The easiest way to get the best LiteSpeed Cache settings for WordPress is to use the plugin's built-in presets. A preset applies a tested group of settings in one click, and your old settings are backed up first so you can go back. This guide explains each preset, which one to choose on Instant Access Internet Services hosting, and the few settings you should leave off.
What the LiteSpeed Cache presets do
Each preset includes everything in the one above it, plus more optimization. More optimization means more speed, but also a higher chance that a theme or plugin misbehaves.
| Preset | What it turns on | Needs QUIC.cloud? |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Page cache with a longer cache time, and browser caching. | No |
| Basic | Essentials plus mobile cache and image optimization. | Yes |
| Advanced | Basic plus Guest Mode, CSS/JS/HTML minification, JS defer, font display optimization, DNS prefetch, Gravatar cache, and removing query strings, WordPress emoji and noscript tags. | Yes |
| Aggressive | Advanced plus CSS and JS combine, critical CSS with asynchronous CSS loading, unique CSS, and lazy loading for iframes. | Yes |
| Extreme | Aggressive plus lazy loading for images, viewport images, delayed JavaScript, and inline CSS/JS added to combine. | Yes |
"Needs QUIC.cloud" means some of the preset's features use LiteSpeed's free online service. You connect once under LiteSpeed Cache > General by clicking Enable QUIC.cloud services and following the prompts. If you don't connect, the page cache still works; the online features just won't run.
Which preset should I choose?
- Online stores, membership sites and sites with lots of plugins: start with Essentials or Basic.
- Most blogs and business sites: start with Basic, test, then try Advanced. Advanced is the sweet spot for most sites.
- Simple sites where every point on a speed test matters: try Aggressive or Extreme, and test very carefully.
How to apply a LiteSpeed Cache preset
- Log in to WordPress (in cPanel, Domains > WordPress Management (WP Toolkit), then Log In on your site).
- Go to LiteSpeed Cache > Presets.
- Click Apply Preset under the preset you want and confirm.
- Purge the cache: hover over the LiteSpeed icon in the admin bar and click Purge All.
- Test your site in a private browser window: home page, menus (including on a phone), contact forms, sliders, search, and the cart and checkout if you sell online.
How to undo a preset
Every time you apply a preset, the plugin saves a backup of your previous settings.
- Go to LiteSpeed Cache > Presets and scroll down to the History section.
- Find the backup from before the change and click its restore link.
- Purge all, then retest.
You can also just apply a lower preset.
Settings to leave off on our hosting
| Setting | Where | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Object Cache | Cache > Object tab | Leave OFF. Redis and Memcached aren't available on shared plans, and turning it on can slow the site or cause errors. |
| Crawler | Crawler | Don't use. The crawler is not available on shared hosting. |
| Cache Logged-in Users | Cache > Cache tab | Leave at its default unless you know you need it. |
Keep Enable Cache ON. Also check Purge All On Upgrade (on the Cache > Purge tab) and turn it ON if it isn't already, so the cache clears after WordPress, theme or plugin updates.
Troubleshooting
My layout or menu broke after applying a preset
This is almost always CSS or JavaScript optimization (minify, combine, defer or delay), which starts at Advanced. Restore your previous settings from History or apply a lower preset, then purge all. To keep most of the speed, see the guide on minifying and combining CSS and JavaScript safely.
Images or iframes don't appear until I scroll
That's lazy loading (Aggressive and Extreme). It's normal for images below the fold. If something important is missing, apply a lower preset.
Can I change settings after applying a preset?
Yes. A preset just fills in normal settings. You can adjust any of them afterwards on the usual settings pages.
Related guides
- How to Minify and Combine CSS and JavaScript Safely with LiteSpeed Cache
- How to Optimize Images and Serve WebP with LiteSpeed Cache
- LiteSpeed Cache and WooCommerce: Settings for Online Stores
- How to Fix Website Problems Caused by LiteSpeed Cache
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and the Instant Access Internet Services team will help.
