Knowledgebase

Running a website comes with its own set of challenges, and encountering errors is one of them. Website errors can lead to a poor user experience, lower search engine rankings, and even loss of business. Fortunately, most website errors are well-documented and can be resolved with some troubleshooting. This article will cover some of the most common website errors and provide step-by-step solutions to fix them.

1. 404 Not Found Error

What is it?
The "404 Not Found" error occurs when a user tries to access a page that doesn’t exist on the server. This can happen if the page has been deleted, moved without proper redirection, or the URL was typed incorrectly.

How to Fix It:

• Check the URL: Ensure the URL entered is correct.
• Create Redirects: Set up 301 redirects from old or broken URLs to the new or correct pages using your website's .htaccess file or a redirection plugin if using WordPress.
• Customize the 404 Page: Provide helpful information and navigation links on your custom 404 page to improve user experience.

2. 500 Internal Server Error

What is it?
The "500 Internal Server Error" indicates a problem on the server that is preventing the website from loading.

How to Fix It:

• Check for Corrupted Files: Inspect .htaccess files or scripts for errors. You can temporarily rename .htaccess to see if the site loads, indicating the file is the issue.
• Increase PHP Memory Limit: If using WordPress, you can increase the PHP memory limit by adding define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to the wp-config.php file.
• Check Server Logs: Server logs can provide more information about the error, helping you pinpoint the exact problem.

3. 403 Forbidden Error

What is it?
The "403 Forbidden" error occurs when the server understands the request but refuses to authorize it. This usually happens due to incorrect file permissions or directory restrictions.

How to Fix It:

• Check File Permissions: Ensure that your files and directories have the correct permissions (typically 755 for directories and 644 for files).
• Check the .htaccess File: Ensure that your .htaccess file does not contain any errors or misconfigurations that might be blocking access.
• Disable Plugins: If using a CMS like WordPress, temporarily disable plugins to check if one of them is causing the issue.

4. 502 Bad Gateway Error

What is it?
The "502 Bad Gateway" error occurs when a server receives an invalid response from another server it was accessing while attempting to load a webpage.

How to Fix It:

• Refresh the Page: Sometimes, the issue is temporary and can be resolved by simply refreshing the page.
• Check Server Status: Ensure that your server is not down or overloaded.
• Clear Browser Cache: Cached data may be causing the error. Clearing your browser’s cache might help.
• Check CDN and Firewall Configurations: Sometimes, misconfigurations in Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) or firewalls can cause this error.

5. 503 Service Unavailable Error

What is it?
The "503 Service Unavailable" error indicates that the server is currently unable to handle the request due to maintenance or being overloaded.

How to Fix It:

• Check Server Load: Ensure your server is not overloaded with too many requests. Consider upgrading your hosting plan if this is a recurring issue.
• Disable Plugins or Themes: A faulty plugin or theme can cause this error. Disable them temporarily to see if the error goes away.
• Contact Your Hosting Provider: If the issue persists, reach out to your hosting provider for more insights and solutions.

6. 504 Gateway Timeout Error

What is it?
The "504 Gateway Timeout" error occurs when one server does not receive a timely response from another server while processing a request.

How to Fix It:

• Refresh the Page: Sometimes the error is temporary.
• Increase Server Timeout Limits: Adjust the server's timeout settings to allow more time for responses.
• Check DNS Settings: Incorrect DNS settings may lead to a timeout error; verify that they are correctly configured.

7. ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS

What is it?
This error indicates a redirect loop, where a page keeps redirecting back and forth, leading to an infinite loop.

How to Fix It:

• Clear Cookies and Cache: Cached redirects can sometimes cause this issue.
• Check Redirect Rules: Ensure that your .htaccess file or CMS does not have conflicting redirect rules.
• Disable Plugins: If using WordPress, disable plugins that manage redirects to see if the error persists.

8. Connection Timed Out

What is it?
This error occurs when the server takes too long to respond. It is common on shared hosting platforms where resources are limited.

How to Fix It:

• Optimize Website Performance: Reduce server load by optimizing images, minimizing CSS/JS files, and using caching.
• Upgrade Hosting Plan: If your website is consistently running out of resources, consider upgrading to a higher hosting plan.
• Check Firewall Settings: Ensure the firewall is not blocking legitimate requests.

9. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

What is it?
This error occurs when the DNS (Domain Name System) is unable to resolve a domain name.

How to Fix It:

• Check Domain Registration: Ensure your domain is registered and active.
• Update DNS Settings: Verify that your DNS settings are correctly configured in your hosting control panel.
• Clear DNS Cache: Use the command ipconfig /flushdns on Windows or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder on macOS to clear the DNS cache.

10. Mixed Content Warning

What is it?
The "Mixed Content" warning appears when a site is loaded over HTTPS, but some resources (like images, scripts, or stylesheets) are loaded over HTTP.

How to Fix It:

• Use HTTPS for All Resources: Ensure all URLs on your site start with https://.
• Update Internal Links: Update internal links, images, and scripts to use HTTPS.
• Use a Content Security Policy (CSP): A CSP can block mixed content and improve website security.

Conclusion

Website errors can be daunting, but with the right approach, they can be resolved quickly. Understanding these common website errors and their fixes will help you maintain a smooth and secure online presence. Always monitor your website regularly, keep backups, and consider using website monitoring tools to detect issues before they affect your visitors.

For more assistance, reach out to Hostpik’s 24/7 support team, who are always ready to help resolve any website issues you encounter.