Title here
Summary here
Auto-Publish Missed Schedule
Automatically detect and publish posts that missed their scheduled time. WordPress sometimes fails to publish scheduled posts on time — this module checks for and publishes any posts stuck in “missed schedule” status.
Use Cases
- Fix the frustrating “Missed Schedule” error that leaves posts unpublished
- Ensure scheduled content goes live even on low-traffic sites
- Maintain consistent publishing schedules without manual intervention
- Peace of mind that your scheduled posts will actually publish
The Problem
WordPress relies on “WP-Cron” (a pseudo-cron system) to publish scheduled posts. WP-Cron only runs when someone visits your site. If no one visits during the scheduled publish time, the post can get stuck with a “Missed Schedule” status.
This commonly happens on:
- New sites with low traffic
- Sites that have quiet periods (nights, weekends)
- Sites with aggressive caching that bypass WP-Cron
How It Works
- The module runs a check periodically (on page loads)
- It looks for posts with “future” status where the publish date has passed
- Any found posts are immediately published
- The fix is seamless — posts appear published as expected
Where to Find It
Location: Simply enable the module in Switchboard. It works automatically in the background with no configuration needed.
No Configuration Needed
This module has no settings. Enable it, and it immediately starts monitoring for and fixing missed scheduled posts.
What Gets Fixed
| Post Status | Scheduled Date | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Future | In the past | Published immediately |
| Future | In the future | No action (correct behavior) |
| Published | Any | No action (already live) |
| Draft | Any | No action (not scheduled) |
Diagnosis: Do You Need This?
Check if you have missed schedule issues:
- Go to Posts → All Posts
- Look for posts showing “Missed Schedule” in red
- If you see any, this module will fix them automatically
If you’ve never seen missed schedule issues, you might not need this module — but it doesn’t hurt to have it enabled as insurance.
Technical Details
When It Runs
The check runs on admin page loads and periodically via WP-Cron. This ensures:
- Posts are caught on your next admin visit
- Regular checks happen if cron is working
- Multiple safety nets for publishing
Database Query
The module runs an efficient query that:
- Only checks posts with
post_status = 'future' - Only looks at posts where
post_dateis in the past - Updates status to
publishfor matching posts
Alternative Solutions
If you frequently have missed schedule issues, consider these additional fixes:
| Solution | Effort | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| This module | None | Quick fix, most sites |
| Real server cron | Medium | High-traffic sites |
| Disable WP-Cron + real cron | Medium | Technical users |
| Managed WordPress hosting | None | Hosts handle cron properly |
FAQ
Why does WordPress miss scheduled posts?
WordPress uses WP-Cron, which only runs when someone visits your site. If no one visits during the scheduled time window, the post isn’t triggered. This is a known WordPress limitation.Will this publish posts before their scheduled time?
No. The module only publishes posts where the scheduled time has already passed. Posts scheduled for the future remain scheduled.Does this affect site performance?
No. The check is lightweight and only runs occasionally. It uses an optimized database query that executes in milliseconds.What if I want a post to stay unpublished even though it missed?
Change the post status to “Draft” before enabling this module, or after it publishes, unpublish it. The module only acts on posts with “Future” status.Does this work with custom post types?
Yes, it works with any post type that uses WordPress’s standard scheduling system.If you consistently have missed schedule issues, consider asking your hosting provider about setting up a real server cron job. This module is a great safety net, but proper cron is the ideal solution.
This module fixes symptoms, not the root cause. The root cause is usually low traffic or caching issues. For mission-critical publishing, consider using a real cron job.
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