If you’ve ever tried to visit a website only to be stuck in a never-ending redirect loop showing the error message “ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS,” you know how frustrating it can be. Instead of reaching the page you want, your browser keeps bouncing between URLs without success.
This common error affects both website visitors and owners alike. When visitors can’t access your site, it means lost opportunities, fewer customers, and worse rankings on Google.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly what the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error means, why it happens, and how to fix it step-by-step. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to solve this problem quickly and prevent it from happening again.
For those interested in mastering website troubleshooting and SEO strategies like this, enrolling in a comprehensive digital marketing course in Jaipur can provide hands-on training with real-world tools and techniques.
What Are ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS?
The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error happens when a website causes your browser to be redirected (sent) between different URLs too many times. Your browser tries to follow these redirects, but eventually, it gives up because it's stuck in a loop.
What Is a Redirect and Why Does It Happen?
A redirect is when a website tells your browser to go from one URL to another automatically. It is common when websites move pages, switch to secure connections (HTTPS), or reorganize content. For example, a redirect can send visitors from:
- http://example.com → https://example.com
- example.com → www.example.com
Redirects are normal and helpful. But when they're not set up properly, the website can send the browser back and forth in a loop.
What Causes "Too Many Redirects" in Technical Terms?
The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error usually means your website has a redirect loop—where one URL keeps redirecting to another and then back again. This endless cycle confuses the browser, preventing the page from loading. Incorrect redirect settings or conflicting site configurations often cause it.
Common Scenarios Where This Error Appears
- When visiting a site on any browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
- On WordPress websites, due to URL or plugin misconfiguration.
- When switching from HTTP to HTTPS without proper setup.
- After changing domain settings or moving to a new host.
How Does ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Affect Your Website?
The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error can have serious effects on your website, both in terms of user experience and your online visibility. Let's take a closer look at how it impacts your website and why fixing it quickly is so important.
Poor User Experience
The first and most immediate problem
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Negative Impact on SEO and Search Rankings
Search engines like Google want to show users websites that are fast, secure, and easy to access. If your site constantly sends users into a redirect loop, search engines will notice. Over time, they may stop indexing those pages or reduce your website's rankings in search results. It leads to less organic traffic, making it harder for new visitors to find you through search.
Loss of Traffic, Sales, and Conversions
Whether you run a blog, an eCommerce store, or a business website, traffic is important. If users can't reach your site, you miss out on page views, sales, leads, or subscriptions. For online businesses, every lost visitor could mean lost revenue. In today's competitive digital world, it only takes one bad experience to lose a customer.
In short, the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error not only stops your site from working properly—it can also hurt your reputation, reduce your traffic, and impact your business growth. Fixing it quickly helps you keep visitors happy and your website running smoothly.
Common Causes of ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS
The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error usually happens when your website keeps sending users from one page to
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issues:
Incorrect URL Redirects
Redirects between HTTP and HTTPS, or between www and non-www versions of your site, can easily create loops if not set up properly. For example, if http://example.com redirects to https://www.example.com, and that redirects back to http://example.com, the cycle never ends.
Misconfigured Website Settings
In WordPress and other content management systems (CMS), incorrect settings for your Site URL or Home URL can cause redirect problems. If your WordPress dashboard uses http://, but your server forces https://, it creates a loop that confuses browsers.
Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Some plugins, especially those handling security, redirection, or SEO, may conflict with each other or your theme. If more than one tool tries to manage redirects, it may result in an endless loop.
Server-Side Issues
Server-side issues happen when your website's server is set up incorrectly. For example, a wrong redirect rule in the .htaccess file (on Apache servers) or a misconfiguration in Nginx can cause endless redirect loops. These problems confuse your browser and stop the website from loading correctly.
Cookies or Browser Cache
Sometimes, the error isn't from the website but from your browser. Corrupted cookies or old cache files can store incorrect data that causes redirect loops. Clearing your browser's cookies and cache often fixes the issue quickly and lets you load the website properly again without any errors.
How to Check If ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Is Happening
Before you start fixing the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error, it's important to confirm that the issue is actually happening and not just a one-time glitch. Here are a few simple and effective ways to check if your website is caught in a redirect loop:
Try Opening the Website on Different Browsers or Devices
The first and easiest step is to visit your website using a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. You can also try it on another device, such as a smartphone or tablet.
If the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error appears across multiple browsers and devices, it means the problem is with the website itself — not your specific browser or computer.
Use Online Redirect Checker Tools
There are free online tools that can help you see how your website redirects. Tools like Redirect Checker, WhereGoes, or httpstatus.io let you enter your URL and view the entire chain of redirects.
If you notice the same URLs repeating over and over, it's a clear sign of a redirect loop.
