Title: Possible to remove php @session_start()?
Last modified: November 30, 2016

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# Possible to remove php @session_start()?

 *  Resolved [Jeff McNeill](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jeffmcneill/)
 * (@jeffmcneill)
 * [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/possible-to-remove-php-session_start/)
 * Hello,
 * Would it be possible to remove the use of @session_start() from the wp-spamshield
   plugin? That can cause performance problems with locking.
 * Thanks for the response.
 * Sincerely,
    Jeff

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Plugin Contributor [redsand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/redsand/)
 * (@redsand)
 * [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/possible-to-remove-php-session_start/#post-8496642)
 * Hi [@jeffmcneill](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jeffmcneill/),
 * Clients hire us day in and day out to optimize their sites, and we write plugins
   that help improve PageSpeed, so that’s one area we specialize in and would never
   let a plugin slow a site down.
 * You’re looking at _one element_ of site speed and scalability, but we’re actually
   way ahead of you. 🙂
 * That is there for a very specific reason, and the way that we’ve implemented 
   it, does not hinder site speed. We manage and support many high performance sites,
   and all of them have PHP sessions enabled, and outperform comparable sites that
   don’t have sessions enabled.
 * We’ve actually already got an [FAQ that covers how the plugin is optimized, in depth.](http://redsd.co/WPSS-FAQ-15)
   Please take a look at that.
 * When the plugin detects a situation where it needs to, it will switch to _Compatibility
   Mode_, which modifies how it works with PHP Sessions, along with some other optimizations
   and method changes. You can manually force it to run in [_Compatibility Mode_](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/advanced-configuration/)
   if you like.
 * I would recommend becoming familiar with the [plugin documentation](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/)
   for more info.
 * **_Just a note: _If you’re having a specific problem, it’s more helpful to plugin
   developers if you can ask for help solving a specific issue, instead of asking
   us to remove a section of code…you may not fully realize the functionality that
   requires it, or what would be lost by removing it.**
 * So, if you are having _any specific issues_, we’ll be happy to help further.
 * You will need to take the following steps:
    1. **The [Troubleshooting Guide](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/troubleshooting-guide/)
       and [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/faqs/)
       are the place to start.**
    2. Please take a few minutes to work through these, as _they solve over 90% of 
       issues users have_. (Please be sure to _follow all the steps, not just read 
       through them_.) The issue _might not be what you suspect_.
    3. Once you have gone through the Troubleshooting Guide and FAQs, if that doesn’t
       solve the issue, we’ll need a bit more info from you on the specifics, and we’ll
       need to email back and forth, so you should move on to the next step.
    4. **Submit a support request using the secure form at the [WP-SpamShield Support page](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/support/),
       our main support channel for the plugin.** We have an excellent diagnostic process.
 * – Scott
 * **_Please note that the [WP-SpamShield Support page](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/support/)
   is our main support venue, not the WordPress forums here, so that will always
   be the best way to get a quick response and resolve any tech support issues. 
   Please direct any further support questions there._**
    -  This reply was modified 9 years, 5 months ago by [redsand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/redsand/).
 *  Thread Starter [Jeff McNeill](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jeffmcneill/)
 * (@jeffmcneill)
 * [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/possible-to-remove-php-session_start/#post-8500893)
 * Well, that doesn’t quite answer the question, but I’m game. I went through the
   pages you mentioned and found no mention of the word “session”, so my guess is
   the answer is no. No in terms of being able to turn sessions off (if that is 
   possible, by all means let me know how) and no to removing the session code (
   without possible unknown ramifications).
 * It’s great that you have customers and manage fast sites, so do I. Removing the
   use of @session_start() is one way I go about that. It is fine that you don’t
   do it that way, but I don’t have a use for your plugin under these conditions.
   My environment does not use sessions to speed sites up, but rather removes sessions
   to speed sites up. Both are in fact possible, if you think about it.
 *  Plugin Contributor [redsand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/redsand/)
 * (@redsand)
 * [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/possible-to-remove-php-session_start/#post-8500927)
 * Hi Jeff,
 * Removing @session_start() by itself won’t speed up sites. Even disabling PHP 
   sessions altogether by itself won’t speed up sites. Unfortunately there is a 
   lot of bad info floating around that promotes disabling sessions. It’s simply
   not necessary. There is a workaround for literally every reason people can provide
   as to why they think sessions should not be used. We’ve worked with all manner
   or caching systems, and provided advice to web hosting companies on improving
   their performance. This is one of our areas of expertise.
 * Sessions are an important element of PHP and provide functionality to store data
   about a specific user currently visiting the site. We use sessions for security,
   not to speed sites up, but the way we implement it, it also doesn’t slow them
   down.
 * As I mentioned:
 * > Just a note: If you’re having a specific problem, it’s more helpful to plugin
   > developers if you can ask for help solving a specific issue, instead of asking
   > us to remove a section of code…you may not fully realize the functionality 
   > that requires it, or what would be lost by removing it.
 * So, no we’re not going to remove it.
 * I did mention Compatibility Mode which does modify its session usage. If it wasn’t
   clear how that changes the session functionality, or you need help solving a 
   specific issue, I’ll be happy to explain the specifics if you submit a support
   request at the [WP-SpamShield Support Form](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/support/).
 * As noted:
 * > Please note that the WP-SpamShield Support page is our main support venue, 
   > not the WordPress forums here, so that will always be the best way to get a
   > quick response and resolve any tech support issues. **Please direct any further
   > support questions there.**
 * – Scott

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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## Tags

 * [compatibility mode](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/compatibility-mode/)
 * [php session](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/php-session/)

 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [redsand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/redsand/)
 * Last activity: [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/possible-to-remove-php-session_start/#post-8500927)
 * Status: resolved