Key takeaways:
- HTTP Error 503 is a server-side issue that causes temporary unavailability of a website.
- Search bots like Googlebot may stop indexing your website if they keep encountering a 503-response code.
- Checking plugins, themes, CDN, firewall settings, log files, and upgrading server resources can help website owners fix error 503.
HTTP Error 503 is a common issue for unresponsive website servers. Running into error 503 can be frustrating, especially if the cause is vague or unclear, leaving you hanging and questioning what the next step should be.
In this article, you’ll learn what HTTP 503 means, why it happens, and how to fix it.
What is HTTP error 503?
Error 503 (Service Unavailable) means that the website’s server is temporarily unable to handle incoming requests. This usually happens due to heavy traffic or ongoing maintenance.
For website owners, HTTP error 503 can hurt search rankings and cause fewer site visitors. How? When crawlers, like Googlebot, run into a 503 error while crawling your site, they may stop indexing your page. This leads to lower chances of appearing in search results.
For end users, Error 503 can also be tricky. Usually, you’ll see a message like “Service Temporarily Unavailable” or “503 Service Unavailable.
It’s hinting at a service-side issue but that’s it. It doesn’t say why the server is down or the next step. This unclear message affects website owners, too. It makes diagnosing the cause of the error take longer than expected.
Note: Error 503 is different from Error 504, which has something to do with communication issue or problem between servers.
What causes HTTP error 503 to occur?
The HTTP error 503 occurs when the following happens:
- There are too many visitors visiting the page at the same time.
- The website is going through scheduled maintenance or updates.
- A faulty or incompatible website plugin is causing the server to crash.
- Hackers could be overloading the site with fake traffic.
- Server settings are incorrect.
Different versions of HTTP error 503
HTTPS error 503 usually appears as 503 Service Unavailable, but it can show up differently depending on your browser.
Here are different versions you might see:
- 503 Service Unavailable
- 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable
- Error 503 Service Unavailable
- HTTP Error 503
- HTTP Server Error 503
- There’s a problem with your content delivery network (CDN).
- Firewalls are blocking the traffic by mistake.
While the messages look different, they all include a 503 response code. So, no matter what version you see, it’s important to act fast. This is especially true for website owners since delays can waste their search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.
How to fix HTTP Error 503
To fix 503 response as a website owner, consider doing the following:
- Disable unnecessary plugins
- Temporarily deactivate the website theme
- Slow down WordPress Heartbeat API
- Deactivate your CDN
- Check your log files
- Review and fix Firewall configurations
- Upgrade your server resources
1. Disable unnecessary plugins
Disabling each of your site’s plugins will help you find out which plugin is causing the 503 error.
To do this, you can go to your website’s admin dashboard and find the list of plugins. Disable all of them first. Then, enable them one by one. With each plugin, reload your page to see whether the error is gone or persists.
If you can’t access the dashboard, you can access your server files through your hosting provider’s file manager and manually disable the plugins.
2. Temporarily deactivate website theme
Broken or poorly coded themes can conflict with your server, causing a 503 error and making your site temporarily inaccessible. Try temporarily switching to a default theme to test if your theme is the issue.
Most website builders and CMS platforms let you change through the admin dashboard. After switching, refresh your site to check if the error is gone.
If you can’t access the dashboard due to the 503 error, consider using your hosting provider’s file manager or a database tool like phpMyAdmin to manually change the theme. This depends on your platform.
3. Slow down WordPress Heartbeat API
Heartbeat API is specifically for WordPress websites. It allows continuous communication between your browser and the server. While it’s useful for autosaving or showing live notifications, it can cause a server overload, especially when multiple users log in.
You can disable the Heartbeat API via FTP by modifying your site’s files, but doing so removes several functioning features. A better option is to slow it down instead of turning it off completely.
To do this, install the Heartbeat Control plugin. In the Modify Heartbeat settings, drop the frequency as low as possible. This will help reduce server load without losing useful features.
4. Deactivate your CDN
CDNs helps you evenly distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers. However, issues with your CDN, like misconfigurations and expired cached data, cause a 503 error.