Use Your Browser's Developer Tools
Most modern browsers have built-in developer tools. Press F12 or Right-click > Inspect, then go to the Network tab. Reload the page and watch the activity.
If you see many redirects happening in a row or the same URL repeating, your site likely has a loop.
Checking for redirect loops is an important step before fixing the issue. These methods help you confirm that the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error is real and not just a temporary glitch. By identifying the redirect loop early, you can save time and apply the right fix quickly.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS
1 Clear Browser Cookies and Cache
Why It Helps: Old or corrupted cookies can cause redirect loops by sending wrong signals to the server.
How To Do It:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data → Select "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" → Clear data.
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data.
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All.
Try reloading the page after clearing.
2. Check URL Settings in CMS (e.g., WordPress)
How to Verify:
- Log into your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Settings → General.
- Check WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL).
- Make sure both URLs use either https:// or http://, but not mixed.
Importance of HTTPS Settings:
If your site uses SSL (HTTPS), both URLs should begin with https://. Mismatched URLs cause redirect loops.
3. Disable or Troubleshoot Plugins and Themes
How to Disable Plugins:
- Access your website files using FTP or hosting file manager.
- Rename the /wp-content/plugins/ folder temporarily to deactivate all plugins.
- Check if the error is gone.
- Rename the folder back, then deactivate plugins one by one via the WordPress dashboard to find the culprit.
Check Themes:
- Switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Three.
- If the error disappears, your theme is causing the problem.
4. Review Redirect Rules on Your Server
Check .htaccess File (Apache):
- Access .htaccess in your website root.
- Look for redirect rules that might cause loops (like multiple RewriteRule or Redirect commands).
- Comment out or remove suspicious regulations and tests.
Redirect Settings on Nginx or Others:
- Review server config files for redirect rules.
- Fix any conflicting or repeated redirects.
5. Check SSL/TLS Settings and HTTPS Redirects
Common Misconfigurations:
- Forcing HTTPS in .htaccess while also redirecting HTTPS to HTTP elsewhere.
- Multiple redirect plugins or services all force HTTPS.
Correct HTTPS Redirect:
Use one clean method to force HTTPS, such as a single redirect rule in .htaccess or proper hosting SSL settings.
6. Contact Your Hosting Provider If Needed
If you can't find or fix the problem, your hosting provider may help. Sometimes, server settings or firewall rules cause redirect issues. Alternatively, you can also consult a professional SEO company in Jaipur to help diagnose and fix complex redirect errors, ensuring your website stays accessible and optimized for search engines.
Tips to Prevent ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS in the Future
Preventing the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error is much easier than fixing it later. By following a few simple best practices, you can avoid redirect loops and keep your website running smoothly.
Best Practices for Managing Redirects
Always set up redirects carefully. Avoid using multiple redirect rules that might conflict—like redirecting both from http to https and from https to http by mistake. The same goes for www and non-www URLs. Choose one version and stick with it.
If you're using WordPress, don't install more than one plugin to manage redirects. Using multiple tools can cause conflicts and loops. Always check your redirect settings after adding or updating any plugin.
Regular Website Audits and Updates
Regularly audit your website to check for broken or unnecessary redirects. You can use tools like Screaming Frog, Redirect Checker, or Ahrefs to scan for redirect chains and loops.
Also, keep your CMS, plugins, and themes updated. Outdated software can cause bugs and conflicts that lead to redirect errors.
Backup Before Making Changes
Before making big changes—like editing server files, switching to HTTPS, or updating core settings—always create a backup of your website. If anything goes wrong, you can quickly restore your site to a working version.
By following these tips, you can avoid ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS issues and ensure a better experience for your users. A well-maintained website not only runs smoothly but also helps with better SEO performance, higher search rankings, and increased visitor trust.
Conclusion
The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error happens when your website keeps sending your browser from one URL to another in a continuous loop. It stops the page from loading and can frustrate visitors, lower your search engine rankings, and even hurt your online reputation.
The good news is that this error is fixable. In many cases, simply clearing your browser's cookies and cache can solve the issue. If the problem is with your website, you may need to check your CMS URL settings, especially on platforms like WordPress. Disabling plugins or switching to a default theme can also help if a conflict is causing the redirect loop. On the server side, reviewing and fixing your .htaccess file or Nginx settings can stop improper redirects. It's also important to make sure your HTTPS and SSL settings are configured correctly to avoid looping between HTTP and HTTPS.
To avoid this error in the future, always test redirects carefully, use only trusted plugins, and regularly update your website. A small mistake in a redirect rule can cause big problems, but with careful maintenance, your site can stay error-free.
Fixing redirect errors keeps your website fast, accessible, and SEO-friendly—making both users and search engines happy.
