# Install and set up AjaxPress

> Install AjaxPress from WordPress.org, check that it works, and the few settings worth a look on day one.

Source: https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/install/

AjaxPress works as soon as it is activated. This page gets it installed, checks that it is running, and points out the handful of settings most sites touch.

![Install AjaxPress, check the settings, and browse your site with instant page loads.](https://r2.arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/getting-started.mp4?v=5af4d01469)

## Requirements

- WordPress 5.3 or newer
- PHP 7.1 or newer
- A theme that calls `wp_head()` and `wp_footer()`, which every properly built theme does

## Install

1. In your dashboard, go to **Plugins → Add New Plugin**.
2. Search for **AjaxPress**.
3. Click **Install Now**, then **Activate**.

That's it. Your site now navigates without full page reloads.

To install by hand instead, download the zip from [wordpress.org/plugins/ajaxpress](https://wordpress.org/plugins/ajaxpress/), then go to **Plugins → Add New Plugin → Upload Plugin**.

> [!TIP]
> Have an AjaxPress Pro license? Install the free plugin first, then follow [Install AjaxPress Pro](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/ajaxpress-pro/).

## Check that it's working

Open your site in a private window (or log out first), then click a few links:

- A progress bar runs along the top of the screen while the next page loads.
- The page changes without the white flash of a normal reload.
- The address bar and the tab title show the new page.
- The Back button takes you to the previous page.

> [!NOTE]
> If you turned on **Load Frontend Normally for Admins**, you won't see AjaxPress while logged in as an administrator. That is what the setting is for. Test in a private window.

## The settings screen

Everything lives under **Settings → AjaxPress**. [A tour of the settings screen](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/settings-screen/) walks through each tab, and the [settings reference](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/settings-reference/) lists every setting with its default.

## What to set up first

Most sites need nothing. These are the usual exceptions:

- **Running a radio station, podcast or music site?** Set up your player so it keeps playing: [Keep audio or video playing across pages](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/keep-audio-or-video-playing-across-pages/).
- **A page that must load the normal way?** Add it to **Advanced → Exclude Links**: [Exclude links](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/exclude-links/).
- **Building pages with a visual builder?** Read [Page builders](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/page-builders-elementor-bricks-and-divi/).
- **Using Google Analytics or Tag Manager?** Read [Analytics, Tag Manager and consent banners](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/analytics-tag-manager-and-consent-banners/).

## Caching plugins

AjaxPress works alongside WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache, SiteGround Optimizer, Cloudflare and Bunny CDN. There is nothing to exclude. After you change AjaxPress settings, clear your page cache so visitors get the new settings straight away.

## Uninstalling

Deactivate AjaxPress from **Plugins**, and your site goes back to normal page loads immediately. Nothing on your pages is changed, so there is nothing to clean up. If you use AjaxPress Pro, deactivate it first: WordPress won't deactivate AjaxPress while AjaxPress Pro is active.

> [!WARNING]
> Using [Super Cache by Cloudflare](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/cloudflare-super-cache/)? **Disconnect it before you deactivate.** Deactivating doesn't remove the cache worker from Cloudflare, so your pages would keep being served from the cache, and they would no longer clear when you edit them. See [Pause, disconnect or remove Super Cache](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/disconnect-super-cache/).