How To Quickly Resolve The 504 Gateway Timeout WordPress Error

Dealing with a 504 Gateway Timeout WordPress error site can be frustrating. You’ve worked hard to create content, and suddenly, access is blocked, causing visitors to think that your site is down and miss out on what you have to offer. 

There’s a risk that your site’s search visibility could decrease if the issue persists. Unlike the 500 error, which has a generic message and can stem from many issues, a 504 error specifically points to server communication timeouts.

Still, it’s not a dead end. We’ve been there, too, and know just what steps to take to fix it. With the right approach, you can easily restore your site, and reconnect with your audience.

TL;DR: A 504 gateway timeout error happens when your site fails to load because one server is taking too long to respond to another. Before you attempt any modifications to your WordPress core files, it’s important to backup your entire site using a backup plugin. This step safeguards your data and prevents potential crashes during troubleshooting.

What is the 504 gateway timeout WordPress error

A 504 Gateway Timeout error happens when one server takes too long to respond to another server’s request, keeping your website from loading. It’s similar to trying to update an app on your device; the download stalls because the server isn’t responding, leaving the app outdated and unusable.

In the same way, if your website is waiting for data from an external server that’s slow or unresponsive, the site won’t load, leading to an error message.

Common causes of the 504 gateway timeout error

Several factors can lead to a 504 gateway timeout error on your site. Here are some:

Server overload: If a large number of users access your site simultaneously, the server may overload, causing delays and eventual timeouts.

Slow plugins or scripts: Some plugins or scripts on your site might execute more slowly than expected, leading to a timeout while the server waits for them to finish.

DNS modifications: Alterations to DNS settings can create temporary disruptions in server communication until the new configurations are fully adopted.

Firewall configurations: If your WordPress firewall or security settings are too aggressive, they might block necessary communication between servers, causing connection issues.

Network interruptions: Disruptions in network connectivity can hinder efficient server communication, resulting in a timeout error.

Hosting provider issues: Problems such as outages or maintenance activities at your hosting provider can also make your site temporarily unavailable.

How to resolve the 504 gateway timeout WordPress error

Here are some easy steps you can take to resolve this error:

Reload the page

Begin by refreshing your website. This simple action can often fix minor server issues that might be causing the 504 error. A quick reload often resolves temporary communication disruptions between servers.

Verify if it’s only you

Use tools like Is It Down Right Now to check if the site is down globally or just for you. If you find the issue is isolated to you, review your internet connection for any problems.

Disable VPN

Turn off your VPN temporarily, as it might add delays by interfering with server connections. If turning it off resolves the issue, consider using a different VPN service that might be more compatible.

Turn off firewalls

Temporarily disable any firewalls or antivirus software that could be blocking necessary server requests. Sometimes, these security tools mistakenly classify normal traffic as threats, causing access issues.

Change DNS servers

Switch your DNS settings to alternatives like Google DNS or Cloudflare. Here’s how:

1. Access network settings:

For Windows: Open the Network and Sharing center in the Control Panel. Next, click on Change Adapter settings, right-click your active network, and select Properties.

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), then click on the Properties box.

For macOS: Go to System Settings. In the search bar, look up DNS servers.

2. Change DNS server addresses:

Enter the following for either Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1).

3. Save and restart:

Click OK or Apply to save changes. Then, disconnect and reconnect your network or restart your device to implement the new settings.

Disable CDN

Turn off your content delivery network temporarily to determine if it’s causing any connectivity problems. Sometimes, interactions between the CDN and the server can lead to 504 errors.

Deactivate themes and plugins

Turn off all themes and plugins temporarily to see if they’re causing slow responses. Use the WordPress admin panel to deactivate each, then check your site.

If you can’t access your admin panel, use FTP to deactivate them:

1. Connect to your site via FTP:

Use the credentials provided by your web host to connect your FTP client to your website.

2. Find the wp-content folder:

Look within your root directory, often labeled public_html or www. Here, locate the wp-content folder.

3. Rename plugin and theme folders:

Rename the plugins folder to pluginname_old and the themes folder to themes_old. Test your site again, and rename the folders back if the issue is resolved. Activate each one by one for troubleshooting.

