Encountering the 502 Bad Gateway error on your WordPress site can be frustrating, especially since it can stem from various causes and doesn’t provide clear instructions for fixing it.
This guide outlines straightforward steps to resolve your WordPress website’s 502 Bad Gateway error.
What is a 502 Bad Gateway Error?
A 502 Bad Gateway error occurs when your hosting server receives an invalid response from an upstream server. It often happens when a server takes too long to respond, potentially due to high traffic, issues with WordPress themes or plugins, or server misconfigurations.
Now, let’s go over how to fix this issue.
Reload Your Website
Server response times may be affected by high traffic or limited resources. Reloading the page can resolve temporary issues. If the error disappears, further troubleshooting may not be necessary. However, if the problem recurs, continue with the next steps.
Clear Browser Cache
Your browser might be displaying a cached error page. Even if the issue is resolved, the 502 error could still appear. To fix this, clear your browser cache. You can also read our guide on clearing the cache in major browsers. Additionally, consider clearing your WordPress cache. If the error persists across different browsers, further investigation is needed.
Disable CDN or Firewall
If you’re using a CDN or a WordPress firewall, they could be causing the issue. Temporarily disable these services to check if they’re the source of the problem. This will remove any added layers between your browser and the server. If disabling them resolves the error, contact your provider for guidance on re-enabling the services.
Update Themes and Plugins
Outdated themes or plugins can lead to 502 errors. Start by deactivating all plugins via FTP, then check your website. If the error is resolved, reactivate plugins individually to identify the culprit. If this doesn’t solve the issue, switch to a default WordPress theme using phpMyAdmin to see if the theme is the problem.
Restore a Backup
If you have a backup plugin with remote storage, consider restoring a previous backup to return your website to its pre-error state. For detailed instructions on restoring backups, refer to our beginner’s guide on WordPress backup restoration. Using backup plugins like Duplicator can help safeguard your site against future errors.
Check for PHP Timeouts
PHP timeouts can trigger 502 errors if scripts take too long to execute, often due to complex calculations or poorly optimized code. Enable debug mode to identify problematic scripts or consult our guide on resolving “Fatal Error: Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” for further assistance.
Contact Your Hosting Provider
If none of the above solutions work, contact your web hosting support. They can check server error logs and provide insights into the issue. Be sure to inform them about the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken, as reputable hosting companies can quickly resolve server misconfigurations.
