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How to fix a storefront change that is not showing

You saved in WooDonkey. The storefront still looks old. That is usually cache, not a lost save. Shoppers still check out on WooCommerce.

What it is

This is not a sidebar item. After Save or Save changes, WooDonkey pushes config to the companion. Full-page cache on the store, a caching plugin, or a CDN can keep the old HTML. There is no button labeled Clear cache, Purge cache, or Refresh storefront.

How it helps you

You can tell whether the change was not saved, the companion is down, Test mode is hiding it from shoppers, or a cache is serving an old page.

What is included

  • Automatic push: Saving writes the setting, then WooDonkey pushes the fresh config to the companion. There is no merchant button for that push.
  • Companion pull: The companion also pulls config on its own. A short local cache lasts 5 minutes. If the push cannot reach the store, the pull is the fallback. That can take minutes. There is no countdown in the dashboard.
  • Last-known-good copy: The companion keeps a last-known-good spec so promotions and widgets keep running if a pull fails. An older spec can stay until a fresh push or pull lands.
  • Purge on push: After a successful push, the companion purges full-page caches it knows: WP Rocket, SiteGround, LiteSpeed, W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache, Cache Enabler, and WordPress object cache. That purge does not run on the companion’s own pull.
  • Not auto-purged: Cloudflare and other CDNs are not in that list. Purge those in the CDN or host panel.
  • No Clear cache in WooDonkey: The dashboard has no Clear cache, Purge cache, or Refresh storefront button.
  • Companion check: Sidebar Site Settings, then Settings, General. Card WooDonkey Companion. Refresh control Check again. Healthy: The plugin is installed and active, or Connected – verified via the last sync.
  • Test mode: Not every screen has it. Checkout Fields has Test mode. Emails and Automations has Test mode (admins only) and Master safety switch. When those are on, shoppers may not see the change.
  • Shipping carts: After shipping rules change, the companion invalidates WooCommerce shipping transients. Shoppers may still need a fresh cart load.
  • Store data sync: Settings, Store data sync refreshes the WooDonkey local copy of products, customers, and orders. It does not refresh the shopper page.
  • Not this page: No ZIP replace (that is How to fix a dropped store connection). No Finish setup. No shortcode for cache.

How to turn on and manage each capability

Confirm the save

  1. Open the WooDonkey screen where you made the change.
  2. Click Save or Save changes if you have not already.

Reload the storefront

  1. Open the WooCommerce page that should show the change.
  2. Reload with a hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R) so the browser is not serving its own cache.

Check the companion

  1. In the sidebar, open Site Settings, then Settings.
  2. On General, on the WooDonkey Companion card, click Check again. If the status is unhealthy, use How to fix a dropped store connection.

Purge cache outside WooDonkey

  1. Clear the browser cache, or try a private window.
  2. If the page is still old, purge Cloudflare or the host CDN, and purge the caching plugin if it is still serving the old HTML.

If Test mode is on

  1. On Checkout Fields, turn Test mode off if shoppers should see the fields.
  2. On Emails and Automations, turn Test mode (admins only) off and check Master safety switch if shoppers should get the live emails.

What to know before you start

  • The companion must be Active on WordPress.
  • The push after Save is automatic. There is no Clear cache button in WooDonkey.
  • Known caching plugins are purged on a successful push, not on a pull.
  • Cloudflare is manual.
  • Caching is the most common cause.

Problems you may hit, and how to fix them

  • Symptom: The change never saved. Fix: Click Save or Save changes on that screen.
  • Symptom: The plugin was not found on the store, or the token doesn’t match. Fix: Use How to fix a dropped store connection.
  • Symptom: Connected – verified via the last sync. Fix: None. The companion is healthy. Keep going with cache.
  • Symptom: Shoppers do not see Checkout Fields or emails. Fix: Turn Test mode off. On emails also check Master safety switch.
  • Symptom: Your browser still shows the old page. Fix: Hard refresh, or a private window.
  • Symptom: Cloudflare or the host still shows the old page. Fix: Purge that CDN or host cache. WooDonkey does not purge Cloudflare.
  • Symptom: WP Rocket or another named plugin still shows the old page after a push. Fix: Purge that plugin’s cache in WordPress.
  • Symptom: Cart shipping still shows the old method. Fix: Reload the cart or start a new cart. The companion already invalidates WooCommerce shipping transients after a shipping change.
  • Symptom: You ran Store data sync and the shopper page is still old. Fix: Expected. Store data sync is the dashboard copy. Purge storefront cache instead.
  • Symptom: Still old after save, companion check, and cache purge. Fix: Open Support above Log out and create a ticket.

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