Encountering errors is inevitable. Website errors can negatively impact user experience, reduce search engine rankings, and even cause a loss in revenue. Website errors range from HTTP issues, slow loading speeds, broken links, security vulnerabilities, and database connection failures.
Understanding these website errors and their solutions will help you troubleshoot problems efficiently and keep your website running optimally. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common website errors, their causes, and step-by-step fixes to resolve them.
1. HTTP Errors and How to Fix Them
When browsing the web, you may encounter various HTTP errors that prevent a webpage from loading properly. These website errors indicate different problems, ranging from server issues to misconfigurations. Understanding these website errors and knowing how to fix them can help website owners and developers maintain a smooth online experience. These website errors include:
- 404 Not Found Error
- 500 Internal Server Error
- 403 Forbidden Error
- 502 Bad Gateway Error
1. 404 Not Found Error
A 404 Not Found Error is one of the most common website error encountered while browsing the internet. It occurs when the server cannot find the webpage that a user is trying to access. This website error can frustrate users and negatively impact website rankings and user experience if not handled properly.
What Causes a 404 Not Found Error?
Several factors can lead to a 404 error. Here are the most common reasons:
- Mistyped URL
One of the simplest reasons for a 404 error is a mistyped URL. Users may enter an incorrect web address, leading the browser to request a non-existent page.
Example: Correct: https://example.com/about-us
Incorrect: https://example.com/abot-us
- Deleted or Moved Page Without a Redirect
If a webpage is deleted or moved without setting up a proper 301 redirect, visitors attempting to access it will see a 404 error. So, if website content is updated, old URLs should be redirected to new ones, as without redirection, users and search engines will assume the page is gone permanently.
- Broken Internal or External Links
A broken link occurs when a website links to a page that no longer exists. This can happen both internally (links within your site) and externally (links from other sites pointing to yours).
If another website links to an outdated page on your site, visitors will encounter a 404 error, so regularly auditing and updating links can prevent this website error.
- Server or Database Issues
Sometimes, a server misconfiguration or database error can cause certain pages to become unavailable, resulting in a 404 error. If your website relies on dynamic content (such as WordPress), a database connection failure might lead to missing pages.
- DNS or Hosting Problems
If the website has recently changed domains or hosting providers, there might be DNS propagation delays or misconfigured hosting settings causing temporary 404 errors.
How to Fix a 404 Not Found Error?
If your website is showing 404 errors, here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve them:
- Check the URL
The first and easiest step is to verify that the URL is typed correctly. Users should double-check for typos or missing characters before assuming the page is broken.
- Set Up 301 Redirects
If a page was moved or deleted, set up a 301 redirect to guide users to the correct page. This can be done using:
- .htaccess file (for Apache servers)
- Redirect plugins (for WordPress, like Redirection)
- Server-side redirects (for Nginx and other platforms)
Example of a 301 redirect in .htaccess:
Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://example.com/new-page.html
- Restore Missing Pages
If a page was deleted accidentally, restore it from a backup or recreate it with relevant content.
- Fix Broken Links
Regularly check and update internal and external links to ensure they point to valid pages. You can use tools like:
- Google Search Console (to find 404 errors)
- Broken Link Checker (WordPress plugin)
- Ahrefs or Screaming Frog SEO Spider (for website audits)
- Create a Custom 404 Page
Instead of showing a standard “Page Not Found” message, create a user-friendly custom 404 page with helpful navigation options.
A good custom 404 page should include:
- A friendly message (e.g., “Oops! The page you’re looking for isn’t here.”)
- A search bar to help users find relevant content.
- Links to important pages (home, blog, contact).
- A call to action, such as contacting support.
- Check DNS and Hosting Issues
If a website was recently migrated or changed domains, ensure that:
- The DNS settings are properly configured.
- The hosting provider is correctly serving the website files.
- The SSL certificate is installed correctly, as incorrect HTTPS configurations can cause 404 errors.
2. 500 Internal Server Error
A 500 Internal Server Error is a generic error message indicating something is wrong on the server’s side. It doesn’t provide specific details about this website error, making troubleshooting difficult.
Causes of a 500 Internal Server Error
Several factors can trigger a 500 website error, including:
- Corrupt .htaccess file: A misconfigured or corrupted .htaccess file can cause the server to crash.
- PHP memory limit exhaustion: If your website exceeds its allocated PHP memory, it can result in an internal server error.
- Faulty plugins or themes: In platforms like WordPress, a buggy plugin or theme can interfere with server functionality.
