Turn off the Heartbeat API on the public site

Stops WordPress’s Heartbeat requests on the public site, where nothing needs them. The editor keeps its autosave and post locks.

Type PHP
Runs Everywhere (runs as WordPress loads)
Category Performance
Tested with WordPress 7.1

PHP

<?php

add_action(
	'init',
	static function () {
		if ( ! is_admin() ) {
			wp_deregister_script( 'heartbeat' );
		}
	},
	1
);

Good to know

Plugins that use Heartbeat on the front end (some live chat or booking plugins) stop updating in real time.

In these packs

More speed: More ways to load less: block styles, speculative loading, fewer scripts.

Install it in one click

It's already in the Snipfire plugin's library. Enter your site's address and it opens there, ready to install. It arrives switched off, and Snipfire checks the code and test-loads your site before you switch it on.

Needs Snipfire on that site and you logged in as an administrator. Your address stays in this browser; we don't see it. Get Snipfire free

Or add it by hand

Click + New and choose PHP.
Paste the code and give it a name.
Where: Everywhere (runs as WordPress loads).
Save and switch it on.

Works in any snippet plugin, or a child theme's functions.php. Without the safety net, though.

Good to know

In these packs

More Performance snippets

Move your snippets over this afternoon.