How to Fix the “Too Many Redirects” Error in WordPress (Simple Step-by-Step Guide)
If you’ve landed here, your WordPress website is likely stuck in a redirect loop, showing errors like “Too Many Redirects”, “ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS”, or “Redirect Loop”. This issue not only frustrates visitors but also hurts your SEO rankings. The good news? Fixing it isn’t as hard as it seems. Let’s break down the causes and solutions in plain, easy-to-follow steps.
What Causes the “Too Many Redirects” Error?
A redirect loop happens when your website keeps bouncing between URLs indefinitely. For example, if example.com redirects to www.example.com, and the www version redirects back to the non-www version, your browser gets stuck. Common triggers include:
- Incorrect WordPress URL settings
- SSL/HTTPS configuration errors
- Plugin or theme conflicts
- Faulty server or CDN settings
- Caching issues
Step 1: Check Your WordPress URL Settings
WordPress has two URL settings that control how your site loads: the “WordPress Address” and “Site Address.” If these don’t match your actual domain, redirect loops occur.
How to Fix It:
1. Go to Settings → General in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Ensure WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are identical and use the correct version (HTTP or HTTPS, www or non-www).
3. Click Save Changes.
If you can’t access your dashboard, edit these values via your wp-config.php file or database using phpMyAdmin.
Step 2: Fix SSL/HTTPS Configuration Issues
Switching to HTTPS (SSL) often causes redirect loops if not set up properly. For example, your server might force HTTPS while WordPress still uses HTTP URLs.
How to Fix It:
1. Update your WordPress URLs to HTTPS (as explained in Step 1).
2. Install a plugin like Really Simple SSL to auto-fix mixed content and redirects.
3. If using a reverse proxy (like Cloudflare), ensure SSL/TLS settings are set to “Full” or “Flexible.”
4. Edit your .htaccess file to force HTTPS:
Code Snippet:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Step 3: Disable Plugins and Themes
Plugins or themes might conflict with redirect rules. For instance, a security plugin could enforce HTTPS while another plugin does the same, creating a loop.
How to Fix It:
1. Rename your plugins folder via FTP to deactivate all plugins.
2. If the error disappears, reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.
3. Switch to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) to rule out theme issues.
Step 4: Check Your .htaccess File
The .htaccess file controls redirects on Apache servers. A misplaced rule here can trigger loops.
How to Fix It:
1. Access your site via FTP and locate the .htaccess file.
2. Rename it to .htaccess_backup to reset it.
3. Log into WordPress. Go to Settings → Permalinks and click Save to regenerate a clean .htaccess file.
4. If needed, re-add custom rules carefully.
Step 5: Clear Browser and Site Cache
Cached redirects in your browser or caching plugins (e.g., WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache) can keep the loop alive.
How to Fix It:
1. Clear your browser cache or try incognito mode.
2. Purge your site’s cache via your plugin or hosting dashboard.
3. Temporarily disable caching to test.
Step 6: Review CDN Settings
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare can override your redirect settings.
How to Fix It:
1. Log into your CDN dashboard and check SSL/TLS and Page Rules.
2. Disable conflicting rules (e.g., forcing HTTPS or www/non-www).
3. Ensure your CDN’s SSL mode matches your server’s configuration.
Step 7: Check Server Configuration
Your hosting server might have redirect rules in Nginx configs or cPanel settings.
How to Fix It:
1. Contact your hosting support to check server-level redirects.
2. For Nginx users, review your server blocks for duplicate redirects.
3. Ensure PHP versions and server modules are up to date.
Advanced Troubleshooting: Redirect Chains and Logs
If the problem persists, use tools like Redirect Path (Chrome extension) to trace redirect chains. Check server error logs for clues—your host can help access these.
Prevent Future Redirect Loops
- Always back up your site before making changes.
- Test redirects one at a time.
- Use plugins like Redirection for managed URL changes.
- Monitor your site after updates.
Final Thoughts
Fixing a redirect loop is often about spotting conflicts in settings, plugins, or server rules. Start with the simplest fixes—like checking URLs and SSL—and work your way up. Still stuck? Most hosting providers offer 24/7 support for WordPress-specific issues. With patience, your site will be back on track!
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