Expected duration: 1 - 2 weeks I am facing a critical issue with my WordPress website hosted on a dedicated Kinsta server. Every time I send email campaigns via ConvertKit, the server experiences a significant spike in errors (500, 502, 503 & 525), leading to downtime and disrupted user experiences. This issue is persistent despite multiple attempts to address it with Kinsta support, and I need expert help to resolve it.
BACKGROUND -> Hosting: Dedicated Kinsta server (C2-standard-8) with 8 CPUs, 32GB RAM, and 20 PHP workers. -> Emails: Weekly campaigns to ~40,000 subscribers through ConvertKit.
Error Details: -> Errors predominantly occur immediately after an email campaign is sent. -> High traffic spikes from email tracking links (with query strings like ck_subscriber_id and utm_ parameters) overwhelm the server. -> Admin-ajax requests appear to be a contributing factor. -> Disabling caching for ck_subscriber_id cookies may be causing conflicts when combined with UTM parameters.
Additional details: -> Code snippet plugin previously caused errors (now resolved by deactivating it). -> Ongoing PHP worker and cron job timeouts have been reported in the logs. -> There is a large spike in cache MISS status when emails are sent. -> Attached is a chat thread with Kinsta providing fuller details. -> Here is an example of the URL string from our newsletter - https://www.conservation-careers.com/job/conservation-detection-nosework-seminar-2025/?utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Unmissable%20opportunities%20in%20Conservation%20this%20week%20-%2015873629
OBJECTIVES Root Cause Analysis: -> Investigate the server logs, performance, caching and traffic behaviour during email campaigns. -> Identify specific conflicts or configurations causing the errors.
Optimization & Fixes: -> Resolve any issues identified in the Root Cause Analysis. This may include the following, -> Addressing conflicts between caching rules, UTM parameters, and ck_subscriber_id. -> Optimizing admin-ajax usage to reduce server load. -> Implementing efficient caching rules for email campaign links.
Testing & Monitoring: -> Monitor server performance during the next email campaign to confirm the issue is resolved. -> Provide a detailed report of changes implemented.
Recommendations: -> Suggest further performance improvements for WordPress on Kinsta hosting. -> Propose preventative measures for scalability during high-traffic periods.
Past Kinsta support actions: -> Temporarily disabled caching rules for ck_subscriber_id. -> Recommended enabling pre-caching for campaign URLs. -> Restarted PHP and adjusted NGINX settings to handle traffic better.
Deliverables: -> A detailed report of the issue and resolution steps. -> Implementation and validation of fixes to prevent recurrence. -> Recommendations for improving server performance and handling high traffic.
Requirements: -> Proven experience with WordPress performance optimization, particularly on Kinsta hosting. -> Familiarity with ConvertKit and handling query string conflicts in email tracking. -> Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, especially with PHP worker management, caching, and admin-ajax optimization. -> Clear communication and ability to document solutions.
If you can help resolve this issue and enhance my server’s performance, please provide a brief outline of your approach and relevant experience.
Pre-Employment Verification needed in the US Category: Android, Data Collection, Data Entry, Documentation, IPhone, Mobile App Development, Photo Editing, Photography Budget: $10 - $160 USD
19-Nov-2025 17:03 GMT
AI Tutor for Adult Learners Category: AI Chatbot Development, Data Visualization, Git, Graphic Design, Large Language Model, Machine Learning (ML), Mathematics, Natural Language Processing, Python, Software Development Budget: min ₹2500 INR
19-Nov-2025 17:02 GMT
Structural Integrity Certification for Storage Facility Category: Building Architecture, Building Certification, Building Design, Building Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering Budget: $250 - $750 USD
19-Nov-2025 17:02 GMT
Marketing Digital para NoticierOficial Category: Digital Marketing, Facebook Ads, Facebook Marketing, Google Ads, Internet Marketing, Social Media Management, Social Media Marketing, Test Automation Budget: $30 - $250 USD
Python Pro for Data Automation Category: Automation, Data Analysis, Data Extraction, Data Mining, Data Processing, Documentation, Excel, Python, Software Architecture, Web Scraping Budget: $15 - $25 USD
19-Nov-2025 16:59 GMT
On-Prem D365 Online Migration Category: Cloud Computing, Data Extraction, Data Integration, Data Management, Data Processing, Data Warehousing, Database Administration, ETL Budget: $15 - $25 USD
19-Nov-2025 16:58 GMT
Google Ads Specialist for Supplements Category: Advertising, Business Plans, Digital Marketing, Google Ads, Google Adwords, Internet Marketing, Marketing, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Budget: $8 - $15 USD
19-Nov-2025 16:57 GMT
Cross Platform App UI Design Category: Figma, Graphic Design, IPhone, Mobile App Development, Sketch, UI / User Interface, User Experience Research, User Interface / IA Budget: ₹12500 - ₹37500 INR
19-Nov-2025 16:57 GMT
Doctor Appointment App Development Category: Android, Chatbot, IOS Development, IPhone, Mobile App Development, Payment Gateway Integration, PHP, UI / User Interface Budget: ₹12500 - ₹37500 INR
19-Nov-2025 16:57 GMT
Playful CapCut Promo Edit Category: Adobe Premiere Pro, Animation, CapCut, Final Cut Pro, Video Post Editing, Video Production, Video Services Budget: $15 - $25 USD
Long-Term Casual Native English Speaker (Not Female) Category: Audio Production, Audio Services, Editing, English (US) Translator, English Spelling, English Teaching, English Translation, Language Tutoring, Video Conferencing, Zoom Budget: $8 - $15 USD
