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Problem · hosting · updated October 9, 2026
Common Kinsta problems and how to fix them
Most Kinsta problems fall into a few areas: a site that will not load, a migration that stalls, caching that hides your changes, or DNS that has not caught up. Here are the ones that come up most, and what to check first.
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TL;DR
- A site that will not load is often DNS or SSL, not WordPress.
- Migrations stall on large files or restrictive plugins.
- Caching and the CDN can hide changes you just made.
- Email is separate from hosting, so plan for it in advance.
- Check the exact layer that failed before you rebuild the site.
On this page: Why things go wrong · Site will not load · Migration stalls · Changes do not show · Emails and DNS · Performance and limits · Symptom to fix · Where this fits
Why things go wrong
A managed WordPress site depends on a few layers: DNS, the host’s platform, WordPress itself and any CDN in front. Most problems sit at one layer, and testing which one fails is faster than changing everything.
The useful habit is to separate “the server is fine but the site is slow” from “the site is unreachable”, because the two lead to very different fixes.
The site will not load
An unreachable site is usually a DNS or SSL problem rather than WordPress. If the dashboard is healthy, the platform is running and the issue is how traffic reaches it.
Confirm the domain’s DNS points to the host, that the SSL certificate is active rather than pending, and that you are testing the right domain. Propagation can take time after a change.
A migration stalls
Migrations fail on size, timeouts or plugins that hard-code paths. The import can also leave a partial copy behind that blocks a second attempt.
- Check the archive size against your plan’s limits before you start.
- Disable caching and security plugins that block the migration tool.
- Run the migration again after clearing a partial import.
- Split very large sites into steps rather than one large transfer.
Changes do not show
Caching is the usual culprit. The platform caches pages and serves files through a CDN, so a change can be live while you still see the old version.
Clear the site cache and the CDN cache, then check in a private window. If it appears there but not in your browser, the fix is your local cache, not the site.
Emails and DNS
Hosting and email are separate. Changing DNS for the site can break mail if the mail records are moved along with it.
Check that the MX and authentication records are intact after any DNS change, and send a test message after you switch name servers.
Performance and plan limits
Slowness and errors are often about the plan you are on rather than the code. Visits, storage and PHP workers are capped, and bursts can hit those caps.
Review the dashboard metrics for the period, confirm your plan’s limits, and upgrade before a launch rather than during one. Check the current pricing first, since plans change.
Symptom to fix
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Site unreachable | DNS or SSL not set up | Point DNS and activate SSL |
| Migration fails | Size, timeout or plugins | Check limits and disable blockers |
| Changes do not show | Page or CDN cache | Clear both caches |
| Email stops after a move | DNS mail records changed | Restore the records and test email |
| Site slows at peaks | Plan limits reached | Review metrics and upgrade |
Where this fits
Start with the hosting hub. For the basics read what Kinsta is, and for the setup steps see how to set up Kinsta.
Frequently asked
Is my site lost if it will not load?
No. If the dashboard is healthy, the site data is intact; the problem is usually DNS, SSL or caching in front of it.
Can I migrate a large site myself?
Often yes, but large sites stall on size and timeouts. Check the limits first and consider a guided migration for very large builds.
Does Kinsta provide email?
Managed WordPress hosts generally focus on hosting rather than mailbox hosting, so plan for email separately.
Why does my change appear to some people and not others?
Caching. Different layers clear at different times, so purge the site and CDN caches after publishing.
Get the site loading again
Fix DNS, cache and migration stops.
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