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.
AI-Powered Mobile Chat Application -- 2 Category: AI Chatbot Development, AI Development, AI Text To Speech, Android, Chatbot, IPhone, Mobile App Development, Objective C Budget: $3000 - $5000 USD
20-Dec-2025 23:03 GMT
Copy Reels Instagram Menarik - 19/12/2025 00:30 EST Category: Article Writing, Content Writing, Copywriting, Digital Marketing, Ghostwriting, Instagram Marketing, Social Media Management, Social Media Marketing Budget: $2 - $8 USD
20-Dec-2025 23:03 GMT
Salesforce Consulting Business Developer Category: B2B Marketing, Business Development, Consulting, CRM, Lead Generation, Market Research, Sales, Salesforce App Development, Salesforce.com, SAP Budget: $250 - $750 USD
20-Dec-2025 23:02 GMT
Transactional SQL Queries & Visuals Category: Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Database Design, Database Development, Database Programming, Microsoft Access, MySQL, SQL Budget: £10 - £20 GBP
20-Dec-2025 22:58 GMT
Edición Integral de Podcast Category: Audio Editing, Audio Production, Podcast Editing, Post Production, Sound Engineering, Video Editing, Video Production, Video Services Budget: €8 - €30 EUR
20-Dec-2025 22:57 GMT
Market Chiang Mai, Thailand Condos Category: Advertising, Content Marketing, Copywriting, Creative Design, Digital Marketing, Facebook Marketing, Instagram Marketing, Internet Marketing, Marketing, Social Media Marketing Budget: $15 - $25 USD
20-Dec-2025 22:53 GMT
Fresh Pan-India MBA Leads Category: CRM, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Data Entry, Email Marketing, Excel, Google Adwords, Internet Marketing, Lead Generation, Market Research Budget: ₹1500 - ₹12500 INR
Instagram DM Outreach to Prospects Category: Analytics, Content Creation, Content Strategy, Data Entry, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Google Sheets, Instagram Marketing, Social Media Management, Social Media Marketing Budget: $2 - $8 USD
20-Dec-2025 22:48 GMT
Upgrade-Safe Dolibarr Document Module Category: API Development, Database Design, Documentation, PHP, Project Management, Software Development, Technical Writing, Web Development Budget: $10 - $50 AUD
20-Dec-2025 22:48 GMT
English Articles into Spanish Category: Article Writing, Content Writing, Editing, English (US) Translator, Language Tutoring, Proofreading, Spanish Translator, Translation Budget: $8 - $15 CAD
20-Dec-2025 22:46 GMT
Modern Serif Text Logo Needed Category: Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Illustrator, Graphic Design, Illustration, Logo Design, Photoshop, Typography, Vector Design Budget: $30 - $250 USD
