How to fix "too many redirects" errors

This guide explains how to find and fix the cause when your browser says “This page isn’t working” with ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS, or “The page isn’t redirecting properly”.

What the error means

Your site is sending the browser round in a circle. For example, one rule sends http:// to https://, and another sends https:// back to http://. The browser gives up after a few loops. Something in your settings is contradicting something else, so the fix is to find the two settings that disagree.

Clear cookies and try again

Start with the simplest check, as browsers can remember an old redirect.

1. Open a private or incognito window and visit your site.
2. If it works there, clear the cookies and cache for your domain in your normal browser.

If the private window shows the same error, carry on below.

Check Cloudflare SSL settings

If you use Cloudflare, this is the most common cause.

1. Log in to Cloudflare and open your domain.
2. Go to SSL/TLS (wording may vary).
3. If the mode is Flexible, change it to Full or Full (strict).

With Flexible, Cloudflare talks to our server over http://. If your site then redirects to https://, Cloudflare passes that back and the loop starts. Your hosting already has a free SSL certificate, so Full (strict) works.

Look for duplicate redirects

Only one thing should be forcing HTTPS or adding or removing www.

1. In cPanel, open Domains and see if Force HTTPS Redirect is turned on.
2. Open File Manager, go to public_html, turn on Show Hidden Files in Settings, and edit .htaccess.
3. Look for lines starting RewriteRule or Redirect that point to http://, https:// or www.
4. If cPanel’s switch is on and .htaccess also has an HTTPS rule, remove one of them. If one rule adds www and another removes it, delete one.
5. Check the Redirects page in cPanel’s Domains section as well.

Copy .htaccess before editing it, so you can put it back if something goes wrong.

Check your WordPress addresses

WordPress redirects visitors to the address saved in its settings. If that doesn’t match how the site is reached, it can loop.

1. In WordPress, go to Settings, then General.
2. Check WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are identical, and both match the address you want, including https:// and www or no www.

If you can’t reach the dashboard, see how to change your WordPress site address.

Redirect and security plugins can also cause loops. To test, rename the wp-content/plugins folder as described in how to fix the white screen of death, then rename it back.

If it doesn’t work

• Only one page loops. Check for a redirect rule or plugin setting for that page alone.
• It started after a change. Restore a backup from before the change. See how to restore a backup with JetBackup.
• You can’t see where the loop comes from. Send us your domain name and the page address in a ticket.

Good to know

To set up HTTPS the right way from the start, see how to force HTTPS on your website.

Still stuck? Open a support ticket and we’ll help.