How To Fix the HTTP 408 Error (8 Solutions)

Have you ever encountered the frustration of seeing a “408 Request Timeout” error while browsing a website? This error occurs when your web browser fails to receive a timely response from the server, disrupting your browsing experience.

But don’t worry! This step-by-step guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the annoying HTTP 408 Request Timeout error. Whether you’re unsure about the meaning of the error message or what’s causing it, we’ve got you covered. Let’s delve into the HTTP 408 status code, explore its common causes, and present potential solutions to get you back to smooth browsing.

Table of Contents

1. What Does the HTTP 408 Error Code Mean
2. Exploring Common Causes of the HTTP 408 Request Timeout Error
3. How to Resolve the HTTP 408 Error (8 Easy Solutions)
   • Addressing the Issue on the Client Side
   • Addressing the Issue on the Server-Side
4. Tips to Avoid a 408 Request Timeout Error

What Does the HTTP 408 Error Code Mean

The HTTP 408 status code is returned when a server timeout occurs due to a slow client request. It means the server terminated the connection, resulting in the client receiving the 408 Request Timeout message.

HTTP status codes communicate request status and can redirect clients to different resources. Common codes include:

• 200 (OK)
• 400 (Bad Request)
• 500 (Internal Server Error)

These status codes can be categorized into 5 groups:

• Informational: The server is still processing the request
• Successful: The request has been successfully fulfilled
• Redirects: The client should be redirected to a different resource
• Client Errors: There was an error with the client’s request
• Server Errors: There was an error with the server

It is worth mentioning that the HTTP 408 error differs from the 504 Gateway Timeout status code, which is typically associated with gateway or proxy servers. In contrast, the 408 error is directly generated by the web server with which the client is communicating.

Exploring Common Causes of the HTTP 408 Request Timeout Error

The occurrence of a 408 Request Timeout error can be attributed to various factors. Let’s delve into the 5 common triggers:

1. Server Overload: When a server becomes overwhelmed with numerous incoming requests, it may struggle to respond to all of them within the allocated time, resulting in the 408 error.
2. Network Issues: A weak or unreliable internet connection can also contribute to a 408 Request Timeout error.
3. Large File Downloads: Attempting to download large files, such as videos or images, can lead to a 408 Request Timeout error. If the server slowly transmits the file, the browser may assume the request has failed due to the extended waiting time.
4. Server Maintenance: During server maintenance or updates, the server may undergo temporary periods of unavailability. Accessing the server during these times can result in a 408 error as it cannot respond to the request.
5. Firewall or Security Settings: In some cases, strict firewall or security settings can interfere with the communication between your browser and the server, leading to a request timeout if the server’s response is blocked or delayed.
6. Proxy Server Issues: If you are using a proxy server to connect to the internet, misconfigured settings or connection problems with the proxy server can cause a 408 error. The proxy server may fail to establish a timely connection with the destination server, resulting in a timeout.

If you’re experiencing some other issue, you might want to check out our guide on common WordPress issues.

How to Resolve the HTTP 408 Error (8 Easy Solutions)

Now that we have understood the HTTP 408 status code, let’s explore the solutions to resolve it. Below, we will discuss potential remedies from both the client-side and server-side perspectives.

Addressing the Issue on the Client Side

Client-side refers to the user’s side, where the web browser or application is making the request to the server. Client-side issues can include network problems, browser settings, or large file downloads that may cause the request to time out.

Here are a few solutions from the client side that can help resolve the HTTP 408 error:

1. Review Recent Database Modifications Consider recent database changes as a potential cause of the HTTP 408 error. Revert any recent modifications to resolve the issue.Pay attention to the installed extensions or updates that may have altered database records, leading to conflicts or errors. For example, check a specific table modified by a new plugin using a database management tool like phpMyAdmin.Also, manually review recently modified tables or records for changes causing the HTTP 408 error. Revert problematic alterations to their original states.
2. Perform a Site Backup You should prioritize website backup as a precaution for troubleshooting the HTTP 408 error. We recommend creating a comprehensive backup to secure your files and database.There are various methods available to back up your website. Below are the two easy approaches for website backup:Method #1. Manual method using SFTP client like FileZilla:
   • Obtain SFTP credentials from the hosting provider.Connect to the server and download files from the root directory (typically in the public_html folder).
   Method #2. 10Corp users:
   • Use the 10Corp platform to create backups conveniently and ensure data safety.First, we’ll cover backup creation using the 10Corp platform, then explore the manual backup process.
   How to Backup Your Application Using the 10Corp Platform:
   • Log in to the 10Corp platform and select the target server.Go to Backups in the left menu and enable Local Backups.Optional: Click Take Backup Now for an immediate backup.Connect to your server via SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) using your Master Credentials to establish the remote server connection.Navigate to /applications/<your_application_name>/local_backups.
   Note: Only the most recent backup is available locally. Off-site backups follow the scheduled frequency and settings.By following these steps, you will successfully backup your application using the 10Corp platform.
3. Verify the URL Sometimes, the HTTP 408 error can occur if a URL requiring specific credentials is accidentally requested, resulting in a request timeout.Possible cause: Mistyping the URL in the browser. We recommend doing the following measures:
   • Check the URL for typos, including the domain name, slashes, and hyphens.
   • Re-enter the URL and refresh the page if a typo is suspected.
   • If the request timeout error persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
   
