How do I optimise a database in phpMyAdmin?

If you update your website regularly, your database will get fragmented over time. A large, fragmented database can make your website load slower.

When you optimise your database, all data gets sorted, like when you defragment your computer. This makes your database run more efficiently and can improve loading time of your website.

Note: Be very careful when you work in phpMyAdmin, as it is not possible to undo changes. We recommend creating a backup, before you make any changes.


Step 1 - Open your database in phpMyAdmin

Read our guide on how to access your database if you don't know how to do this.


Step 2 - Click Databases in the top menu


Screenshot of the phpMyAdmin dashboard. A red arrow points to "Databases".


Step 3 - Click the name of the database you want to optimise


Screenshot of the phpMyAdmin dashboard. A red arrow points to the name of the database.


Step 4 - Check tables and optimise

Click Check All to select all tables, or manually check the boxes for the tables you want to optimise.
Select Optimise table in the drop-down menu.


Screenshot of phpMyAdmin highlighting "Check All" and "Optimise table".


Step 5 - You're done

Your database is now optimised.


Screenshot highlights the success message in phpMyAdmin.


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