Scheduled cleanup
Runs the database cleanup automatically on a daily or weekly schedule, so the tables never get a chance to accumulate.
What it does
The same cleanup, on a timer
Scheduled cleanup is a Vectro performance feature that runs the database cleanup automatically on a daily or weekly schedule using WP-Cron, so revisions and expired transients never accumulate.
This feature takes the database cleanup and puts it on a schedule. You choose daily or weekly, and Vectro runs the same cleanup automatically from then on, covering every category you have switched on, plus table optimisation if that is enabled.
It uses the retention setting you configured for the manual cleanup, so revisions are kept to the same number per post. There is no separate configuration to keep in sync.
Once it is set, the tables stay small permanently rather than growing between the occasions somebody remembers to run a cleanup by hand.
Why it matters
Manual maintenance is maintenance that stops happening
Running a database cleanup is easy to do once and easy to forget forever. Sites are usually cleaned when someone notices a problem, which means the tables spend most of their life in the bloated state rather than the clean one.
A schedule inverts that. Cleaning daily means the maximum accumulation is one day of revisions and transients rather than however long it has been since anyone last thought about it. It also keeps each run small and fast, instead of one enormous delete after a year of neglect.
How to use it
Set the frequency once
Technical detail
Scheduling depends on WP-Cron
The schedule is registered as a WP-Cron event. WP-Cron is not a real system scheduler – it is checked when someone visits your site, which means a site with very little traffic can see events fire late, or not at all overnight.
If exact timing matters, disable WP-Cron in wp-config.php and trigger wp-cron.php from a real server cron job instead. Vectro registers the same event either way, so the switch requires no change here.
wp-cron.php from a real server cron job.Compatibility
Vectro detects these and steps aside
You can override any automatic deferral from the Compatibility panel in Vectro’s dashboard if you would rather Vectro handle it.
Questions
Frequently asked
What does Vectro scheduled cleanup do?
Vectro scheduled cleanup runs the database cleanup automatically on a daily or weekly schedule using WP-Cron. It runs the same categories you have switched on for the manual cleanup and uses the same revision retention setting.
Does Vectro scheduled cleanup work with WP-Optimize?
Partly. If WP-Optimize is active, Vectro detects it and scheduled runs skip post revisions and table optimisation, leaving those to WP-Optimize. The other cleanup categories still run on your schedule.
How do I schedule automatic database cleanup in Vectro?
Go to Vectro > Performance in wp-admin, toggle Scheduled Auto-cleanup on, then choose daily or weekly. Run a manual cleanup first so the first scheduled run is not clearing a large backlog.
Is Vectro scheduled cleanup free or Pro?
Yes, Vectro scheduled cleanup is free. It is included in the free Vectro plugin on WordPress.org with no account required.
Why did my scheduled cleanup not run on time?
WP-Cron is triggered by site visits rather than a real system clock, so on a low traffic site scheduled events can fire late or be missed overnight. Disable WP-Cron in wp-config.php and call wp-cron.php from a server cron job if you need exact timing.
Related features
Automate the whole routine
Vectro Pro adds scheduled backups to cloud storage, running before each cleanup automatically. See Pro plans
Download Vectro free on WordPress.org
27 features across Security, Performance and Maintenance. No account required, no expiry, unlimited sites.