4. Revert Recent Updates To roll back recent changes and resolve the HTTP 408 error on your WordPress site, consider restoring your site to a previous version if recent changes (e.g., new plugin installation or WordPress update) caused the error.And if you’re a 10Corp user, you can take advantage of its point-in-time restore feature, which includes automated offsite server-level backups and on-demand application-level backups.Note: 10Corp Autoscale users can refer to this specific guide for instructions.Now let’s restore a point-in-time backup using 10Corp Flexible:
   • Log in to the 10Corp Platform.Navigate to “Servers” and select the server with your desired application.Click on the application name under the “www” section.Under “Application Management,” select “Backup and Restore.”Select the desired restore point from the dropdown.Click “Restore Application Now.”
   Important considerations:
   • Ensure sufficient disk space before restoring.Choose complete restore or specific file/database restore based on your needs.Restore duration depends on application data size.You will receive a notification upon completion.
   By following these steps, you can perform a point-in-time restore of your 10Corp application, helping you revert to a previous version and potentially resolving the HTTP 408 error.
5. Remove Extensions and Plugins Adding extensions and plugins to your website can sometimes lead to compatibility issues and errors, including the HTTP 408 status code. To investigate if this is the cause, you can perform the following steps:
   • Deactivate all plugins in the WordPress dashboard:
     • Navigate to the Plugins section and select all installed plugins.
     • From the Bulk Actions dropdown menu, choose “Deactivate” and click “Apply.”
   Alternative deactivation method: In case you are unable to access the dashboard, you can connect to your site via SFTP and rename the plugins folder to something like “plugins_old”. This action will effectively deactivate all plugins.
   • Check if the error is resolved after deactivation. Reactivate plugins one by one and observe if the error reoccurs. Identify the problematic plugin causing the error.
   • Uninstall the problematic plugin and consider finding a suitable alternative or contacting the developer for further assistance.
   By systematically deactivating and reactivating plugins, you can identify and resolve the plugin-related cause of the HTTP 408 error on your website.

Addressing the Issue on the Server-Side

Server-side refers to the server receiving and processing the client’s requests. Server-side issues can include server overload, maintenance, or misconfigurations that lead to the server being unable to respond within the allocated time, resulting in the 408 error.

The issue likely lies on the server side if the previous solutions did not resolve the HTTP 408 error. In such cases, it is necessary to explore alternative solutions to resolve the error.

6. Review Application Logs You can troubleshoot the HTTP 408 error from a server-side perspective in two ways.If you use WordPress, you can access logs by enabling the WordPress debugging mode in the wp-config.php file. Simply insert the following code:phpCopy codedefine('WP_DEBUG', true); define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true); define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false); For 10Corp users, monitoring application logs through the 10Corp Platform offers a convenient option. Here’s how you can do it:
   • Log in to the 10Corp Platform and select your desired application.Navigate to the “Monitoring” section and click on “Logs.”Click the “Access Logs” section to view recent log entries or the “Error Logs” to view recent Apache error logs.
   By accessing and analyzing server-side logs, you can gather crucial information to diagnose and address the HTTP 408 error from a server-side perspective.
7. Troubleshoot Apps or Scripts Debugging refers to the process of identifying and resolving bugs or errors in your code. If you are still encountering the HTTP 408 error on your website, it is necessary to debug your site. To simplify the bug monitoring process for your WordPress site, you can utilize WordPress debugging plugins.Take Control of Your WordPress Projects with 10Corp Enjoy robust features like easy scalability, one-click staging, advanced security, and blazing-fast performance.TRY NOW
   1. Query MonitorQuery Monitor is a WordPress plugin that adds a developer tool panel to your WordPress dashboard. It offers database queries, PHP errors, HTTP API calls, hooks and actions, editor block disabling, and enqueued scripts and stylesheets.With Query Monitor, you can gather extensive information for effective debugging.New RelicAnother option for comprehensive debugging is New Relic, a premium tool. It provides monitoring of user experience, mapping the WordPress architecture, identifying broken permalinks, analyzing site performance, and proactively detecting anomalies.New Relic helps you gather troubleshooting data and ensures an optimal experience for your visitors.
   Troubleshooting via Application Performance MonitoringAnother option is utilizing an Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tool to help you monitor and optimize your site’s performance.Here’s how you can use the New Relic APM feature on the 10Corp platform to monitor your application:
   • Log in to your New Relic account.Open the User Menu and select API Keys.Locate your license key labeled as “Original account license key.” Click on the ellipsis (…) to view more options.Copy your license key.Log in to the 10Corp Platform.Go to Servers and choose the desired server.Under Server Management, select Monitoring and switch to the New Relic tab.Enter your New Relic License Key and save the changes.Enable the New Relic service in Server Management > Manage Services.Start monitoring your applications through New Relic APM.
   Using WordPress debugging plugins or premium tools like New Relic and employing an APM tool can simplify your WordPress site’s monitoring and troubleshooting process, enhancing its functionality.
8. Validate Server Configuration Files If you are still experiencing the HTTP 408 error and want to identify its cause, you can check your server configuration files using SFTP. The specific steps may vary depending on whether your server is running on Apache or Nginx.For Apache users:
   • Locate the .htaccess file in your site’s root directory.
   • Open the file and search for the lines containing “KeepAliveTimeout” and “RequestReadTimeout”.
   • Comment out these lines by adding “#” at the beginning of each line.
   • Save the file and then reload the page in your browser.
   In the case of a WordPress site hosted on an Apache Web Server, follow these steps to access and edit the .htaccess file:
   • Connect to your server using an FTP client like FileZilla.
   • Navigate to the root folder of your WordPress application (e.g., “/applications/sqzucfcyqb/public_html”).![Navigate to the root folder of your WordPress application](