How to Fix a 408 Request Timeout Error?
The HTTP Status Code starting with series digit 4xx are the client side error codes. The 408 Request Timeout Error code is one of the client-side code that occurs when the request time to load a webpage exceeds.
It is also possible that the server could be the cause of a 408 Request Timeout Error. In some cases, there is a chance that the server may be misconfigured and results in improper requests handling which in return may lead to 408 response code.
What Does 408 Request Timeout Mean?
The 408 Request Timeout Error code occurs when a connection with the website is timed out. It means the request you made to the web server is taking too much time as compared to the waiting time of the website’s server.
Client requests load time is much higher than the server’s waiting time for a particular request. In short, Request Time > Server Waiting Time.
In this case, the server will terminate the connection and thus return in 408 Request Timeout Error.
Symptoms of HTTP Error 408
1. It crashes the active window.
2. Request Timeout is displayed.
3. Windows runs sluggishly and responds slowly to input devices.
Different ways to See a 408 Request Timeout Error
You can see the 408 Request Timeout error in many different ways. Although the textual presentation is slightly different otherwise, each one has the same meaning.
1. “408 Request Time-out”
2. “Request Timeout”
3. “The Request Has Timed Out”
4. “408: Request Timeout”
5. “HTTP Error 408 – Request Timeout”
How Is a 408 Error Different From a 504 Error?
If you are a website owner, then there are 99% of the possibilities that you have encountered during the 504 Gateway Timeout error. You may also be wondering that how a 408 Request Timeout Error is different from the 504 Gateway Timeout error.
The HTTP status code 504 Gateway Timeout error is returned when a server is acting as a gateway or proxy and has timed out. While the 408 Error, returned as a direct message from the active server.
The 408 Request Timeout:
This error occurs when the server request wait time is lower than the server request time.
While the 504 Gateway Timeout:
This error occurs when one server is not able to receive a timely response from another server that may be acting as gateway or proxy.
Start With a Backup
Prevention is better than cure. It is better to walk on the safer side than not regret later.
It is recommended to take a full backup of your website, database and all other components before attempting any fixes. You can use Backup Bank to take a complete backup of your website and database. You can find it easily on wordpress.org plugins directory.
Different Methods to Fix a 408 Request Timeout Error
It is very difficult to detect the source of the HTTP error. Although the 4xx series error is known to be the client-side errors. But it doesn’t mean that the server is completely ruled out as the culprit.
Method 1) Client Side fixes
1. Double Check the URL
Sometimes, the cause behind the error is the URL you are requesting.
Now, suppose that you are requesting a URL that requires certain credentials to access and depending on how the server is configured, this could trigger a 408 response from the server. Or you are requesting a website URL from the saved bookmark that not exists.
2. Check your Internet Connection
Try to check your internet connection. If it is slow, then this could take too long to complete the request. As a result, the server timeout value exceeded and it becomes idle. This will returns 408 HTTP Status Code.
3. Try Reloading the Page
This is the easiest way to get rid of the error. Sometimes, there is a temporary problem on the client side or even the server side. Try to refresh the page that you are trying to access to see if the error has been resolved or not.
4. Rollback Recent Upgrades
If you have recently updated the WordPress just before the 408 Request Timeout appeared, you may need to rollback to the previous version.
Similarly, any extension, any modules or even any plugin or theme that you may have recently upgraded can also cause server-side issues, so retrieving to the previous version of those may also help.
Method 2) Server Side Fixes
Below are a few things you can check, on the server side in order to fix the 408 Request Timeout Error.
1. Check your Web Server’s Timeout Settings
It is possible that your web server’s timeout value is less than that of the client request time. Apache, Nginx is the web servers that allows web developers to set some timeout values so that the request is not open for a long time.
Moreover, if you are receiving a continuous 408 request timeout error then, this might be the small timeout value.
If we talk about the Apache Server, check for the .htaccess file as well as the Apache server config file. Look for: KeepAliveTimeout or RequestReadTimeout directives
In the case of the Nginx Server, Open the nginx.conf file and check for directives such as client_body_timeout, client_header_timeout or keepalive_timeout
If either of these directives is defined, try increasing their values, reload the web server and try again.
2. Check the Logs
It is always good to check the server’s error logs. This may provide you with information in order to help you resolve the issue ( like what is the nature of the error? or from where it is originated ).
Conclusion
The 408 request timeout error is very transparent. It tells that the connection with the website is timed out, as a result, the server terminates the connection.
There are some more client-side errors and so are somewhat related to the 408 request timeout error:
There are also some server-side status codes like:
