{"id":6719,"date":"2022-05-23T08:13:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T08:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/?post_type=ht_kb&#038;p=6719"},"modified":"2025-07-18T10:52:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T10:52:54","slug":"how-to-optimize-the-database","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/how-to-optimize-the-database\/","title":{"rendered":"How to optimize the database?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In this article, you will learn how you can optimize a database in a few really simple steps. This may help with ongoing issues that your site experience such as being slow or removing unnecessary content (spam comments, duplicated data, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1. Install and activate the WP-sweep plugin.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To install the plugin, you can search for it straight in your WordPress Dashboard (you can log in to your backend area by adding <strong>\/wp-admin<\/strong> at the end of your website&#8217;s URL, eg. <strong>https:\/\/mywebsite.com\/wp-admin<\/strong>).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on <strong>Add New<\/strong> (1) in your <strong>Plugins <\/strong>menu, then type<strong> wp-sweep <\/strong>(2) into the search bar. Press <strong>Install<\/strong> <strong>Now<\/strong> (3)<strong> <\/strong>next to the plugin<strong>,<\/strong> and then activate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a04937e8f023&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a04937e8f023\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1661\" height=\"824\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-.png 1661w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google--300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google--1024x508.png 1024w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google--768x381.png 768w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google--50x25.png 50w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google--1536x762.png 1536w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google--60x30.png 60w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Add-Plugins-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google--100x50.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1661px) 100vw, 1661px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once it\u2019s activated, you can find the plugin\u2019s settings in the <strong>Tools<\/strong>&nbsp;area of your WordPress dashboard and select <strong>Sweep<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a04937e8f4a5&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a04937e8f4a5\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1274\" height=\"961\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome.png 1274w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome-1024x772.png 1024w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome-768x579.png 768w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome-50x38.png 50w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome-60x45.png 60w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014-WordPress-Google-Chrome-100x75.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1274px) 100vw, 1274px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2. Optimize the database.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-ht-blocks-messages wp-block-hb-message wp-block-hb-message--withicon is-style-danger\">Before you do any sweep we would highly recommend <a aria-label=\"backup your database (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/how-can-i-backup-my-site-personal-backups\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">backing up your database<\/a>&nbsp;first as the optimization done by the plugin is irreversible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;re in the wp-sweep plugin options you will find a <strong>Database Sweep<\/strong> (1) option at the bottom of the page.  All you need to do is to press the <strong>Sweep button<\/strong> (2):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a04937e90214&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a04937e90214\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1732\" height=\"899\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep.png 1732w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep-1024x532.png 1024w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep-768x399.png 768w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep-50x26.png 50w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep-1536x797.png 1536w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep-60x31.png 60w, https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sweep-\u2039-wpxexample.net-\u2014Sweep-100x52.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1732px) 100vw, 1732px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re wondering what exactly will be cleaned up by the plugin, please read below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Revisions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Auto drafts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deleted comments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unapproved comments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spammed comments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deleted comments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orphaned post meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orphaned comment meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orphaned user meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orphaned term meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orphan term relationships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unused terms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duplicated post meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duplicated comment meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duplicated user meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duplicated term meta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transient options<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optimizes database tables<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>oEmbed caches in post meta<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-ht-blocks-messages wp-block-hb-message wp-block-hb-message--withicon\">Once the plugin indicates that the procedure is complete &#8211; congratulations! You&#8217;ve now optimized your database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you get stuck with anything discussed on this page, please get in touch with WPX Support Team via live chat (use the bottom right-hand widget) and they will respond and help within 30 seconds or less.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this article, you will learn how you can optimize a database in a few really simple steps. This may help with ongoing issues that your site experience such as being slow or removing unnecessary content (spam comments, duplicated data, etc.) Step 1. Install and activate the WP-sweep plugin. To&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":2,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"ht-kb-category":[30],"ht-kb-tag":[],"class_list":["post-6719","ht_kb","type-ht_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","ht_kb_category-website-help"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/6719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ht_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6719"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/6719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13651,"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/6719\/revisions\/13651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-category?post=6719"},{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpx.net\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-tag?post=6719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}