- Misconfigured server settings: Errors in server configurations, such as Apache or Nginx settings, can lead to a 500 error.
- Permissions issues: Incorrect file permissions might prevent scripts from executing properly.
How to Fix a 500 Internal Server Error
1. Check and Restore the .htaccess File
The .htaccess file controls important server rules, and if it gets corrupted, it can cause a 500 error.
- Rename .htaccess to .htaccess_backup to disable it.
- If the error disappears, generate a fresh .htaccess file.
- In WordPress, go to Settings → Permalinks and save the settings to regenerate .htaccess.
2. Increase PHP Memory Limit
If the server runs out of memory, increase the PHP limit by modifying the php.ini file.
- Open the php.ini file and increase the memory_limit value:
memory_limit = 256M
- If you don’t have access to php.ini, add this to .htaccess:
php_value memory_limit 256M
3. Disable Plugins and Themes
If you’re using WordPress, a faulty plugin or theme could be the culprit.
- Disable all plugins by renaming the plugins folder in wp-content to plugins_disabled.
- If the site works, re-enable plugins one by one to find the problematic one.
4. Contact Your Hosting Provider
If none of the above steps work, reach out to your hosting provider for assistance. They can check server logs, error logs, and provide a resolution.
3. 403 Forbidden Error
A 403 Forbidden Error means the server is denying access to a specific webpage. This can happen due to incorrect permissions or security settings.
Causes of a 403 Forbidden Error
- Incorrect file permissions: Files or directories may have improper permission settings, blocking access.
- Security plugins blocking access: Some security tools or firewall settings may mistakenly prevent access.
- IP address restrictions: The website may be configured to deny certain IP addresses from accessing content.
How to Fix a 403 Forbidden Error
1. Adjust File and Folder Permissions
Incorrect permissions can prevent the server from loading files properly.
- Set directories to 755 and files to 644.
- Use an FTP client or SSH command:
find /path/to/your/site/ -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
find /path/to/your/site/ -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
2. Disable Security Plugins
If you’re using WordPress or another CMS, a security plugin might be blocking access.
- Disable security plugins via FTP by renaming the plugin folder in wp-content/plugins/.
- If the error disappears, re-enable plugins one by one to identify the issue.
3. Whitelist Your IP Address
If access is blocked due to an IP restriction, modify the .htaccess file:
- Open .htaccess and add:
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from YOUR_IP_ADDRESS
- Replace YOUR_IP_ADDRESS with your actual IP.
4. 502 Bad Gateway Error
A 502 Bad Gateway Error means that a server acting as a gateway or proxy failed to get a valid response from the upstream server.
Causes of a 502 Bad Gateway Error
- Server overload: Too much traffic can overwhelm the server, causing delayed or failed responses.
- Incorrect DNS settings: If the domain name system (DNS) is misconfigured, the server might not resolve correctly.
- Proxy or CDN issues: A content delivery network (CDN) like Cloudflare can sometimes create conflicts.
How to Fix a 502 Bad Gateway Error
1. Restart Web Server Services
If you manage your own server, restarting web services can resolve the issue.
- For Apache:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
- For Nginx:
sudo systemctl restart nginx
2. Update DNS Records
If the domain’s DNS settings are incorrect, it might cause a 502 error, so check your DNS records in your domain registrar’s settings and if you recently switched hosting providers, wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 48 hours).
3. Disable CDN Temporarily
Sometimes CDNs like Cloudflare may interfere with server responses therefore, you should disable Cloudflare or any CDN service temporarily. but if the site works after disabling it, update your CDN settings or contact CDN support.
2. Slow Website Loading Issues
A slow-loading website frustrates users and leads to higher bounce rates. Additionally, search engines like Google prioritize fast websites in their rankings, making speed optimization essential.
Causes of a Slow Website
Several factors can cause slow page loading times, including:
- Unoptimized images: Large image files take longer to load.
- Low-quality hosting provider: Cheap or shared hosting can slow down response times.
- Too many HTTP requests: Excessive scripts, stylesheets, and fonts increase load time.
- Heavy CSS & JavaScript files: Bloated code slows down rendering.
- Lack of caching: Without caching, browsers must reload resources each time a user visits.
- Unoptimized databases: Excessive stored data can slow down database queries.
How to Speed Up a Slow Website
1. Optimize Images
Large image files slow down loading speed. Compress and optimize large images using:
- TinyPNG or JPEG-Optimizer – Reduces file size without quality loss.
- WebP format – Modern image format offering better compression than PNG/JPG.
- Lazy Loading – Ensures images load only when they appear in the user’s viewport.
