Experiencing HTTP status codes can be irritating when you do not know how to resolve them in the first place. One of the most common HTTP status code errors is HTTP 408 request timeout. Luckily, you can take advantage of various possible solutions to smartly eradicate this issue.
This blog post will discuss the HTTP 408 request timeout error, different causes related to this issue, and possible solutions to bypass this frustrating error.
What Do You Mean by the HTTP 408 Request Timeout Error?
HTTP 408 relates to the category of client errors. According to this status code, the server could not attain a timely response from the client. As a result, the server was timed out and waiting for that particular request. This error usually happens when a client takes too long to send the request. In other cases, the server cannot process the request as it seems too busy to process it.
This HTTP error resembles a lot of the 504 gateway timeout status code. Still, the HTTP 408 does not belong to a proxy server or a gateway. Furthermore, the 408 request timeout comes from the client’s web server.
Variations of the HTTP 408 Request Timeout Error
Users can experience the HTTP 408 error differently depending on their web browser and server. Here are a few variations of the HTTP 408 Request Timeout error, such as:
- 408: Request Timeout.
- HTTP Error 408 – Request Timeout.
- Request Timeout.
- The Request Has Timed Out.
- Request Timeout.
- Error Code 408.
- HTTP Status 408.
Different reasons can result in the HTTP 408 request timeout error. For example, incorrect URL, slow network connection, app or browser timeout settings, server-side timeout settings, network problems between the server and client, etc., can cause the HTTP 408 request timeout error.
Thus, you must understand these causes in detail before resolving this client-side error correctly.
What Should We Do to Fix the HTTP 408 Request Timeout Error?
When resolving the HTTP 408 request timeout error, you must understand that you can eliminate this HTTP error by following multiple possible solutions. These solutions are further categorized into main classes: client-side and server-side.
From the client-side perspective, you can follow various troubleshooting methods like website backup, clearing your browser cache, URL checking, etc. From the server-side point of view, you can benefit from reviewing recent site changes, inspecting server-side logs, and more.
– Back-Up Your Website
You should back up your site before eliminating the HTTP 408 error. If anything happens unexpectedly, you can restore the old version of your site without difficulty. You can use different methods to create your website backup. For instance, you can manually back up your website using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client.
Different FTP clients enable you to create a website backup, but we will benefit from FileZilla in this scenario. To start the process, you should connect to your website using FileZilla.
Once connected, go to your website’s root directory to access folders such as wp-content, wp-admin, etc. Likewise, the root directory consists of crucial files, including .htaccess, wp-config, and more. At this point, right-click the folder or file you want to back up.
Now, you should hit the ‘Download’ option. You can save folders and files to your computer or local host as backups from the live website. Consequently, you can recover your website by uploading saved files via an FTP (file transfer protocol) client.
– Check the URL
You may have typed the incorrect URL into the browser, and as a result, you have witnessed the HTTP 408 status code error. In this situation, you should recheck the URL to see if it is correct. Likewise, you should focus on domain names that contain hyphens or slashes. Once you enter the URL again, reload the page to see if this HTTP error has gone.
– Review Database Changes
If you have recently made changes to your WordPress database, you might be facing the HTTP 408 error. Therefore, you must revert any changes you have recently made to your database. Doing so lets you overcome this HTTP error.
For example, recently configured updates or extensions to the database can hamper database records. To check if this is the reason, you should open your database (phpMyAdmin) and check the tables or records you have recently modified.
If you detect modified tables or records, revert them to the old states. This way, you will likely bypass the HTTP 408 request timeout error.
– Uninstall Plugins and Extensions
Sometimes, uninstalling plugins and extensions can help bypass the HTTP 408 error. Through the WordPress dashboard, click the Plugins tab using the admin area. Choose all the installed plugins and select Deactivate from the Bulk Actions dropdown menu. Click Apply:
This way, you will likely eliminate the HTTP 408 request timeout error without hassle.
– Remove Your Browser Cache
Clearing the browser cache may help you avoid seeing the HTTP 408 status code error on your screens. To clear the browser cache, follow the below steps:
- Click the three dots provided at the top-right corner of your web browser to access the settings panel. Now, click the Delete browsing data option.
- You should choose options such as Cookies, Browsing history, Cookies, and other site data, files, and Cached images. Click the Delete data option to complete the cache-clearing process.
- Moreover, you can remove advanced data by pressing the ‘Advanced’ data tab.
- You can choose various options such as Cookies and other site data, Download history, cached images and files, browsing history, etc.
Once you press the Delete Data option, you can resolve the 408 request timeout error. Luckily, the same troubleshooting method allows you to fix the Err_Cache_Miss error in Google Chrome. Besides, it helps users overcome the WSoD (white screen of death) error.
– Inspect Server-Side Logs
You should not undermine the importance of server logs as they offer insights regarding website activity and numerous potential errors. Therefore, you should use them when checking entries associated with timeouts when you experienced the HTTP 408 error.
These server logs point out problems like resource overload (high memory or CPU usage), errors within custom site scripts, slow database queries, and more. Once you examine the logs to detect issues that have caused the 408 error, resolving this HTTP issue becomes easy.
Wrapping Up
We hope you liked our blog post describing the HTTP 408 request timeout error in detail. All the above possible workarounds allow you to bypass this HTTP error in the right direction. However, you must know how to benefit from these solutions appropriately.
HTTP status codes are useful when offering helpful information regarding server and client requests. In addition, they highlight issues, including the HTTP 408 request timeout error. As you might know, the source of the problem may be server or client-side. Therefore, follow the above potential solutions accordingly to avoid facing this HTTP error in the future.
