Key Highlights:
- Over half of users leave a website if it fails to load promptly, indicating a poor user experience.
- The 504 Gateway Timeout error signifies a server’s delay in receiving a response from another server, often due to overloads or server malfunctions.
- A persistent 504 error can lead to search engine deindexing, harming your SEO performance.
- Troubleshooting a 504 error involves examining server load, DNS configurations, proxy settings and network issues.
- Preventive measures, like monitoring server performance, optimizing plugins, using a CDN and selecting a reliable hosting provider, can reduce error recurrence.
- A dependable hosting provider like Bluehost offers tools and support to resolve server issues efficiently.
Introduction
More than half of users will not hesitate to leave a website if it does not load in the expected time, more so if it doesn’t load at all, as these are signs of a bad user experience.
If your blog or eCommerce we/b page frequently exhibits high bounce rates or people tell you they cannot access your site because it displays error messages, it might be worth studying the most common types of errors, such as the 504 Gateway Timeout.
Here, we’ll explore a 504 Gateway Timeout and how to fix it.
Let’s dive in.
What is a 504 Gateway Timeout?
A 504 Gateway Timeout error is a type of 5xx HTTP status code that occurs when a server doesn’t receive a timely response from the other server it was trying to connect to, causing the request to time out. It happens when one server is down, receives a high volume of requests (overload), malfunctions or undergoes routine maintenance.
504 gateway errors are often associated with two external web servers, but they can also be caused by a server-like entity within the main server, such as a database or reverse proxy server.
What does 504 Gateway Timeout mean?
Servers work by acting as a channel that connects devices to each other.
When you visit a website, your browser’s web server sends a request to the server where the website is hosted. If both servers don’t encounter problems, the request goes through smoothly.
However, when server connectivity issues arise and two servers take too long to complete the HTTP request, they cannot fulfill their role as a “gateway,” resulting in a 504 Gateway Timeout error.
504 errors are different from a 502 Bad Gateway.
During a 502 error, the server side receives an invalid response from the origin server, while in 504 errors, the server doesn’t receive a response.
Impacts of 504 Gateway Timeout errors
504 Gateway Timeout errors prevent a webpage from loading, negatively affecting the user experience. If these errors occur frequently and persistently, it may lead to search engines deindexing the page from its search engine results.
SEO impact can vary depending on the duration and frequency of downtime.
If your WordPress site is down for a few minutes, search engine spiders can crawl it frequently. They can serve users trying to access your page a cached version in the meantime.
But if your website is down for over six hours, search engines like Google might consider it a more serious issue, which can negatively impact your SEO.
What 504 Gateway Timeout errors look like
An HTTP error page can take various forms on devices, programs, browsers and operating systems. Here’s what they can look like.
- Google Chrome browser:
- Windows updates:
- Windows programs:
Other variations of the 504 Gateway Timeout error include:
How to fix 504 Gateway Timeout
The 504 Gateway Timeout error can be hard to diagnose and fix because there’s not one specific thing that causes it. When troubleshooting, try different fixes and eliminate each perceived cause as you go.
You can also use Google Search Console (GSC) to monitor errors but note that GSC cannot determine the exact cause.
Common causes of 504 Gateway Timeout errors and potential fixes
Here are the common causes and possible fixes for the 504 Gateway Timeout error.
Internet connection and network issues
Internet connection and network configurations rarely cause 504 errors directly, but checking network stability and hardware like modems and routers can help isolate the problem.
Possible fixes:
- Refresh the page request. The error might be a temporary issue.
- Reload the page in a different browser.
- Clear your DNS cache. If the previous fix doesn’t work, try clearing your cache and reloading the page again.
- Check server logs if your access issue persists.
- Restart your network devices. It doesn’t matter which order you switch off your devices, but it’s essential to connect to the devices from the outside in.
Start with the modem, which connects your house to the internet. Then, turn on the router, which connects your wireless devices to the modem.
Faulty code, apps, themes and plugins.
If reloading the page doesn’t work, check your website’s WordPress plugins, themes or code. These elements might be submitting multiple uncached requests and draining your PHP resources — leading to a server overload.
