The HTTP 504 error is a gateway timeout error, indicating that an intermediary server did not receive a timely response from the upstream server. This typically means that the server is down or not functioning properly, resulting in the inability to load the requested resource. The error message “server is unavailable” suggests that the server is temporarily unavailable and may be due to maintenance, high traffic, or other reasons. Try again later or contact the website owner for more information.
504 Gateway Timeout Causes
There are many possible causes for a 504 Gateway Timeout error.
1. Server Overload: When too many requests are made to a server at once, it can’t handle all of them and results in a 504 Gateway Timeout. This can be due to high traffic volume, incorrect configuration, or malicious attacks.
2. DNS Issues: If the Domain Name Server (DNS) isn’t properly configured or is overloaded, it can cause 504 Gateway Timeout errors.
3. Incorrect Server Configuration: A misconfigured firewall or incorrect settings on the server itself can also result in 504 Gateway Timeout errors
4. Network Congestion: A congested network which could be due to a malfunctioning router, overloaded switches, or simply too many devices trying to use the network at once can also cause 504 Gateway Timeout errors
5. Malicious Attacks: Malicious attacks like DDoS attacks, malware infections, or spam campaigns can also be a cause of 504 Gateway Timeout errors
6. Invalid URLs: Mistyping incorrect URLs or using invalid symbols can cause a 504 Gateway Timeout error
7. Problems With the Browser Cache: If the cached files on the browser are corrupted or not up to date, it can cause an error. This can be tackled by removing the cache on the browser or by using a different browser.
8. Corrupted WordPress Database: A corrupt WordPress database can cause a 504 gateway timeout error. The database could get corrupt for so many reasons including wrong or theme updates, brute force attacks, or even something as simple as a corrupt .htaccess file.
Here are some steps to resolve a 504 error:
The error could be temporary and may resolve on its own after some time. Try refreshing the page after a few minutes.
- Make sure your network connection is stable and working. Restarting your router or modem could fix the problem.
- Clearing the browser cache can help resolve the issue. The issue could be specific to the browser you’re using. Try accessing the website with a different browser to see if the problem persists.
- Flush the DNS Cache: If you’re using Windows, you can flush the DNS cache by opening the Command Prompt and entering the following directive:
ipconfig /flushdns
If it worked, you would see a “Successfully flushed the DNS resolver Cache.”
- Check Your Proxy Settings: Incorrect proxy server settings can sometimes be the reason. Disable the proxy server and reload the webpage to see whether it’ll fix the error. You can skip this step if you do not use a proxy service.
- Disable Your Site’s CDN: The problem could also be with your content delivery network(CDN). Most CDNs will try to serve the full webpage from their cache if a site’s origin server is not reachable.
- Check Server Issues With Your Host: The issue can be on your host’s end. One of the most common reasons for facing a 504 Gateway Timeout error is server issues
A 504 Gateway Timeout error indicates that the web server is waiting too long to respond from another server and is “timing out.” It might be a result of server overload or malfunction