[Plugin: WP Smush.it] More server issues?

I’m helping diagnose some load issues for a friend’s site. I noticed he has WP Smush.it installed and remembered how much the smush.it server issue interfered with my ability to upload images. Had to deactivate the plugin in order to make a post.

I thought WordPress only talks to the smush.it server during the initial upload. Is my understanding correct? Could server issues affect images already on the site at all? Or would the continuing plugin issues possibly be a factor in why the site itself sometimes will not load?

I am suspecting it’s more a db or host server issue, as sometimes even the dashboard will not load. However, when I had smush.it active on my sites, it would cause my dashboard to freeze and timeout from time to time.

…ideas?

Site: https://chartertrains.co.uk/

Thanks.

https://www.ads-software.com/extend/plugins/wp-smushit/