Possible fixes:
- Turn off your plugins and themes one by one to determine which one is causing the error.
- If errors continue, php errors might occur in your WordPress admin dashboard or related files.
- Switch to the default theme. Themes don’t cause 504 errors per se, but faulty implementation and code can contribute to them. Default themes are stable, reliable and safe.
As a preventive measure, remember to update your plugins and themes regularly. That alone prevents most security issues.
DNS issues
Computers are hosted in servers that communicate with each other using IP addresses.
However, humans visit so many websites that it is impossible to remember each IP address, so the Domain Name Server (DNS) was born.
The DNS servers are like a phone directory that computers use to look up the IP address of the website you want to visit.
Migrating your site to a new host, moving to a different IP address, or using the incorrect IP address can cause changes to your DNS server, which might prompt your server to show visitors a 504 Gateway Timeout error on the server and client sides.
To resolve the error, use a free tool like DNS Checker to see if your DNS has propagated worldwide.
Suppose it hasn’t, modify your DNS name. The process can take a few hours to a day if you don’t know how to contact your hosting provider for assistance.
Overloaded web server
A server overload happens when certain conditions exhaust a server’s resources so other servers cannot connect. Examples include sudden high traffic spikes, server maintenance, noise and downtime or distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
Possible fixes:
- Check server usage. Hosting companies allocate a certain amount of storage or bandwidth for each hosting plan. If your website has reached the plan limit, it will show an error message. Hosting providers like Bluehost have dashboards or areas where users can check how many resources they have left. To check resource availability, log into your Bluehost account.
Once you’re in, select cPanel. It should look like the photo below. Check the Statistics area on the right side of the page.
If your storage is nearly complete, contact your hosting provider to upgrade to a higher-tiered hosting plan.
- Increase the maximum execution time limit of your PHP scripts. Server timeouts can also occur when PHP scripts take longer to complete than the set duration. You can accommodate the longer execution time by increasing the time limit. Installing the Google Pagespeed Insights plugin is one of the easiest ways. Other methods include manually editing your PHP configuration on the control panel or the .htaccess file.
Incorrect proxy settings
Proxy servers function as firewalls and filters, preventing cyberattacks and keeping data private. While they rarely cause 504 Gateway Timeout errors, having incorrect settings can trigger it by blocking access to pages via their IP addresses.
Possible fixes:
- Check your proxy server settings to see if they are correct.
Go to Settings > Network and Internet > Proxy if you use a Windows operating system. Toggle the switch off.
If you’re using a Mac, open the Apple menu > System Settings. Click on Network in the left sidebar and choose a network service on the right. When you open the network service, click Details > Proxies.
- Disable your content delivery network (CDN). Another possible issue could be with your CDN. If your computer can’t reach the other server, your CDN will try to serve the page from the cache.
Note that this isn’t a default setting.
Serving cached content only works seamlessly if the content is static (i.e., photos and HTML files) because dynamic assets can be complicated to cache.
To remedy this, temporarily disable your CDN (or any WordPress plugin you use to connect to a CDN, such as W3 Total Cache) and reload your website.
- Deactivate your firewall. Incorrect firewall configuration can be interpreted as server attacks and reject access requests. Deactivating your firewall rules it out as a possible cause of the error.
If you use a Windows operating system, go to Settings > Updates & Security (Windows 10) or Privacy and Security (Windows 11) > Windows Security > Firewall and network protection.
Choose from three network profiles: Domain, private and public.
Toggle the Microsoft Defender Firewall switch to Off to deactivate your firewall.
- Go to System Preferences > Network > Firewall if you use a Mac operating system. Toggle the switch to deactivate it.
How to prevent 504 Gateway Timeout errors
While fixing 504 Gateway Timeout errors is essential, taking preventive measures can reduce the likelihood of these issues cropping up in the first place.
Implementing a few proactive steps can enhance your site’s stability, improve user experience and protect your SEO rankings. Here’s what you can do:
Monitor your server’s performance
Frequent monitoring of your server’s performance can help you catch potential issues before they impact website visitors.
Many hosting providers offer insights on server-side problems, allowing you to monitor metrics like response times, server load and HTTP timeouts. Keeping an eye on these stats is crucial since high usage may indicate approaching resource limits.
Optimize code, plugins and themes
Outdated or inefficient code, plugins and themes can create unnecessary load on your server, leading to HTTP status codes like the 504 error.
A corrupted WordPress database or overloaded scripts can cause slowdowns, resulting in timeouts.
Regularly update and optimize these elements and remove unused plugins to avoid server-side error messages that disrupt site performance.
Implement load balancing for traffic surges
For eCommerce or high-traffic sites, unexpected traffic spikes from multiple users can overwhelm your server, leading to timeouts.
A load balancer can distribute this traffic across several servers, ensuring no single server is overburdened.
Many hosting providers offer load-balancing services as an ideal solution during high-demand periods.
Leverage Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
A content delivery network (CDN) distributes content across a network of servers, reducing the strain on your primary server.
By temporarily caching content on a site’s CDN, you can reduce the number of requests sent to your central server, especially during peak hours.
This measure helps ensure visitors experience faster load times and fewer connection issues.
Optimize database and cache configuration
Caching content and optimizing your database can significantly lighten the server’s workload. Use caching tools to store frequently accessed data and schedule regular maintenance to prevent server issues related to corrupted database files.
Further investigation into specific plugins and database queries may be needed if the error persists despite these measures.
Maintain regular backups and updates
Regular updates ensure that your server, CMS and WordPress elements, like plugins and themes, are equipped with the latest performance and security patches.
With updates, your site can prevent HTTP status codes indicating timeouts.
Keeping backups allows for quick recovery should any server issues or malicious visitors compromise your data so you can get back online seamlessly.
Choose a reliable hosting provider
A quality internet service provider with fast support, flexible plans and robust infrastructure can be the only solution to prevent recurring errors.
Some providers, like Bluehost, give you access to scalable hosting plans that handle spikes in traffic and support common server-side problems, ensuring a smooth experience for your visitors.
Regularly test server and DNS configuration
Testing your DNS and network settings can ensure that your website remains reachable.
Tools like DNS Checker can verify your DNS configuration worldwide, and testing your proxy services can detect any incorrect settings that might lead to a 504 error. Regular checks can prevent server connectivity issues that could otherwise result in site downtime.
By taking these proactive steps, you can prevent HTTP timeouts and other standard server errors, ensuring that many users can access your site without interruptions.
Remember, prevention is critical: a well-maintained site allows you to stay ahead of issues, giving just you and your visitors a seamless experience.
Final thoughts: What is 504 Gateway Timeout and how to fix it
Website owners can improve user experiences by addressing such errors as the 504 Gateway Timeout errors when they arise.
If the problem persists, contact your hosting provider for support, as mentioned earlier.
Great hosting companies like Bluehost offer multiple customer service channels, providing support to resolve server error issues quickly.
Sign up for a Bluehost hosting plan today!
FAQs
A 504 Gateway Timeout error on the client side can result from multiple reasons, such as network issues, incorrect DNS settings or outdated browser configurations. It’s always a good idea to refresh the page, check the internet connection and ensure the browser is up-to-date.
If your site’s CDN is causing connectivity issues, try temporarily disabling it to see if the error is resolved. This can be done on your CDN settings page, often located within your website’s control panel or through a WordPress plugin if you’re using one.
The default timeout for most servers is typically set between 30-60 seconds. This setting is configurable; increasing it may help if your upstream server takes longer to process requests. Check your server’s settings page or consult your hosting provider for guidance.
Yes, a 504 Gateway Timeout can happen if the upstream server—where your website’s data is stored—fails to respond quickly. This often occurs when the server is overloaded or undergoing maintenance, resulting in a timeout.
In some cases, adjusting proxy settings in your browser can alleviate a 504 error, especially if the issue is on the client side. This can be done in the browser’s settings page under the network or internet options section.
