Error 521 is a common issue encountered by WordPress website owners using Cloudflare. This error occurs when Cloudflare successfully connects to the browser but fails to establish a connection with the server hosting the website.
Resolving this error promptly is crucial to ensure a positive visitor experience and maintain search engine rankings.
In this article, we will provide troubleshooting steps to fix Error 521, including:
- contacting your hosting provider
- checking server status
- whitelisting Cloudflare IP addresses
- enabling port 443
- creating and uploading a Cloudflare Origin Certificate.
Understanding Error 521
Error 521 is a connection error that occurs when Cloudflare is unable to establish a connection with the server hosting the WordPress website.
Common causes of this error include server offline status or mistaken blocking of Cloudflare.
To ensure a positive customer experience and maintain SEO rankings, it is crucial to promptly resolve this error.
Troubleshooting tools such as pinging the server, whitelisting Cloudflare IP addresses, and enabling port 443 can help identify and fix the issue.
Troubleshooting Steps for Error 521
One recommended step for troubleshooting Error 521 is to contact your hosting provider for assistance.
Other troubleshooting steps include:
- Checking the server status by pinging its IP address
- Whitelisting Cloudflare IP addresses to allow their requests
- Enabling port 443 if using Full or Full (Strict) mode in Cloudflare
- Creating and uploading a Cloudflare Origin Certificate for a secure connection.
These steps help resolve issues related to:
- Server downtime
- DNS configuration
- SSL certificate
- Website caching.
Contacting Your Hosting Provider
When encountering Error 521, it is advisable to contact your hosting provider for prompt assistance in resolving the issue. Hosting providers can quickly identify the cause of the error and potentially fix it for you.
Look for support or contact pages on your hosting provider’s website. Live support options like chat or phone support are usually faster than email or ticketing portals.
If immediate support is not available, proceed with other troubleshooting steps.
Checking Server Status
To determine the status of your server, the next step in resolving the Error 521 is to check if it is online by pinging its IP address.
Here are the key aspects to consider when checking server status:
- Server availability
- Ping response time
- Network connectivity
- DNS configuration
- Firewall settings
Whitelisting Cloudflare IP Addresses
Continuing the discussion from the previous subtopic, let’s now explore how to whitelist Cloudflare IP addresses for resolving the Error 521 in a WordPress website with Cloudflare integration.
Whitelisting Cloudflare IP addresses is essential to allow their requests to reach your server. To do this, access your website’s root folder using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Locate and open the .htaccess file in the public_html folder. Add the Cloudflare IP addresses above the ‘# BEGIN’ line in the .htaccess file, with each IP address on a new line using the format ‘allow from [IP address]’.
Enabling Port 443
To enable Port 443, you need to make a request to your hosting provider. Enabling Port 443 is crucial for updating your SSL certificate and configuring SSL/TLS settings.
It also helps troubleshoot SSL handshake issues and optimize server performance. To ensure Port 443 is enabled, check your firewall settings and ensure that it allows incoming connections on this port.
Contact your hosting provider for assistance in enabling Port 443 and resolving the Error 521.
Creating and Uploading a Cloudflare Origin Certificate
The process for creating and uploading a Cloudflare Origin Certificate involves generating a secure connection between Cloudflare and your server. This certificate is essential for configuring Cloudflare SSL and securing WordPress with Cloudflare.
By generating SSL certificates, you can optimize website performance and troubleshoot SSL handshake errors.
Once generated, the Cloudflare Origin Certificate can be uploaded to your server to establish a secure and reliable connection between Cloudflare and WordPress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Error 521 is a common issue that WordPress website owners may encounter when using Cloudflare. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can effectively resolve Error 521 and ensure the smooth operation of your WordPress website with Cloudflare.
The first step is to contact your hosting provider. They can help you identify any server-related issues that may be causing Error 521.
Next, you should check the server status. This will help determine if there are any ongoing server problems or maintenance that could be causing the error.
Whitelisting Cloudflare IP addresses is another important step. By allowing Cloudflare’s IPs to access your server, you can prevent any potential blocking that could lead to Error 521.
Enabling port 443 is crucial for resolving Error 521. This port is used for secure HTTPS connections, and ensuring it is open and properly configured can help resolve the error.
Lastly, creating and uploading a Cloudflare Origin Certificate can help establish a secure connection between Cloudflare and your server. This certificate verifies the authenticity of the connection and can help resolve Error 521.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can effectively resolve Error 521 and ensure the smooth operation of your WordPress website with Cloudflare.
