[NSFW] /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php is requesting for a HUGE amount of hits

  • Hello,

    For the past 3 days my server CPU usage has been at 100% for most parts of the days. I contacted my server company and they told me that /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php is requesting for a HUGE amount of hits (as seen here: https://snipboard.io/7yGzLJ.jpg, here: https://snipboard.io/3PLdQc.jpg, and here: https://snipboard.io/UpOQn4.jpg)

    *NOTE:
    I do have heartbeat enabled (here)

    I haven’t had this issue before but since 3 days ago, all of a sudden this is overloading my server for days causing CPU usage to 100%. This is having a negative impact on users on my site and not being able to do many functions such as backups.

    Can someone please help me fix this issue?
    My [ redundant link removed ]

    Best,

    • This topic was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Lori Boone.
    • This topic was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Jan Dembowski.

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

  • The most common reason for high CPU usage is the Heartbeat API generating frequent Ajax calls.

    DDoS attacks can also lead to high admin-ajax.php usage.

    I suggest enabling “under attack” mode in CloudFlare or blocking access to countries that you do not target. You can also try disabling heartbeat temporarily.

    Thread Starter Lori Boone

    (@pleazo)

    Hi @catalintech

    Thanks for your response.

    My server company (cloudways) told me to enable heartbeat to reduce the admin-ajax request (since I did not have it before). So opposite of what you are saying (which you can see here).

    Therefore I enabled heartbeat an hour ago and seems to keep the cpu low. Just wondering why I am getting complete opposite answers from my server company and you?

    Thread Starter Lori Boone

    (@pleazo)

    some more info…

    2 hours later with heartbeat enabled and I see the CPU going up high again to 80% for 1 min, then going back to 40% but still seeing a high request count in the past 15 min for:
    1. /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
    2. /?wc-ajax=get_refreshed_fragments&elementor_page_id=32

    (as seen here)

    So the high requests are still coming in, but having heart beat enabled keeps the CPU at 80% max for a short while then comes back down to 20-40% (as opposed to 100% CPU for 5min + with heartbeat disabled).

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • The topic ‘[NSFW] /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php is requesting for a HUGE amount of hits’ is closed to new replies.