How to Fix Missed Scheduled Post Error in WordPress

So, you prepared a few posts to be published while you’re away? That’s great, as long as the WordPress scheduling feature does its job. The problem is, it doesn’t always work. Then, you need to scramble and rush to find how to fix missed scheduled post error in WordPress. Let us comfort you first. It’s not an uncommon error, and just like fixing a white screen of death, and there are multiple solutions and different ways to troubleshoot it. With that said, here’s what to do if you want WordPress missed schedule error messages to stop.

Why doesn’t WordPress publish posts you scheduled?

So, you wrote the article, edited it, and set a date and time it will go public. The task of setting a date for the publishing is handled through “cron”, a WordPress function. The problem is, you’ll only get the notification inside the Admin Section that you missed the schedule, not that there was an error. And if you have to keep checking for every post, that beats the purpose. At that point, you might as well publish it manually.

To remedy that situation, here are 4 methods to solve the WordPress missed scheduled post error:

1. Easy Option. Install a dedicated WordPress addon

In essence, the add-on creates a cron job that will keep track of the default cron job set by WordPress. Sounds redundant, but it works, and without any input on your side. Let’s get into it.

1. Here’s a short reminder of how to install WordPress plugins.
   If you get locked out of Admin Section, you can also download and install the plugin via FTP.
2. In the search bar, search for ‘Scheduled Post’ or ‘Scheduled Post Trigger’
3. Choose one of the addons.
   Look at their rating, reviews, and whether they are compatible with your version of WordPress.
4. As soon as you install and activate any of them, any previous missed scheduled posts will be taken care of.

2. Edit your wp-config.php file in FTP

People are often reluctant to do this, as it requires you to edit one of the vital documents. However, this can be a permanent way to fix the issue. Before you start, you need to choose a method to access the files for your WordPress website. There are two easy ways:

1. Log in to the cPanel on your hosting website. This requires credentials given by the hosting at the time of purchase. It’s an easier way since we assume you sign in every once in a while. When inside, look for a category titled Files, Storage, Data, or Advanced. You’ll know which by spotting an app titled FTP or File Manager inside.
2. Download and install an FTP client. This again requires login credentials set at the time you bought the hosting. When you run the program, you’ll require hostname, protocol, password, and protocol to gain access.

When you chose the method, follow these steps:

1. Find a folder titled root, www, public_html, or yoursitename.
2. Inside of it, look for a document titled wp-config.php.
   It might only be called wp-config if your extensions are hidden.
3. Right-click on it, and choose View/Edit.
4. Look for a line like this:
   define (‘DISABLE_WP_CRON’, true);
5. If it exists, you can either delete it or change true to false. Save the file afterward, and do a quick post scheduling test.
6. If it doesn’t, WordPress cron was enabled in the first place but malfunctioned. Try the fix below.

3. Disable WP cron, then enable alternate WP cron

A common reason WP cron is enabled but doesn’t work is the conflict with the server settings. To fix that, try this.

1. Once again, find wp-config.php in your WordPress root folder.
2. Right-click to View/Edit.
3. If you deleted the line we mentioned above, or if you changed it from true to false, you need to restore it or copy it back. To clarify, the line needs to look like this:
   define (‘DISABLE_WP_CRON’, true);
4. This time, you also need to add another line underneath:
   define(‘ALTERNATE_WP_CRON’, true);
5. Make sure both lines are above the line /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */.
6. Save the file. Do a quick test to see if the problem with WordPress post scheduling is gone.

4. Hard Option. Add WP cron in cPanel.

If the options above failed, and you don’t like the idea of adding a plugin, you can change the settings on the server and add a manual cron. Remember that conflict we mentioned? It should be gone afterward. Here are the instructions to solve the error with scheduled posts in WordPress.

1. Follow the steps above, delete the second line (ALTERNATE_WP_CRON), but leave the first.
2. Now, sign in to your cPanel, and look for the app named Cron Jobs.
   It will most likely be under the Advanced category.
3. Scroll down to find a section that allows you to add a new cron job.
4. Under Common Settings or Time Interval drop-down list, choose a time period.
5. To not overwhelm your server with requests, we suggest choosing once per hour or twice per hour at a maximum.
6. Find a text box titled Command.
7. Paste the following command into the empty box.
   wget -O /dev/null https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron
8. Don’t forget to change yourwebesite.com with the actual name of your website. For example, on our website, it would be:
   wget -O /dev/null https://wpthinker.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron
9. Click on Add New Cron Job, Save, OK, or Apply, depending on the option at the bottom.

5. Add WP Cron in Ubuntu

If you are on a Ubuntu server and want to add manual cron job, follow these steps.

1. Login to SSH.
2. type crontab -e and press Enter.
3. At the bottom of the file paste the following
   wget -O /dev/null https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron
4. Save the file by pressing Ctrl + O.
5. Exit the file editor by pressing Ctrl + X.