A WooCommerce store on LiteSpeed only truly runs fast when the cache is properly tuned for a webshop. Incorrectly configured cache causes an inaccurate shopping cart, outdated stock, or prices that stay stuck. This article shows you step by step how to correctly configure the LiteSpeed Cache plugin, which pages you need to exclude, and how to check that everything works as it should.
Why WooCommerce needs different cache settings
A regular website can be cached almost entirely: the content rarely changes per visitor. A webshop is different. The shopping cart, checkout process, and customer account display different information for each visitor. If you cache these pages, a customer might suddenly see someone else’s shopping cart, or an “out of stock” message could remain even when stock is replenished. That’s why LiteSpeed Cache has special WooCommerce rules that automatically determine which pages may and may not be cached.
The advantage of LiteSpeed over other caching solutions is that caching works at the server level rather than only through PHP. This saves considerably on loading time, especially for shops with many products and simultaneous visitors.
Installing and connecting LiteSpeed Cache
Before you begin, the server itself must be running the LiteSpeed web server. With hosting on LiteSpeed servers, this is already present by default; you only need to install the plugin in WordPress.
Install the plugin
Go to Plugins > Add New, search for “LiteSpeed Cache”, and install and activate the plugin from LiteSpeed Technologies.
Check the server connection
Go to LiteSpeed Cache > Dashboard. Is there a green checkmark next to “LSCache is active”? Then the plugin correctly recognizes the server. If you don’t see this, check with your hosting provider whether LiteSpeed is actually running as the web server.
Enable WooCommerce detection
Go to the Cache > Exclude tab. The plugin automatically recognizes WooCommerce once it’s active and already fills in default exceptions for the shopping cart, checkout, and my account pages.
The right settings for WooCommerce
After installation, there are a few settings you should manually check or adjust.
- Cache > Excludes: check that the shopping cart, checkout, and account pages are set to “do not cache”. With a standard WooCommerce installation, the plugin fills this in automatically, but check this after every major WooCommerce update.
- Cache > Purge: configure the cache to be automatically cleared upon stock changes and new orders. This keeps the product page always up to date without you having to manually reset it.
- Optimize > CSS/JS Combine: use this carefully. With many plugins, combining scripts can break the checkout page. Test this first in a staging environment.
- ESI (Edge Side Includes): this allows you to cache dynamic components, such as the shopping cart icon, separately from the rest of the page. This way, almost the entire page can still be cached while the shopping cart icon keeps working correctly.
Testing the cache and troubleshooting
After configuring, always test whether the store works properly. Open the site in an incognito window, add a product to the shopping cart, and check whether the number of products in the menu is correct. Then order a test product and check whether the stock in the admin updates immediately.
If you notice strange things, such as outdated prices or a shopping cart that doesn’t update, first clear the entire cache via LiteSpeed Cache > Toolbox > Purge All. If the problem persists, check whether another plugin is also doing caching (for example, a separate pagespeed plugin) and disable duplicate caching, as this often causes conflicts.
For recurring problems, it’s best to check logs and server configuration via Plesk, where at Tandata you can also check the LiteSpeed settings per domain. If you’re unsure whether something is related to the server or the plugin, contact support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I combine LiteSpeed Cache with another cache plugin?
No, we advise against this. Two cache plugins at the same time often causes conflicts and unpredictable behavior. Only use LiteSpeed Cache if you’re on a LiteSpeed server.
Why does my shopping cart sometimes not match up?
This usually happens because the shopping cart page is accidentally being cached. Check the Exclude settings and enable ESI for dynamic components such as the shopping cart icon.
Does LiteSpeed Cache also work with other page builders like Elementor?
Yes, the plugin works independently of the page builder used. Always test specific pages after installation, such as landing pages with forms, to make sure everything continues to work properly.
How often should I clear the cache?
With correct settings, this happens automatically after stock changes and orders. Manual clearing is only needed after major changes to the theme, plugins, or layout.
Conclusion
LiteSpeed Cache noticeably speeds up a WooCommerce store, provided you correctly exclude the shopping cart, checkout, and account pages and use ESI for dynamic components such as the shopping cart icon. Test after every change whether ordering and logging in continue to work smoothly. If your shop isn’t running on a LiteSpeed server yet, check out the options for web hosting with NVMe storage and Plesk.