SG Optimizer (GZip) Crashes Website

  • Resolved jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)


    6 years, 1 month ago

    Related Topic: Gzip Broke Site

    Every time we activate GZip using SG Optimizer, our website crashes with a 500 Error. We have narrowed down the issue to a conflict between SG’s and WP Rocket’s Gzip htaccess codes.

    The problem we have is that WP Rocket – when activated – injects a GZip code automatically into our htaccess file, so there’s no toggle switch to deactivate it. Also, if we remove WP Rocket’s code from our htaccess file, it will be automatically added at next plugin update.

    Further, both SG and WP Rocket keep claiming that their plugins are mutually-compatible. In this case, I disagree.

    Based on the above, recommend SG contact WP Rocket to strongly suggest they add a toggle switch to activate/deactivate their GZip compression feature. We also opened a ticket with WP Rocket to request the same. We’re convinced, however, SG has more horsepower than we do to help make this happen.

    Also, would like to know how can two GZip codes conflict with each other when they are supposed to be written for the same server? (e.g., Apached, NGINX, etc.)

    Any help to clarify and/or fix this issue is appreciated.

    Thanks!

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Thread Starter jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)

    Update:

    WP Rocket responded by indicating they do not plan to add a toggle switch for Gzip in their plugin. Reason: Prevent “bloatware.”

    Also, it appears the problem (plugin conflict) is solved as follows:

    (1) Deactivate SG Optimizer and WP Rocket
    (2) Clear cache (both back-end and front-end)
    (3) Reactivate SG Optimizer
    (4) Reactivate WP Rocket

    Hope this helps the community.

    Cheers!

    Plugin Author Hristo Pandjarov

    (@hristo-sg)

    SiteGround Representative

    Why do you use WP Rocket when you have the SG Optimizer?

    Thread Starter jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)

    Hi Hristo,

    Good question. WP Rocket offers features not available with SG Optimizer.

    If you’re familiar with WP Rocket, you can easily identify the differences (e.g., cache options, integration with Cloudflare, minification options, etc.). Also, with WP Rocket turned on, the number of HTTP requests drops dramatically for our website.

    Do you have any other compelling reasons why we shouldn’t be using WP Rocket?

    Cheers!

    Thread Starter jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)

    Hi Hristo,

    One more thing … Would it be helpful to update your article?

    Click here: SiteGround Partners with WP Rocket

    Cheers!

    Plugin Author Hristo Pandjarov

    (@hristo-sg)

    SiteGround Representative

    The only thing that WP Rocket provides more is lowering the number of HTTP requests sites make because they have CSS combination by default. That’s something I am not really big fan of because with parallel downloads and HTTP2 higher number of requests is not such a big deal and can be actually faster. However, some sites go above the normal number of requests loading dozens of plugins and their CSS files which is why in the next version of the OG Optimize we will add that functionality on a switch too.

    The SG Optimizer cache is much faster than any other plugin out there on our environment. Simply because WP Rocket stores cache in files, and to reach those files your requests need to go through the WP framework at least while with the Optimizer, they don’t even reach the web server. Added bonus is that practically, cached results don’t consume (or consume minimal) your hosting resources.

    This said, WP Rocket is a good plugin and I don’t see why we should update the above mention article. We still like it and it works great on plans that don’t have the Dynamic Cache available, like the SiteGround StartUp plan.

    Thread Starter jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)

    Thanks, Hristo.

    Appreciate very much your help in this forum!

    Don’t get me wrong, we love SG Optimizer. However, we believe a plugin performance also depends on the theme, custom codes, and plugins installed for each website.

    Moving along, as SiteGround updates its SG Optimizer plugin, kindly consider contacting WP Rocket to fix the conflict between SG Optimizer and WP Rocket’s Gzip functionality.

    Recap: WP Rocket installs Gzip automatically, but when we activate SG Optimizer’s Gzip functionality (purposely or in error), our site crashes. The only way to prevent this is to perform the steps outlined above. It appears that as long as WP Rocket’s htaccess code is placed above SG Optimizer’s, everything is OK.

    Your call. Would be nice if you can test the issue at your end using your tools, etc.

    Cheers!

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • The topic ‘SG Optimizer (GZip) Crashes Website’ is closed to new replies.