To check if your CDN is the issue, temporarily pause or disable it. The process of disabling your CDN varies depending on the platform you’re using. But usually, you can disable it through your hosting dashboard. Look for CDN and toggle the switch button.
Once disabled, reload your site and see if the error is gone.
If disabling the CDN fixes the issue, consider contacting your provider for help before turning it back on.
5. Check your log files
Logs can help you narrow down the cause of error 503 on your website. While checking your log files isn’t an instant fix, it’s a helpful step to pinpoint what went wrong.
Start with your error logs. These provide information on what happened on the server, like crashes, memory overload, or failed processes. Accessing these logs may vary depending on your platform, but you’ll usually find them in your hosting dashboard.
Scan the logs for entries around the time the error appears. Look for plugin failures, memory issues, or misconfigured files.
You can also check your debug logs for more detailed information. However, you have to enable this one manually and check the files in your site’s directory.
6. Review and fix Firewall configurations
Firewalls protect your website from malicious traffic, but misconfigured settings or overly strict rules can accidentally block legitimate requests.
In this case, if you’re using a Website Application Firewall (WAF) or a built-in firewall from your hosting provider, consider contacting them. Ask them to review the firewall settings and recent blocks. They can help check if the firewall is the reason for the error.
7. Upgrade your server resources
If you’re on shared hosting, this could also be the issue. When your site shares resources, like memory, CPU, or bandwidth, with other websites, it’s more likely to run into limitations.
The easiest way to fix this is to upgrade your hosting package. Contact your hosting provider for help with your upgrade. They can give you advice and offer great deals.
Basic troubleshooting steps to fix HTTP error 503 (for end users)
While HTTP error 503 is a server-side issue, end users can still take a few first steps to fix it. Consider taking these steps to resolve 503 error:
- Refresh the page. Wait a few seconds and reload the page to bypass temporary overload.
- Clear your browser cache. Clear outdated data and try again.
- Use a different device or browser. Try loading the page on another device or browser to bypass device-specific issues.
- Check the website’s status. Use third-party tools to check the site’s status.
If the issue persists, the cause of the 503 error might be something only the website owner can fix.
Keep your website error-free
HTTP error 503 is a reminder that even temporary issues can significantly impact your site’s performance. Now that you’ve learned both basic and advanced troubleshooting solutions, moving forward, error 503 should be an easy fix.
Want to keep a smooth, error-free website? Explore reliable hosting solutions from Network Solutions. Whether you’re just starting or ready to scale, we have the tools to support your needs.
Frequently asked questions
HTTP error 503 means that the server where the website belongs can’t handle a client’s request due to high traffic, ongoing maintenance, or misconfigured settings.
When your site is temporarily unavailable to users and search engines, search engines like Google may stop indexing your pages, which can hurt your search rankings.
One way to manage error 503 is to use a Retry-After header. While this won’t stop the error from happening, it gives users and search engines a clear direction of when to try again, reducing the risk of damaging your SEO.
You can also prevent 503 errors by upgrading your hosting plan, temporarily deactivating your site’s plugins or themes, and fixing firewall configurations.
HTTP error 503 is temporary, but its duration can vary. It can last from seconds to several hours, depending on the cause.
To bypass error 503, review your security settings regularly. Check your firewall and Content Delivery Network (CDN) configurations to ensure they aren’t blocking legitimate traffic. Choosing a reliable hosting provider with enough resources also helps keep your site running smoothly, reducing the chances of a 503 response code.
Both 500 and 503 errors are server-side, but the nature of their causes is different. The 500 error, while it knows there’s a problem, it’s unclear what caused it. The error 503, on the other hand, is usually due to traffic spikes, maintenance, and misconfigured settings.
To fix error 503, you can:
1. Turn off unnecessary website plugins
2. Temporarily deactivate your website’s theme
3. Slow down WordPress Heartbeat API if you’re using WordPress
4. Deactivate your Content Delivery Network
5. Check your log files
6. Review and fix your Firewall settings
7. Upgrade your hosting plan