2. Enable Caching
Caching stores static versions of web pages, reducing the need to reload them from scratch.
- Use caching plugins like WP Rocket (WordPress) or LiteSpeed Cache.
- Enable server-side caching via .htaccess or Cloudflare.
3. Upgrade Hosting Plan
Cheap hosting results in slow response times. Choose a provider with:
- Fast SSD storage
- High-performance servers
- CDN integration (Cloudflare, BunnyCDN, etc.)
We at telaHosting provide fast SSD storage, high performance servers and CDN integration all at an affordable price.
4. Reduce JavaScript & CSS File Size
Too many scripts increase load time. Use minification tools to reduce file sizes:
- Autoptimize (WordPress)
- Google PageSpeed Insights (for optimization recommendations)
- Async/Defer JavaScript loading to prioritize critical content.
3. Broken Links and How to Fix Them
Broken links are URLs that no longer work, leading to a poor user experience and SEO penalties.
How Broken Links Affect SEO
Search engines crawl websites to index content. If they find too many 404 weerrors (broken links), it signals a poorly maintained site, leading to lower rankings.
To detect broken links, use:
- Google Search Console
- Broken Link Checker Plugin (for WordPress)
- SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush
Steps to Fix Broken Links
1. Update or Correct URLs
Check if a typo or formatting issue caused the broken link. Update it with the correct URL.
2. Redirect to an Active Page (301 Redirects)
If a page is removed, set up a 301 redirect to point users to a relevant page.
Example of .htaccess redirect:
Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://example.com/new-page.html
3. Remove Dead Links
If there’s no alternative page, delete the broken link or replace it with a valid resource.
4. Security Errors and Fixes
Website security is critical to protect user data, maintain SEO rankings, and prevent attacks. Common security threats include SSL certificate errors, website hacks, and database connection issues.
1. SSL Certificate Errors
An SSL certificate encrypts data and ensures website security. If not configured correctly, visitors may see a “Not Secure” warning in their browser.
How to Fix SSL Certificate Issues
- Install an SSL certificate: Buy one from a trusted provider or use a free one from Let’s Encrypt.
- Enable HTTPS redirects: Use .htaccess to force HTTPS:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
- Fix mixed content issues: Ensure all site resources (images, scripts) load over HTTPS.
2. Website Hacked or Blacklisted
If your website is hacked, visitors may see warnings, redirections, or even lose access to the site.
Signs of a Hacked Website
- Automatic redirections to spam websites.
- Google displaying a malware warning.
- Defaced homepage or unauthorized content.
Steps to Recover a Hacked Website
- Scan for malware using security plugins like Sucuri or Wordfence.
- Restore a backup: If you have a recent backup, revert to a clean version.
- Change all passwords: Update admin, database, FTP, and cPanel passwords.
- Enable security plugins: Use a firewall and limit login attempts.
5. Database Connection Issues
If you see a website error like “Error establishing a database connection”, it means the website cannot communicate with the database.
Causes of Database Errors
- Incorrect login credentials: Wrong database username, password, or hostname.
- Corrupt database tables: Over time, databases may develop website errors.
- Overloaded database server: High traffic can overload server resources.
How to Fix Database Errors
- Verify database credentials: Check wp-config.php (for WordPress) or equivalent files.
- Repair corrupt tables using phpMyAdmin:
- Log into phpMyAdmin
- Select your database → Click Check All
- Choose “Repair Table” from the dropdown menu.
- Optimize the database: Remove unused tables, optimize queries, and reduce overhead using tools like WP-Optimize (WordPress).
Conclusion
Website errors can be frustrating, but they are manageable. Whether it’s HTTP errors, slow loading speeds, broken links, security vulnerabilities, or database failures, knowing how to diagnose and fix these website errors ensures a seamless online experience.
For a reliable hosting provider that minimizes these problems, we at telaHosting offers fast, secure, and optimized hosting solutions.
FAQs
- What should I do if my website displays a blank white screen?
This is often due to a PHP error or memory issue. Try increasing memory limits and disabling plugins.
- How can I prevent website errors?
Regular updates, backups, and security measures help prevent website errors.
- What tool can I use to monitor website errors?
Use Google Search Console, GTmetrix, and Pingdom to monitor website errors.
- How do I fix a website that won’t load?
Check server status, clear the browser cache, and inspect DNS settings.
- Can a slow hosting provider cause website errors?
Yes! Poor hosting leads to slow loading, security risks, and frequent downtime. Upgrade to telaHosting for better performance.
