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Why Gzip Compression Might Not Show as Working in Speed Tests (And How to Fix It)

23 threads Sep 7, 2025 Plugin → Wp fastest cache

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If you've enabled Gzip compression in the WP Fastest Cache plugin but a speed testing tool like Pingdom or GTmetrix still reports it's not active, you're not alone. This is a common point of confusion for many users. This guide will explain why this happens and how to verify that Gzip is indeed working correctly on your server.

Why This Happens

The discrepancy often isn't a problem with your setup, but rather with how different testing tools report their findings. Based on numerous community reports, the WP Fastest Cache team has consistently noted that the Pingdom speed test tool, in particular, frequently shows a warning for Gzip compression even when it is successfully enabled and functioning. The tool does not provide detailed information to explain the warning, which can be misleading.

How to Properly Verify Gzip is Working

Instead of relying solely on Pingdom, it's recommended to use multiple methods to confirm your Gzip status.

  1. Use Google PageSpeed Insights: This tool from Google is generally more reliable for detecting Gzip compression. If it does not show a warning for text compression, your Gzip is likely working.
  2. Check with GTmetrix: GTmetrix is another trusted tool that provides more detailed information than Pingdom. A passing grade here is a good indicator that compression is active.
  3. Check Your Server Type: This is a critical step. The WP Fastest Cache plugin manages Gzip compression by modifying the .htaccess file, which only works on Apache servers. If your site runs on an Nginx server, the plugin's Gzip option will not work. In this case, Gzip must be enabled manually within your Nginx server configuration. The WP Fastest Cache team provides a specific tutorial for enabling Gzip on Nginx.
  4. Check for Plugin Conflicts: In some instances, other plugins can interfere with the cache or compression. If you suspect a conflict, try temporarily disabling other plugins to see if the Gzip warning disappears.

What to Do If Gzip Is Truly Not Working

If after following the steps above you confirm Gzip is not active, here are the most common solutions:

  • Apache Users: Ensure the .htaccess file is writable so the plugin can add the necessary rules. You can also try disabling and re-enabling the Gzip option in the plugin settings to force it to rewrite the rules.
  • Nginx Users: Follow the tutorial linked above to manually add the Gzip configuration code to your server's Nginx configuration file.
  • All Users: After making any changes, always clear your site's cache and your browser cache before re-running tests.

Remember, if you are using a premium version of any plugin, support inquiries must be directed to the developer's official contact channels, as discussion of premium features is not permitted on the WordPress.org support forums.

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