Troubleshooting web hosting issues is something you can do apart from your technical team.Â
Understanding why your website is not loading and, more importantly, what to do about it can save your business from lost revenue, lost leads, and damaged reputation.Â
In this guide, we will cover ten ways to troubleshoot your website issues by yourself.Â
10 Web Hosting Troubleshooting Methods
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Is Your Site Down Only for You?
If you are having trouble accessing your website, do not jump to conclusions just yet. The issue could be only on your end (and might not be affecting everyone else—yet).Â
To verify this, open your web browser, type in your site’s URL, and press Enter. If the page loads successfully, there is no need to worry.Â
Pro tip: Use a tool like Site24x7 to keep track of your website uptime.Â
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Is Your Network Connection Verified?
Sometimes, the root of a web hosting issue can be something as basic as a slow Wi-Fi connection or a faulty Ethernet cable.Â
So, make sure your internet connection is functioning properly, and if necessary, reboot your router and wait a minute before you turn it back on.Â
Pro tip: Check if the website is loading on your mobile using mobile data. If the page loads just fine, the problem lies with your local network.Â
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Tried Accessing the Website from Another Device?
If your website is not loading as expected, access it from any other device — it could be a tablet, a laptop, or even a desktop.Â
Pro tip: Sometimes, outdated software can cause security problems, which can lead to website hosting issues. So, keep up with your computer’s operating system updates.Â
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What Do the Error Messages in Your Browser Mean?
When your website fails to load, your web browser can offer important clues as to what might be wrong. Pay attention to the following error messages: Â
- 404 Not Found: This means the web page you are looking for does not exist or has been moved.Â
- 500 Internal Server Error: This indicates that the website’s server is having a problem, so the site is not working correctly.Â
- 403 Forbidden: This means you are not allowed to access the page, possibly because it is private or restricted.Â
- 502 Bad Gateway: This means that the server that helps your browser find the web page got an error from another server.Â
- 504 Gateway Timeout: In this case, your browser could not get a quick response from a server it needed to load the web page.Â
- 401 Unauthorized: Here, you need a password or permission to view the page, as the one you provided is not working.Â
- 503 Service Unavailable: The server is too busy to respond due to high traffic or maintenance.Â
These error messages can provide valuable insights into the main issue with your website and can help guide your troubleshooting efforts in the right direction.Â
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Tried Another Browser?
If your website is behaving erratically or not loading in one browser, consider switching to another.Â
Remember that sometimes, the problem can be browser specific. For instance, if you are facing issues in Google Chrome, give Firefox or Safari a try.Â
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Did You Check the DNS Records?
Now, let’s dive deeper into the technical side of things. DNS (Domain Name System) issues can be the source of your troubles.Â
That’s why it’s essential to verify that your DNS settings are accurate and that your domain is pointing to the correct IP address. Seek expert help if you are unsure about where to start.
RECOMMENDED: A Layman’s Guide to Understand the Domain Name System
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Why Not Extract Insights from Error Logs?
Most reliable web hosting services keep error logs that document your website’s performance. Think of these logs as your website’s diary, chronicling issues it encounters 24/7.Â
You can access these logs through your hosting control panel to identify and understand the problem from the source.Â
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Leveraged the Power of Developer Tools Yet?
Your web browser’s developer tools can be a valuable resource. All you need to do is right-click on your web page and select ‘Inspect’ or ‘Inspect Element.’Â
Then, within the ‘Console’ tab, you will find detailed error messages and warnings that can provide crucial insights into what is going wrong. For further help, get technical assistance from your web hosting company.Â
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Have You Looked Up Recent Changes Made?
Have you made any recent changes to your website? Maybe you have added new plugins.Â
Or perhaps you have updated the theme recently. Changes like these can sometimes introduce issues due to incompatibility or software conflicts.Â
To pinpoint the cause, systematically revert these recent changes one by one and see whether your website is working properly or not.Â
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Tried Restoring a Backup?
In situations where all other troubleshooting methods fall short, a clean slate can work wonders.Â
Consider restoring a backup of your website to when it was functioning smoothly. This step can be a real lifesaver when the web hosting issues become too complex to solve.Â
Host and Manage Your Website on the Fastest Hosting Platform: Crazy DomainsÂ
An important component of web hosting is troubleshooting.Â
How quickly can you get support? Does the web hosting service provider offer 24/7 support? Do you have access to the necessary resources and knowledge base to get instant help?Â
If your answer is mostly no, it’s time to switch your web hosting server. Crazy Domains web hosting offers:Â
- 99.9% uptime and round-the-clock expert technical support via chatÂ
- Lightning-fast page loading timeÂ
- 60-day money-back guaranteeÂ
Experience secure and reliable web hosting services today!