What Is HTTP Error 504?

The HTTP error 504 or gateway timeout error stops you from accessing your website. When you see an error 504 while browsing, it means that the origin server tried to get a timely response from another server but it took too long. Without that response, the page can’t load, and the connection times out.

There are several reasons why you might run into HTTP timeout error 504. Since it’s a relatively common error, it can pay to understand its potential causes and how to troubleshoot these issues.

In this article, we’ll talk more about what error 504 is, how it can affect you, and how to fix it. Let’s get started!

What Is HTTP Timeout Error 504 (And How Does It Affect You)?

HTTP errors can vary a lot in terms of how they affect your site and what causes them. Some common examples include HTTP error 404 and error 304.

The 504 gateway timeout error is another common HTTP error that you might run into. So let’s go over what causes it.

When you visit a web page, there’s a lot that happens in the background to make its content available. Your browser sends a request and the server will process it. Then, the browser will be able to display the requested content.

For the site to load, the request needs to get a successful response. If it doesn’t get a timely response from the upstream server, you’ll receive the 504 error:

The exact error message you see depends on the browser, and whether there’s a third-party service that’s contributing to the error (we’ll talk more about this in the next section).

An HTTP 504 error can be temporary. For example, if you use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for your site and it can’t reach the origin server, you’ll see a 504 gateway timeout error:

In that scenario, your origin server might be experiencing a server overload. Once it stabilizes, the 504 gateway timeout error will go away. However, if you’re not sure what’s causing the error message for your website, you’ll want to take immediate action to fix it.

People will be unable to view your site while the 504 error message is still up. Plus, if your website is unavailable for a long time, search engine crawlers will miss updates and your site will slip down the rankings.

4 Common Causes of the HTTP 504 Gateway Timeout Error (And How to Fix Them)

Now that we know what the 504 error is, it’s time to learn how to fix it. In this section, we’ll go over some of the most common causes of the 504 gateway timeout error and how to troubleshoot them.

If you’re not sure what’s causing the 504 gateway timeout error on your site, go through each troubleshooting method one by one until you hit the right solution.

1. Server-Side Issues

One of the most common causes of 504 gateway timeout errors is server-side problems. Your server might be overwhelmed due to too much traffic, insufficient resources, or having restrictive timeout settings (leading to the error).

If you’re regularly getting 504 gateway timeout errors, it can point to a server overload. In that case, your best option might be to upgrade your hosting plan or migrate to a better provider (which doesn’t need to be difficult).

If the server has restrictive timeout settings, your next steps will vary depending on the level of access you have. With direct access to the server, you can change its settings and change the default timeout settings.

Some types of hosting plans don’t offer direct access to the server. You may need to reach out to your web host directly to help resolve the HTTP timeouts.

2. Network and Domain Name System (DNS) Problems

Issues with your server’s network configuration or domain settings can lead to a 504 gateway timeout error.

When it comes to the server’s configuration, you’ll want to make sure that there isn’t a Web Application Firewall (WAF) that might be blocking requests from other servers.

Some web hosts provide built-in WAFs that they configure and manage for you. If you don’t have access to the WAF settings, you may want to reach out to your hosting provider for assistance.

If you have a WordPress security plugin on your site, it might also be necessary to whitelist IP addresses for connected third-party services through the WordPress admin dashboard.

You’ll want to check the plugin’s documentation to see how to do this. Also, most third-party services that connect to your site will provide the IP addresses that you need to whitelist to ensure that they work properly.

If you start seeing a 504 gateway timeout error shortly after updating your DNS records, give it some time. DNS updates can take a while to propagate and the error can appear due to issues with the old records.

3. Problems with Third-Party Services

Integrating third-party services into your website can sometimes lead to a 504 gateway timeout error.

For example:

• If you’re using a CDN and it can’t reach the origin web server, the gateway can time out.
• You’re connecting to an external API and it takes so long to respond that the server times out
• You’re using a proxy server or a load balancer and it can’t connect to one of the servers involved.

If you run into a 504 error out of nowhere, it can be a temporary issue with a third-party service or proxy servers that can’t connect to your server.

To start with, check the status of the services connected to your site to see if there are any ongoing issues.

You’ll also want to double-check the service’s integration settings (how you connect the service to the website). The problem might be there, so you’ll want to refer to the service’s documentation to see what settings you need to change.

4. Local System Configuration

Issues with your local system configuration, network devices, or internet service provider can also lead to a 504 gateway timeout error. A local firewall can prevent servers from returning a response, leading to a gateway timeout.

You can quickly troubleshoot this issue by disabling your local firewall, though the process will depend on what software you use. If disabling the firewall fixes the error, you’ll want to review its settings to ensure that it’s not blocking the site’s servers. You may also want to review your proxy settings to check that they’re configured correctly.

We recommend using a different browser to visit the site and see if the error persists. Sometimes, you might still see the error due to a caching issue. Trying a different browser can help you figure out if that’s the case.

Use NameHero for Error-Free Web Hosting

No hosting provider can guarantee an error-free experience. However, a good web host can come close to it by offering system configurations that help prevent errors like the 504 gateway timeout.

Every NameHero hosting plan ensures that your web server will always be available. We also offer high-security hosting and our WAFs won’t cause any issues that block access to your website:

In case you do run into any HTTP error code, you can ask for help from the NameHero support team, which is available 24/7. The support agents can help you troubleshoot common server errors.

Conclusion

Any error that can disrupt people from accessing your website is critical. If you don’t fix it, it can lead to loss of traffic. In the case of HTTP error 504, you might even get penalized by search engines. Fortunately, the error can be easy to troubleshoot if you understand what causes it.

Here’s what can trigger HTTP error 504 for your website:

1. Server-side issues like insufficient resources or traffic spikes
2. Network and DNS problems.
3. Problems with third-party services that are connected to your site.
4. Local system configuration.

Do you have any questions about how to fix HTTP error 504? Let’s talk about them in the comments section below!