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Why Your Under Construction Page Won't Go Away (And How to Fix It)

23 threads Sep 10, 2025 Plugin → Under construction

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One of the most common issues users report with the Under Construction plugin is that the page remains visible even after the plugin has been deactivated or deleted. If you're seeing a stubborn "Under Construction" message, this guide will walk you through the most likely causes and their solutions.

Why This Happens: The Root Cause is Almost Always Caching

When you enable an Under Construction page, the plugin tells your website to serve a specific page to all visitors. To make websites load faster, various systems save a copy of that page. This is called caching. The problem occurs when these systems don't get the message that the Under Construction page has been turned off and continue to serve the old, saved copy.

Caching can exist in several places:

  • Browser Cache: Your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) saves pages you visit.
  • Plugin Cache: Caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache.
  • Server-Level Cache: Your web hosting provider may have its own caching system (e.g., Endurance Page Cache on Bluehost, SiteGround Optimizer, Cloudflare).
  • CDN Cache: Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare also cache content across their global networks.

How to Fix It: Clear Cache at Every Level

1. Clear Your Browser Cache

This is the first and easiest step. Simply refreshing the page is not enough. You must perform a hard refresh:

  • Windows/Linux: Press Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R.
  • Mac: Press Cmd + Shift + R.

For a more thorough clearance, open your browser's settings and clear its entire cached data.

2. Clear Your Caching Plugin

If you use a WordPress caching plugin, you must purge its cache after disabling Under Construction mode. Look for an option like "Purge All Cache," "Delete Cache," or "Clear All Cache" within the plugin's settings in your WordPress dashboard.

3. Clear Your Hosting Provider's Server Cache

This is a very common culprit. Many hosts run their own caching that is separate from any WordPress plugins. If you are on a host like Bluehost, HostGator, or SiteGround, you will likely need to log into your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel) to find the cache management tool. The exact location varies by host, so you may need to consult your host's documentation.

4. Clear Your CDN Cache (If You Use One)

If you use a service like Cloudflare, you need to purge its cache as well. Log into your Cloudflare dashboard, navigate to the "Caching" section, and click "Purge Everything."

Other Less Common Solutions

Check for Conflicting Plugins or Themes

In rare cases, a conflict with another plugin or your theme can cause issues. As a test, try temporarily disabling all other plugins besides Under Construction Page. If the problem resolves, reactivate them one by one to identify the conflict. You can also temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

Delete the Plugin via FTP/File Manager

If you cannot access your WordPress dashboard due to a white screen or other critical error, you can remove the plugin manually. Connect to your site via FTP or use your host's File Manager. Navigate to wp-content/plugins/ and delete the under-construction-page folder. This will completely remove the plugin and its code from your site.

Important Note on Website Security

It's crucial to understand that the Under Construction Page plugin is designed to inform visitors that your site is being worked on. It is not a security tool. As seen in the sample threads, spam comments can still be submitted through other methods like the REST API. For a true development or maintenance lockdown, you should use a different method, such as password-protecting the directory via your hosting control panel.

By methodically working through these caching layers, you should be able to resolve the issue and successfully remove the Under Construction page from your live site.

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