“ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS” is caused when a website is stuck in a redirect loop. One redirect points to another, which points back to the first, causing an infinite loop – making the webpage inaccessible.
This article will explore some of the most common causes of err_too_many_redirects, and provide some tips to get your site back on track.
What is a redirect loop?
A redirect loop is exactly what it sounds like, it is a loop of 3XX redirects, with one pointing to another.
URL 1 points to URL 2 which points back to URL 1. This causes the URL or domain to be ‘stuck’ in this infinite look, making it inaccessible to users.
Redirect loops can affect individual web pages, or the whole website depending on if it is a specific URL or a whole domain that is stuck in the redirect loop. It can have a drastic impact on SEO if this affects important pages on your website.
Depending on which device or browser you are trying to access the affected website on, you might see a slightly different error message.
How to find and fix the cause of err_too_many_redirects
Encountering the ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error can be a frustrating experience, especially when it prevents users from accessing your website. However, with a systematic approach, you can identify the root cause and implement a solution. This section will guide you through various strategies to diagnose and rectify this common issue, from clearing your caches to adjusting your website’s HTTPS settings and redirection rules. Let’s dive in and get your website running smoothly again.
Clear your server, proxy, and browser cache
Caching is a common practice used to speed up websites by storing a copy of your website’s files in a cache, or temporary storage. However, if these cached files become outdated or corrupted, they can cause issues like the ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error.
Clear your browser cache
As we mentioned earlier, clearing your browser cache is a simple fix that can often resolve this error. Here’s how you can do it:
- Google Chrome: Click on the three dots in the top right corner, go to ‘More tools’ > ‘Clear browsing data’. Choose ‘Cached images and files’ and click ‘Clear data’.
- Mozilla Firefox: Click on the menu button and choose ‘Options’. Select the ‘Privacy & Security’ panel and go to the ‘Cookies and Site Data’ section. Click ‘Clear Data’ and uncheck ‘Cookies and Site Data’, then click ‘Clear’.
- Safari: Click on ‘Safari’ in the menu bar, then ‘Preferences’. Go to the ‘Advanced’ tab and enable ‘Show Develop menu in menu bar’. Then, click on ‘Develop’ in the menu bar and select ‘Empty Caches’.
Remember to close and reopen your browser after clearing the cache.
Clear your server cache
The process for clearing your server cache will depend on your hosting provider and the caching solutions you have in place. This could involve clearing a cache plugin, a server-side cache, or a content delivery network (CDN) cache. If you’re unsure how to do this, it’s best to consult with your hosting provider or a web developer.
Clear your proxy cache
If you’re using a proxy server, outdated or corrupted files in the proxy cache could be causing the redirect loop. Clearing the proxy cache will depend on the specific proxy software or service you’re using. Again, if you’re unsure how to do this, consult with your service provider or a network administrator.
By clearing your caches, you ensure that your website is serving the most recent version of your content, which can help resolve the ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error. However, remember that clearing your cache is a temporary solution. If the error persists, you’ll need to investigate further to find the root cause of the redirect loop.
Check your website’s HTTPS settings
Incorrect HTTPS settings can often lead to the ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error. Here are some key areas to consider:
Using an SSL plugin on WordPress
While SSL plugins can be helpful, they can sometimes cause issues with your site’s HTTPS settings. These plugins can interfere with your .htaccess file or your server’s configuration, leading to redirect loops.
Instead of using a plugin, it’s recommended to manually configure your SSL settings. This can be done through your hosting provider or by editing your .htaccess file (for Apache servers) or your nginx.conf file (for Nginx servers).
Forcing HTTPS without an SSL certificate
Forcing your site to use HTTPS when you don’t have a valid SSL certificate can lead to a variety of issues, including redirect loops. Before you switch your site to HTTPS, make sure you have a valid SSL certificate installed.
Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt. Once you’ve installed your certificate, you can then safely switch your site to HTTPS.
Apache/Nginx HTTP to HTTPS redirects
If you’re using an Apache or Nginx server, you can set up HTTP to HTTPS redirects directly on your server. This is a more efficient method than using a plugin or relying on your CMS to handle the redirects.
Here’s how you can set up these redirects:
Apache:
Open your .htaccess file. This is typically located in the root directory of your website.
Add the following lines to the file:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]This code tells the server to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
Nginx:
Open your nginx.conf file. This is typically located in the /etc/nginx/ or /usr/local/nginx/ directory.
Add the following lines to the server block:
server {
listen 80;
server_name yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com;
return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
}Replace ‘yourdomain.com’ with your actual domain name. This code tells the server to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
Remember to back up your .htaccess or nginx.conf file before making any changes. If you’re unsure how to do this, it’s best to consult with a web developer or your hosting provider.
By ensuring your HTTPS settings are correctly configured, you can avoid the ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error being caused by an HTTP error.
Check your website’s redirection rules
Redirection rules are instructions that guide your website’s visitors from one URL to another. These rules are often used to ensure users can still find your content if you’ve moved it to a new URL. However, if these rules are incorrectly set, they can cause a redirect loop. Here’s how you can investigate and fix these rules:
Understanding redirection rules
Redirection rules are typically set in your website’s .htaccess file (for Apache servers) or nginx.conf file (for Nginx servers). These files contain instructions for how your server should handle requests for your website’s content.
For example, you might have a rule that redirects users from the ‘www’ version of your site to the non-www version, or vice versa. Or, you might have a rule that redirects users from an old URL to a new one.
Investigating redirection rules
To investigate your redirection rules, you’ll need to access your .htaccess or nginx.conf file. This can typically be done through your hosting provider’s file manager or via FTP.
Once you’ve accessed the file, look for any rules that involve redirection. These will typically involve the ‘Redirect’ or ‘Rewrite’ directives for Apache, or the ‘rewrite’ directive for Nginx.
Fixing redirection rules
If you find a rule that seems to be causing a redirect loop, you’ll need to fix it. This could involve:
- Removing the rule: If the rule is no longer needed, you can simply delete it from the file.
- Modifying the rule: If the rule is needed but incorrectly set, you can modify it to correct the issue. This might involve changing the source or target URL, or changing the type of redirect (e.g., from a 301 permanent redirect to a 302 temporary redirect).
- Ordering the rules: The order of your rules can also cause issues. If you have multiple rules that could apply to the same URL, the first rule in the file will take precedence. Make sure your rules are in the correct order to avoid conflicts.
Remember to backup your .htaccess or nginx.conf file before making any changes. If you’re unsure how to do this, it’s best to consult with a web developer or your hosting provider.
By carefully checking and correcting your website’s redirection rules, you can resolve the ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error and ensure your visitors can find the content they’re looking for.
Check your website’s plugins or themes
If your website uses a content management system like WordPress, plugins or themes could be causing the redirect loop. Some plugins or themes may have redirection features that can conflict with your website’s settings or other plugins.
To troubleshoot this, you can disable all plugins and switch to a default theme. If the error disappears, you can then enable each plugin one by one until you find the one causing the issue.
Contact your hosting provider
If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still experiencing the ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error, it’s time to contact your hosting provider. They can help you troubleshoot the issue further and provide solutions.
Conclusion
The ‘err_too_many_redirects’ error can be frustrating, but with a bit of patience and troubleshooting, you can get your website back on track. Remember, the key is to understand that this error is caused by a redirect loop and to identify where that loop is occurring. Whether it’s due to browser cookies, HTTPS settings, redirection rules, or plugins, there’s always a solution.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to fix too many redirects and get your website functioning smoothly again. If you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for further assistance. We’re here to help you navigate these technical issues so you can focus on what you do best – running your business.
