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Why the opcache_compile_file Function Doesn’t Immediately Update Cache: Common Causes and Solutions

gitbox 2025-09-19 
<span><span><span class="hljs-meta">&lt;?php</span></span><span>
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<p><span><span class="hljs-comment"># Why the <code>opcache_compile_file

This ensures that whenever a file is modified, the cache refreshes immediately.

    start="2">

  1. Manually Invalidate Cache
    After updating code, you can call:

    "codes"><span><span><span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">opcache_invalidate</span></span><span>(</span><span><span class="hljs-string">&#039;/path/to/file.php&#039;</span></span><span>, </span><span><span class="hljs-literal">true</span></span><span>);
&lt<span><span class="hljs-comment">;/span></span>

    Setting the second parameter to class="fun">true forces cache clearance, ensuring the file is recompiled on the next request.

  2. Combine with `opcache_compile_file`
    A common practice is to first call class="fun">opcache_invalidate() to clear old cache, then call "fun">opcache_compile_file() to warm up the new cache.

  3. Pay Attention to File Timestamps
    When updating files, ensure the mtime changes (e.g., using the class="fun">touch command) so Opcache can detect changes correctly.

  4. Synchronize Process States
    In multi-process environments, use application-level logic (such as deployment scripts) to ensure cache refresh and warm-up are applied consistently, avoiding some processes reading old cache.

4. Conclusion

class="fun">opcache_compile_file() is not a “cache refresh” function, but a tool to “compile and add to cache.” If a file is already cached, it won’t overwrite the existing content proactively.
To ensure code updates take effect immediately, it is recommended to use class="fun">opcache_invalidate() to clear old cache and then combine with "fun">opcache_compile_file() to warm up, preventing old cache remnants while maintaining high performance after deployment.

Understanding how Opcache operates and using its functions appropriately allows you to fully leverage its benefits for performance optimization and smooth code deployment.

"codes">&lt<span><span class="hljs-comment">;span></span>
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