You install WP Crontrol to monitor cron jobs. It shows missed schedules. Red warnings. But your site works fine. No problems. That is frustrating because you do not know if you need to fix anything.
A common issue is that WP Crontrol shows every missed cron job, even minor ones. Some cron jobs are not critical. Site works fine without them. The plugin is not broken. Not all missed crons are emergencies.
Why WP Crontrol Shows Missed Cron Jobs
WordPress cron jobs run when someone visits your site. If no one visits for hours, cron jobs are missed. WP Crontrol shows them as missed. When someone visits, missed cron jobs run. Site catches up. No problem. Plugin shows history, not current emergency.
This is not WP Crontrol being bad. It shows you what happened. You decide if it matters.
Which Missed Cron Jobs You Can Ignore
- wp_version_check (checks for WordPress updates – runs again later)
- wp_update_plugins (plugin update checks – not urgent)
- wp_update_themes (theme update checks – not urgent)
- wp_scheduled_delete (deletes old posts – fine to miss)
- wp_privacy_delete_old_export_files (privacy exports – not critical)
These can be missed. Site works fine.
Which Missed Cron Jobs Need Attention
- woocommerce_cancel_unpaid_orders (cancels unpaid orders – important for stores)
- action_scheduler_run_queue (background jobs for many plugins)
- memberpress_retry_rules (membership access updates)
- wpseo_reindex_links (SEO link counts – important for SEO)
- backup_schedule (scheduled backups – if missed, backup not created)
Fix these by increasing site traffic or setting real cron.
How to Fix Missed Cron Jobs
- Install WP Crontrol
- Go to Tools → Cron Events
- Look for “Missed schedule” notices
- For critical jobs, run them manually by clicking “Run Now”
- Set up real cron job instead of WP-Cron
- Add to server crontab: wget -q -O – https://yoursite.com/wp-cron.php
Real cron runs on time every time. No more missed jobs.
How to Set Up Real Cron on Your Server
In cPanel: Cron Jobs → Add new cron job. Set to run every 15 minutes. Command: wget -q -O – https://yoursite.com/wp-cron.php
Add to wp-config.php: define(‘DISABLE_WP_CRON’, true);
This disables WP-Cron. Real cron handles everything. No missed jobs.
People Also Ask About WP Crontrol Missed Jobs
Why does WP Crontrol show missed cron jobs but site works fine?
Most missed cron jobs are not critical. Ignore minor ones. Fix critical ones.
Should I worry about missed cron jobs?
Depends on the job. Update checks: ignore. WooCommerce orders: fix.
Is WP Crontrol worse than Advanced Cron Manager?
Both show missed jobs. Same information. Both useful.
Final Thoughts
If WP Crontrol shows missed cron jobs, check which jobs are missed. Ignore update checks. Fix critical jobs (orders, backups, membership). Set up real cron for reliable scheduling.