Why .htaccess Changes Take Time in LiteSpeed

Ever made changes to your .htaccess file and wondered why nothing happened? If you're on a LiteSpeed server, those changes need a bit of patience to kick in.

The 15-Minute Wait

Here's what happens when you update your .htaccess file:

• You make the changes (or your CMS does, like when WordPress updates permalinks)
• LiteSpeed doesn't read them immediately
• When it does read the file, it needs to convert the .htaccess rules to its own format
• Only then are the changes put into effect
• This whole process can take up to 15 minutes

Why the extra steps? LiteSpeed doesn't use .htaccess files directly like Apache does. It translates them into its own internal format for better performance.

How This Differs from Apache

If you've used Apache servers before, this might surprise you. Apache reads .htaccess changes instantly. The moment you save the file, boom - changes are live.

With LiteSpeed? Not so much. For the reasons explained above.

What Can You Do?

• Just wait - Grab a coffee, check your email. Changes will show up within 15 minutes

Or... Need Instant Changes?

If waiting isn't your thing and you need immediate .htaccess updates, you might prefer an Apache server. The good news? You can always migrate if you're hosting with Site.eu.

Check out our guide: A Guide to Selecting Your Web Hosting Server

It breaks down the differences between server types and helps you pick what works best for your needs.

Why Choose LiteSpeed Anyway?

Most sites don't change .htaccess files daily. But every visitor benefits from the speed boost LiteSpeed gives. And your SEO rankings will thank you. Learn more about our powerful hosting with LiteSpeed and Redis technologies.

Quick Recap

Remember these key points:

• .htaccess changes on a LiteSpeed server take up to 15 minutes
• This is normal behavior, not a bug
• Apache servers apply changes instantly
• You can switch server types if needed

Questions about server behavior or need help with migrations? Check our website migration guide or contact our support team for assistance.