caching.
• Clear the cache using the provided tools or options.
• Optionally, you can disable caching temporarily while troubleshooting the issue.
• After clearing the cache, refresh the page to see if the deleted content is no longer visible.

3. Database Cleanup

In some cases, deleted content may still exist in the WordPress database, causing it to be displayed on the site. To perform a database cleanup manually, follow these steps:

• Access your WordPress site’s database using a tool like phpMyAdmin or through your web hosting control panel.
• Backup your database to ensure you can restore it if anything goes wrong.
• Look for the “wp_posts” table (replace “wp_” with your WordPress database prefix if it’s different).
• Browse through the table to identify any entries corresponding to the deleted content.
• Delete the relevant rows from the “wp_posts” table.
• Optionally, you can also check the “wp_postmeta” table for metadata associated with the deleted content and remove any related entries.
• After cleaning up the database, refresh the page to confirm that the deleted content is no longer visible.

3. Check Permalinks

• Go to Settings > Permalinks and save settings again. This can resolve unexpected behavior.

4. Verify Google Indexing

• Search “site:yourdomain.com/yourpage” in Google. If the deleted page still shows up, it might be indexed.

Fixing WordPress Deleted Page Still Showing Issue with Plugins

When a deleted page continues to appear on your WordPress site, it’s essential to resolve the issue promptly to maintain a seamless user experience and prevent SEO problems. Fortunately, several WordPress plugins can help you address this issue effectively.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fix the problem using plugins:

1. WP Rocket

WP Rocket is a powerful caching plugin that includes features to clear cache for specific pages or the entire site. Follow these steps to use WP Rocket to resolve the issue:

1. Install and Activate WP Rocket:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
   • Search for “WP Rocket.”
   • Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
2. Clear Cache:
   • After activating WP Rocket, go to “Settings” > “WP Rocket.”
   • Navigate to the “Cache” tab.
   • Click on the “Clear Cache” button to clear the cache for your entire site.
3. Clear Browser Cache:
   • Instruct your website visitors to clear their browser cache to ensure they see the updated version of your site without the deleted page.

2. Yoast SEO

Yoast SEO is a popular WordPress SEO plugin that offers features to manage your site’s search engine visibility and control indexation of pages. Follow these steps to use Yoast SEO to fix the problem:

1. Install and Activate Yoast SEO:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
   • Search for “Yoast SEO.”
   • Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
2. Configure Search Appearance:
   • Go to “SEO” > “Search Appearance” in your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to the “Content Types” tab.
   • Disable the option to show deleted pages or posts in search results.
3. Update Search Engine Index:
   • After making the necessary changes, Yoast SEO will automatically update the search engine index to reflect the deleted page’s removal.