![\"An](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/example-missed-schedule-error-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThis issue can be particularly frustrating, as it won\u2019t resolve itself. Once a post’s scheduled time has passed, WordPress won\u2019t try to publish it again. In addition, there’s no single reason you might run into this error. Instead, there are a few possible causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the simplest sources is an error in your WordPress settings. For example, you may have the incorrect time zone selected, which can result in scheduled posts going live at the wrong time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, the underlying cause could be more complicated. When you instruct your website to publish a post at a set point in the future, WordPress uses scheduling commands called ‘crons’ to get the job done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, unlike cron commands that exist on your site’s server, WordPress crons<\/a> don’t happen on a set schedule. Instead, they’re triggered when a user visits your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that your website will check for scheduled posts if and when a user visits your site. If you don\u2019t get any visits at the right time, you can encounter the missed schedule error. This can be especially troublesome on low-traffic sites, as you might go hours without a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you can still run into this problem even if you have consistent visitors. Caching plugins<\/a>, while extremely useful, can potentially interfere with the cron processes. Other potential causes include your site temporarily going down, a browser cache issue, or a lack of memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, even the more complex of these issues have relatively simple solutions. All you have to do is troubleshoot your missed schedule error to find the root cause. Once you understand where the problem is coming from, you can directly address it and get your site back to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t Now, let’s walk through four steps to help you troubleshoot your missed schedule error. Depending on the root cause, you might be able to fix the problem within the first step. Otherwise, keep working through these techniques one at a time until the issue is resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start by checking for the simplest cause: incorrect WordPress settings. Whether you recently made a change or are just beginning to configure your site<\/a>, a few adjustments could be all you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the right time zone. This is an easy setting to miss, especially if you were in a rush to set up your site. If your time zone isn\u2019t set correctly, your cron jobs<\/a> might be working perfectly fine \u2013 just on the wrong clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To view your site’s current time zone, go to Settings \u2192 General.<\/em> Scroll down to find the Timezone <\/em>field:<\/p>\n\n\n From there, make sure to choose a city that shares your time zone. Alternatively, you could also choose the exact Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) offset. Remember to click on Save Changes<\/em> when you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If that doesn\u2019t do the trick, you can also try clearing your browser cache<\/a>. This won\u2019t always fix the issue, but it\u2019s an easy step and a good maintenance task to perform regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, you can check your WordPress caching plugins. Similar to your browser, they could be saving outdated content that interferes with your cron jobs. Exactly how you proceed will depend on the plugin you’re using; let’s look at two examples. Most other caching plugins will work in a similar way<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re running the popular WP Super Cache<\/a>, go to Settings \u2192 WP Super Cache \u2192 Easy<\/em>. Then click on the Delete Cache <\/em>button:<\/p>\n\n\n If you\u2019re using W3 Total Cache<\/a>, the process is similar. Go to Performance \u2192 Dashboard<\/em>, and choose the empty all caches<\/em> button right at the top:<\/p>\n\n\n Then, check to see if your scheduled post issue has been solved. If you\u2019re still running into trouble, continue on to the next method.<\/p>\n\n\n A low memory limit is one of the most common WordPress errors<\/a> you can encounter. It has far-reaching effects, from limiting the media you can upload to causing the missed schedule error. As such, it’s a smart idea to increase it if you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, you’ll want to find out what your current memory limit is. You can do so by going to Tools \u2192 Site Health \u2192 Info \u2192 Server<\/em>. You\u2019ll see a section for PHP memory limit<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n If your limit is fairly high, as in the above example, this probably isn\u2019t causing your scheduling problem. However, if it\u2019s under 256M, we recommend that you increase it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, this is a fairly simple process. You’ll need to use your favorite File Transfer Protocol (FTP)<\/a> client to access your site’s files. We like FileZilla<\/a> because it\u2019s open-source and comes recommended by WordPress, but any program will do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open up your FTP client. Then go to your root folder and find the wp-config.php<\/em> file. Open it, and copy the following code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paste this code into the bottom of the file. It should be near the end, but before the That\u2019s all, stop editing!<\/em> message:<\/p>\n\n\n Save the file and re-upload it to your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re still having issues with scheduled posts after that, you can also consider reaching out to your web host. They can help you boost your site’s memory limit<\/a> further, although it may require you to upgrade your hosting plan.<\/p>\n\n\n Not all technical issues can be solved directly. Sometimes you need to use a workaround instead. Fortunately, WordPress thrives on helpful community-driven plugins. For this step, we\u2019ll be using Scheduled Post Trigger:<\/p>\n\n\nHow to fix the missed schedule error in WordPress (in 4 steps)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
1. Adjust your WordPress settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/WordPress-Time-Zone-Settings-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Clearing](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Clear-WP-Super-Cache-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Clearing](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/empty-cache-w3-plugin-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n2. Increase your site’s memory limit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHP-Memory-Limit-Example-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\ndefine('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Increase-Memory-Code-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n3. Install and active Scheduled Post Trigger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n