Optimize WordPress database

Clean and optimize your database. Access phpMyAdmin through your hosting control panel and optimize tables manually. Remove unnecessary data, like spam comments, ensuring you have a backup of your database first to prevent slow server responses.

Examine .htaccess file

Look for errors or misconfigurations in your .htaccess file. Regenerate it using this code:

Note: Make sure you backup any custom rules and re-add them individually to test for issues.

# BEGIN WordPress

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>

RewriteEngine On

RewriteBase /

RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d

RewriteRule . /index.php [L]

</IfModule>

# END WordPress

Check DNS status

Confirm that your DNS settings are current and accurate. Use DNS checking tools to ensure that your configurations are correctly set, as errors can affect your site’s connectivity.

Extend PHP time limit

Increase the PHP execution time limit in your wp-config.php file. Your scripts might be running too slow, causing timeouts.

Contact your hosting provider

If troubleshooting doesn’t fix the problem, contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can investigate server-side issues, such as outages or maintenance activities, and help resolve them.

How does this error impact your website

Traffic decline: If your website doesn’t load, visitors may leave and not come back, which results in a decrease in web traffic.

Search visibility drop: Search engines watch how websites perform. Frequent downtime can push your site lower in rankings, making it less visible to potential visitors.

Trust issues: Encountering an error message instead of your site can lead users to question its reliability, discouraging return visits.

Sales impact: If your site facilitates sales, any downtime could mean lost business opportunities and a reduction in revenue since customers can’t make their purchases.

Best practices to prevent the 504 gateway timeout WordPress error

Keeping your WordPress site running smoothly means addressing potential issues before they occur. Here are some useful steps to help you prevent those dreaded 504 gateway timeout errors:

Optimize server resources: Confirm that your server has ample capacity to manage visitor demand effectively. Opt for a trustworthy hosting provider with plans that meet your site’s requirements.

Monitor website performance and traffic: Regularly check your site’s performance metrics and visitor count. This helps identify issues early so you can make necessary adjustments quickly.

Regularly update DNS: Ensure your DNS settings are always up-to-date for fast and smooth connections without unnecessary delays.

Limit resource-intensive plugins and scripts: Minimize the usage of bulky plugins or scripts to keep your site running efficiently. A streamlined site loads faster with fewer slowdowns.

Use caching: Introduce caching mechanisms to save parts of your website, allowing for quicker access. This improves load times as it reduces the need to reload everything from scratch.

Review firewall and security settings: Examine your security configurations to prevent legitimate user traffic from being accidentally blocked, ensuring smooth accessibility for visitors.

Parting thoughts

It’s crucial to fix 504 gateway timeout errors quickly since it may cause visitors to leave. This eventually affecting your site’s visibility and potential sales. Regularly monitoring and adjusting your site can help prevent these errors, ensuring it stays fast and dependable.

If these issues continue despite your efforts, reaching out to your hosting provider is a wise move. They can assist in addressing problems that might be beyond your reach, helping to get your site back to its optimal performance.

FAQs

How to fix a 504 gateway timeout in WordPress?

If your WordPress site encounters a 504 gateway timeout error, start by refreshing the page. This might clear up a temporary issue. Double-check your internet connection, and ensure that no firewall or VPN is blocking access. If the problem persists, contacting your hosting provider can help resolve larger server-related issues.

What is the timed-out error in WordPress?

A timed-out error means your website is trying to connect to the server but is taking too long. This delay can occur if the server is overloaded or if parts of your website are slow to load.

How to avoid 504 gateway timeout in PHP?

Prevent 504 errors in PHP by making sure your scripts execute efficiently. Optimize your code for speed, use caching for quicker data retrieval, and monitor server performance to prevent overloads.

What is the 504 error?

A 504 error resembles a traffic jam on the server. It occurs when a server waits too long for a response from another server, causing delays and hindering your site’s ability to load, which can frustrate visitors.

What is the maximum execution time for WordPress?

The maximum execution time for WordPress refers to the limit on how long a script can run before it stops. This is typically set at 30 seconds, but it can be increased if necessary. Make sure the time is set correctly to prevent any unintended stoppages of processes on your site.