Encountering issues with your website can be frustrating and confusing. Whether it’s a complete outage or minor glitches, knowing how to troubleshoot effectively can help you resolve problems quickly. These are some steps you can take that will help you diagnose and fix common website issues.
If you are having issues on WordPress and need to troubleshoot specific to it, check out our guide on How to Troubleshoot WordPress Issues for specific troubleshooting.
- Determine if the Site is Down for Everyone or Just You
- Verify the Server Status
- Test on Another Device or Browser
- Check for Specific Error Messages
- Check DNS Settings
- Utilize Browser Developer Tools
- Enable Debugging (if applicable)
- Review Server Logs
- Check for Recent Backups
- Contact Hosting Support
1. Determine if the Site is Down for Everyone or Just You
First, check if the website is experiencing issues globally or if the problem is specific to your connection.
Use a tool like Site24x7 or Is It Down Right Now to verify the user is external or that other users are facing the same problem. This can helpdetermine if it’s a widespread outage or an issue on your end.
2. Verify the Server Status
Server problems can cause websites to go down. Visit your hosting provider’s status page or check their social or support channels for any ongoing maintenance or announcements. This will help you confirm if the problem lies with the host server itself.
3. Test on Another Device or Browser
Sometimes, the issue might be related to your device or browser. Try clearing your cookies and cache, or accessing the website from a different device or using a different web browser to see if the problem continues.
4. Check for Specific Error Messages
When you encounter problems, error messages can provide valuable clues. Some of the most common error codes are:
- 403 Forbidden – Indicates a permissions issue. You might not have access to the resource.
- 404 Not Found – The page or resource you’re trying to access doesn’t exist.
- 500 Internal Server Error – A generic error message indicating a server-side problem.
- 503 Service Unavailable – The server is temporarily unable to handle requests.
- 504 Gateway Timeout – The server took too long to respond to a request.
5. Check DNS Settings
DNS issues can prevent your website from loading properly. Use a tool like DNS Checker to ensure your domain’s DNS records are correctly configured to your web host or provider, and are up to date.
6. Utilize Browser Developer Tools
Modern browsers come with built-in developer tools. Open the Console tab to look for any error messages or warnings that could indicate problems with the site’s scripts or resources. This can provide detailed insights into what might be going wrong.
7. Enable Debugging (if applicable)
If your website uses a content management system (CMS) or custom software, check if there is a debugging mode that can be enabled. This often provides more detailed error messages that can help diagnose issues.
For example, WordPress has a debugging mode that can be turned on via its wp-config.php file (by changing the following line:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false )
from false to true:
- “define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );”
(If you are having WordPress issues and need to troubleshoot, check out our How to Troubleshoot WordPress article.)
8. Review Server Logs
Server logs are crucial for understanding backend issues. Access your server’s logs to find errors or warnings that could be affecting your site’s performance. Check your DirectAdmin or cPanel control panael for the Logs or Errors page to find out more. These logs can often pinpoint the root cause of the problem.
9. Check for Recent Backups
If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, consider restoring your website from a recent backup. Ensure that backups are up to date and functioning correctly. This can help you revert to a stable version of your site if needed.
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10. Contact Hosting Support
If none of the above steps helped pinpoint or resolve the issue, reach out to your web host or provider’s support team. They can provide specialized assistance and help you address server-related problems or outages.
If you host your own website, you may need a professional team to further troubleshoot and avoid downtime. If you need specialized assistance, feel free to reach out and we’ll be glad to help!