Dashicons is the official icon font of WordPress, and is used to provide a consistent user interface across all WordPress websites. The “dashicons.min.css” file, while it is mainly used in the WordPress admin section but some plugins still use it and loads this file in frontend as well. This will add an additional HTTP request.
The Nexter Extension (Free) plugin includes a one-click option to disable Dashicons on the WordPress frontend, reducing unnecessary HTTP requests.
Best Used For:
- WordPress sites using custom icon fonts or SVG icons that do not rely on the Dashicons library.
- Performance-focused sites aiming to reduce the number of CSS files loaded on the frontend.
- Sites running Core Web Vitals audits where eliminating render-blocking CSS is a priority.
Learn via Video Tutorial
Why Disable Dashicons?
Most themes and plugins have their own icon system and they don’t use dashicons. So it is unnecessary to load this file on every page and increase the page load time.
How to Disable Dashicons with The Nexter Extension?
To do this, go to Nexter → Extensions → Performance.
Then go to the Advanced Performance section, enable the toggle, and click on the gear icon (⚙).
In the Advanced Performance popup, go to Disable Dashicons and enable the toggle.
Click Save.
This will remove the “dashicons.min.css” file from the frontend but it will load for the WordPress admin panel.
