Elementor cache conflicts, multiple cache plugins in WordPress, and Elementor layouts broken when logged out are common issues website owners encounter after installing optimization tools. Although caching improves performance, using multiple caching systems at the same time can cause layout problems, missing styles, and inconsistent page rendering.
If your Elementor website looks correct when you are logged in but appears broken when logged out — and clearing the cache temporarily fixes the issue — then you are almost certainly dealing with a caching conflict.
This article explains why this happens, how Elementor caching works, and how to configure WordPress caching properly to avoid these problems permanently.
Understanding How Elementor Handles Caching
Elementor is no longer just a page builder. Modern versions include their own asset-handling and caching system designed to improve performance and stability.
Elementor automatically manages:
- Generated CSS files
- Layout rendering assets
- Script loading order
- Asset versioning
- DOM optimization
- Page structure caching
Because of this, Elementor already performs part of the optimization work that external caching plugins used to handle.
When Elementor regenerates CSS files, it expects those files to load in a specific order. If another plugin interferes with that process, the layout may break.
Why the Website Looks Fine When Logged In
WordPress behaves differently for logged-in users.
Most caching systems:
- Do not serve cached pages to administrators
- Bypass optimization layers for logged-in sessions
- Load fresh CSS and JS files
This is why the site appears normal in the admin view.
However, visitors who are logged out receive the cached version of the page, which may contain outdated Elementor CSS or incorrectly combined scripts.
As a result, the layout appears broken only to visitors.
The Real Cause: Multiple Cache Layers
The most common reason for Elementor layout issues is running more than one cache or optimization system at the same time.
Examples of overlapping cache layers include:
- A caching plugin
- Hosting server cache
- CDN cache
- CSS/JS optimization plugins
- Elementor’s built-in asset optimization
When two or more systems try to optimize the same files, they can overwrite each other’s output.
This leads to:
- Missing styles
- Incorrect section heights
- Broken spacing
- Layout shifting
- Pages rendering differently after some time
Common Plugin Combinations That Cause Problems
Many WordPress sites accidentally run multiple optimization tools together. While each plugin works fine individually, combining them often breaks Elementor layouts.
Typical problematic combinations include:
- WP Rocket + Autoptimize
- LiteSpeed Cache + Autoptimize
- Cache plugin + Cloudflare optimization
- Multiple minification plugins
- Server cache + aggressive CSS optimization plugin
Even if the site initially looks correct, the layout may break once cached files are regenerated.
Why Clearing Cache Fixes the Problem Temporarily
When you clear the cache, several things happen:
- Elementor regenerates CSS files.
- The cache plugin rebuilds stored pages.
- The server or CDN refreshes stored assets.
- Fresh files load correctly.
However, after some time, one caching system may serve an outdated file again. This creates the repeating cycle:
Clear cache → Site works → Cache rebuilds → Layout breaks.
This behavior is a strong indicator of multiple caching systems conflicting.
How Elementor CSS Generation Works
Elementor generates CSS files inside the WordPress uploads folder.
These files are typically stored in:
/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/
Each page may have its own generated stylesheet. When a cache plugin rewrites, combines, or delays these files, Elementor’s layout structure can break.
Because Elementor relies on precise CSS loading order, combining CSS files often causes layout issues.
The Correct Way to Configure Caching With Elementor
The best solution is simple: use only one caching or optimization layer for CSS and JavaScript.
This prevents conflicts and keeps Elementor’s asset system stable.
Below are two recommended configurations.
Option 1: Elementor + One Cache Plugin
This setup works well for most websites.
Use:
- Elementor optimization features
- One caching plugin
Avoid:
- CSS combining
- Removing unused CSS
- Multiple optimization plugins
Recommended settings:
- Page caching enabled
- CSS minification enabled
- JavaScript minification enabled
- CSS combine disabled
- JS combine disabled
This configuration keeps performance improvements without breaking layouts.
Option 2: Elementor + Server Cache Only
Many hosting providers include built-in caching such as:
- LiteSpeed server cache
- Nginx FastCGI cache
- Managed WordPress hosting cache
In this setup:
- Elementor handles assets
- Server handles page caching
- No extra optimization plugin is required
This is often the most stable configuration for Elementor websites.
Settings to Avoid With Elementor
Some optimization features commonly conflict with Elementor’s asset system.
Avoid using:
- Combine CSS
- Combine JavaScript
- Remove unused CSS
- Delay JavaScript execution (aggressive mode)
- Critical CSS generators from multiple plugins
These features frequently cause layout inconsistencies.
Signs You Have a Cache Conflicts
You may be experiencing multiple cache plugin conflicts if you notice:
- Layout breaks only when logged out
- Clearing cache fixes the issue temporarily
- Sections appear stretched or misaligned
- Buttons or headings move unexpectedly
- CSS changes don’t appear immediately
- The site looks different in incognito mode
These symptoms strongly indicate caching conflicts rather than Elementor design problems.
Step-by-Step Fix
Follow these steps to permanently resolve the issue.
Step 1: Identify All Cache Systems
Check for:
- Cache plugins
- Optimization plugins
- Hosting cache
- CDN optimization
Make a list of everything that modifies CSS, JS, or HTML.
Step 2: Keep Only One Optimization System
Disable additional optimization plugins so only one system handles caching.
For example:
- Keep LiteSpeed Cache OR Autoptimize
- Keep WP Rocket OR hosting cache
- Not both
Step 3: Regenerate Elementor Files
Go to:
Elementor → Tools → Regenerate CSS & Data
Then clear all caches once.
Step 4: Test While Logged Out
Use an incognito window to confirm the layout remains stable.
If the layout stays correct, the conflict is resolved.
Best Practices for Elementor Performance
To avoid future issues, follow these guidelines:
- Use only one cache plugin
- Avoid stacking optimization tools
- Do not combine Elementor CSS files
- Purge cache after design changes
- Keep Elementor updated
- Keep caching plugins updated
Consistency in caching configuration prevents layout instability.
Final Thoughts
Elementor caching conflicts are not caused by Elementor itself but by multiple optimization systems trying to control the same assets.
Once you understand that Elementor already includes its own asset-handling system, the solution becomes straightforward: avoid duplicate caching layers.
By simplifying your caching setup, you can maintain both performance and layout stability without repeatedly clearing cache.
Note:
If your Elementor website still behaves differently when logged in versus logged out, review your caching setup today and remove overlapping optimization plugins. A clean caching configuration will keep your site fast, stable, and reliable for every visitor.