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How to Run a URL as a Cron Job Using WP Crontrol

25 threads Sep 10, 2025 Plugin → Wp crontrol

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Many WordPress users discover the WP Crontrol plugin when they need to automate a task, such as syncing data or processing imports, only to find that their hosting provider doesn't offer cPanel access for setting up traditional server cron jobs. A common scenario involves plugin instructions that say "set up a cron job to fetch this URL," leaving users unsure how to proceed with a WordPress-based solution.

This guide explains the correct way to use WP Crontrol to create a cron event that accesses a specific URL, a frequent point of confusion based on community support threads.

Why You Can't Just Paste a URL into WP Crontrol

Unlike server-level cron systems that execute commands directly, WordPress's built-in WP-Cron system works by triggering specific PHP functions (known as 'hooks' or 'actions') when the site is visited. The WP Crontrol plugin is an interface for managing these WordPress cron events; it is not a direct replacement for a server's cron daemon.

When you create a new cron event in WP Crontrol, you are not scheduling a command to run a URL. You are scheduling a specific PHP function to be executed. Therefore, simply pasting a URL (e.g., https://example.com/wp-content/plugins/my-plugin/cron.php) into the event creation form will not work, as the plugin expects executable PHP code, not a web address.

The Correct Method: Creating a PHP Cron Event

To reliably trigger a URL on a schedule, you must use WP Crontrol's "PHP Cron Event" feature. This allows you to write a small snippet of PHP code that will be executed when the cron event runs. The standard function to fetch a URL in WordPress is wp_remote_get().

Here is a step-by-step tutorial:

  1. In your WordPress admin area, navigate to Tools → Cron Events.
  2. Click the Add New button.
  3. For the Event Type, select PHP Cron Event.
  4. In the large text area, enter your PHP code. For a basic URL call, the code should look like this: 
    wp_remote_get( 'https://your-website.com/your-cron-url.php' );
    Replace the example URL with the actual one provided by your other plugin (e.g., from WP All Import, Amelia, or a connector plugin).
  5. Choose a schedule (e.g., Once Hourly, Twice Daily, etc.) or create a custom one.
  6. Click Add Event.

The event is now scheduled. WordPress will execute that code and fetch the URL each time the event triggers.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Timeout Issues: If the script at the URL takes a long time to run, it might timeout before finishing. You can increase the timeout limit by adding an argument to the function: 
    wp_remote_get( 'https://your-website.com/your-slow-script.php', array( 'timeout' => 600 ) ); // 10 minutes
  • WordPress Loading: If your target URL is a standalone PHP file, ensure it properly loads the WordPress environment (usually with require_once('wp-load.php');) so it can access WordPress functions and database connections. Many plugins provide URLs that already handle this.
  • Server Cron is Better: It is widely acknowledged that for sites with low traffic, relying on WordPress's cron system (which only fires when a visitor loads a page) can be unreliable. For crucial tasks, the best practice is to disable the default WP-Cron by adding define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true); to your wp-config.php file and then setting up a real server cron job to hit your site's wp-cron.php file directly every 5 or 15 minutes. WP Crontrol works perfectly in this setup—it manages the events, while the server cron ensures they run on time.

When to Contact the Other Plugin's Developer

If you continue to experience issues, the problem may not be with your WP Crontrol setup. The original plugin requesting the cron job may have specific requirements. As seen in multiple support threads, the WP Crontrol team often suggests that users contact the author of the plugin that provided the URL, as their implementation may not be ideally suited for WordPress's cron system. A well-coded plugin should register its own cron events using WordPress's API, eliminating the need for users to manually set anything up.

By following this method, you can effectively use WP Crontrol to automate URL-based tasks within the WordPress environment.

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