Answer :
High CPU usage on shared hosting can cause slow loading, timeouts, and even temporary account limits. CPU overload usually happens when your website processes too many requests or runs inefficient code.
This article explains common causes and practical ways to reduce CPU usage on GHFS Hosting.
1. Enable Full Page Caching (Most Effective)
Caching reduces the number of PHP processes running on your account.
For WordPress:
Use one of the following plugins:
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LiteSpeed Cache (if supported)
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WP Super Cache
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W3 Total Cache
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WP Rocket
Benefits:
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Faster loading
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Less CPU usage
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Fewer PHP workers needed
2. Reduce the Number of Plugins (WordPress)
Every plugin adds extra load. Some consume a lot of CPU, especially:
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Security plugins with scanning
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Page builders
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Backup plugins running too often
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Analytics plugins
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E-commerce extensions
Solution:
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Remove unused plugins
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Replace heavy plugins with lightweight alternatives
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Disable auto-scanning features
3. Optimize Your Database
Heavy database queries increase CPU usage.
Reduce load by:
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Cleaning post revisions
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Removing spam/trash comments
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Optimizing tables
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Using a plugin like WP-Optimize
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Using WordPress Toolkit optimization features in Plesk
4. Limit Heartbeat API (WordPress)
WordPress Heartbeat triggers background CPU activity.
Reduce it by using:
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Heartbeat Control plugin
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Or set the interval higher
This decreases admin panel CPU usage.
5. Use a CDN (Cloudflare Recommended)
A CDN offloads traffic from your hosting account.
Benefits:
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Fewer PHP requests
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Lower CPU usage
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Faster global performance
Cloudflare also caches static content, reducing load further.
6. Optimize Images and Static Files
Large images cause longer processing times.
Recommended actions:
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Compress images
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Convert to WebP
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Enable lazy loading
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Use GZIP compression
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Minify CSS and JS
7. Avoid Heavy Themes or Page Builders
Some themes require many server resources.
Solution:
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Use lightweight themes (Astra, GeneratePress, etc.)
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Limit the number of plugins in page builders
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Avoid unnecessary animations or large scripts
8. Disable Unused Cron Jobs
Cron jobs that run too frequently increase CPU usage.
For WordPress:
Disable built-in cron and replace with a system cron:
Add to wp-config.php:
Then create a real cron job in Plesk:
https://yourdomain.com/wp-cron.php every 30 minutes.
9. Prevent Bot and Spam Traffic
Bots can consume lots of CPU.
Solutions:
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Enable Cloudflare bot protection
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Block IPs with .htaccess
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Use security plugins with rate limiting
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Disable XML-RPC if unused
10. Limit WooCommerce CPU Usage (If You Run a Store)
WooCommerce is resource-heavy.
Improve performance by:
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Using object cache (Redis) if available
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Reducing unnecessary WooCommerce extensions
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Optimizing database tables
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Limiting queries from related products, recommendations, etc.
11. Reduce External API Requests
Websites that rely heavily on external API calls often slow down under load.
Solution:
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Cache API responses
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Reduce the frequency of calls
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Disable unused integrations
12. Upgrade to a Higher Plan or VPS (If Needed)
If your site is growing, shared hosting may not be enough.
Consider upgrading if:
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You regularly hit CPU limits
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Your traffic increases
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You run WooCommerce or large sites
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Your site becomes slow during peak hours
A VPS offers dedicated CPU and RAM.
13. When to Contact GHFS Hosting Support
You should contact support if:
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CPU usage remains high after optimization
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You need help finding the cause of CPU spikes
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You want performance recommendations
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You are unsure whether you need a plan upgrade
Support can analyze logs and help optimize your setup.
