How to Debug Slow Queries for WordPress Using Staq’s Query Tool

When managing a WordPress site, one of the common issues many administrators encounter is slow page load times due to inefficient database queries. At Staq, we understand the importance of smooth website operations. Hence, we’ve developed an advanced query monitoring tool.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use our proprietary query tool to identify and debug slow queries on your WordPress site.

Step-by-Step Guide to Debugging Slow Queries with Staq’s Query Tool:

1. Accessing the Query Tool:

• Login to your WordPress dashboard.
• Navigate to Staq Hosting.
• Under the Staq Hosting menu, click on Advanced.
• From the dropdown, select Monitor:

2. Enabling the Monitor:

• Once you’re on the Monitor page, you’ll see an option to Enable monitor. Click on it.
• Additionally, you have the option to monitor hooks by selecting Monitor hooks. This is useful if you believe a specific action or filter hook might be contributing to the query delay.

3. Reproducing the Issue:

• After enabling the monitor, visit the problematic page on your website or any other page you wish to debug.
• Take actions to reproduce the issue. This might involve refreshing the page, updating a post, or any other action that you suspect is causing the slow performance.

4. Viewing the Debug File:

• Once you’ve reproduced the issue, go back to Staq Hosting > Advanced > Monitor.
• Here, you’ll find an option labeled View debug file. Click on it.
• The debug file will display a detailed breakdown of all the queries executed during the page request, along with their execution times and any associated hooks.

5. Analyzing the Debug Information:

• Examine the listed queries to identify any that take an unusually long time to execute.
• Check associated hooks or functions to see if any plugins or themes are responsible for the slow queries.
• Pay particular attention to any queries that are executed multiple times or those that don’t utilize indexes effectively.

KB: How to optimize both PHP and AJAX speed requests

Once you’ve understand what is causing the issue, you may also want to look at this knowledge base to optimize PHP and AJAX speed requests for WordPress.