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How to Fix Error 521 With WordPress and Cloudflare

Are you tired of encountering Error 521 with WordPress and Cloudflare? Well, fret no more! We’ve got the ultimate solution for you.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to fix this pesky issue.

First things first, make sure your server is running smoothly without any ongoing maintenance.

Then, test the connection to your server and ensure that your firewall software isn’t blocking Cloudflare IP addresses.

Don’t forget to configure the encryption settings in the Cloudflare dashboard to the appropriate mode.

Additionally, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot other website issues by temporarily disabling Cloudflare and purging the cache.

If all else fails, we’ve got the information you need to reach out to your hosting provider or Cloudflare support for further assistance.

Let’s dive in and get your website back on track!

Check Server Status

To check the server status, begin by verifying if your WordPress website hosting server is online. You can do this by obtaining the server’s IP address from the control panel provided by your hosting provider. Once you have the IP address, ping the server to check if it responds.

If the server is offline, you’ll need to contact your hosting provider to resolve the issue. However, if the server is online, you can proceed with troubleshooting the Error 521 with WordPress and Cloudflare.

Checking the server status is crucial because if the server is down or undergoing maintenance, it can result in the Error 521. Therefore, ensuring that the server is online is the first step to fixing this issue.

Test Connection to Server

To test the connection to the server, you can use a cURL command or an online HTTP Header Check tool.

With cURL, you can send a request to the server and check the response. Open your command line interface and enter the following command: ‘curl -I yourdomain.com’. Replace ‘yourdomain.com’ with your actual domain name. This command will send a HEAD request to the server and display the response headers. Look for the ‘HTTP/1.1’ status code. If it returns a code in the 200 range, the connection to the server is successful.

Alternatively, you can use an online HTTP Header Check tool by entering your domain name and clicking the ‘Check Headers’ button. This tool will provide you with detailed information about the server’s response.

Whitelist Cloudflare IP Ranges

To whitelist Cloudflare IP ranges, follow these steps:

  1. Access the .htaccess file in your website’s root folder using an FTP client. If the .htaccess file is hidden, enable the option to show hidden files in the FTP client.
  2. Once you have accessed the .htaccess file, open it in a text editor.
  3. Add the Cloudflare IP addresses above the ‘# BEGIN’ line in the .htaccess file.
  4. Each IP address should be added on a new line using the ‘allow from’ syntax.

Configure Encryption Settings

To configure encryption settings, start by accessing the Cloudflare dashboard and navigating to the SSL/TLS section. Here, you can configure the SSL/TLS encryption settings for your WordPress website. Cloudflare offers various encryption modes like Full, Flexible, and Full (Strict).

For secure communication between Cloudflare and your origin server, you can generate and upload a Cloudflare Origin Certificate. This certificate ensures that the data transmitted between Cloudflare and your server is encrypted and secure.

To fix Error 521, it’s crucial to select the appropriate encryption mode in the SSL/TLS section. If you choose Full or Full (Strict), ensure that your origin server allows Cloudflare’s IP addresses to access port 443. Contact your hosting provider to enable port 443 if necessary.

Temporarily Disable Cloudflare

To temporarily disable Cloudflare, you can follow these steps:

  • Log in to your Cloudflare account.
  • In the dashboard, select the domain experiencing the Error 521.
  • Navigate to the ‘Overview’ tab.
  • Scroll down to the ‘Advanced Actions’ section.
  • Click on the ‘Pause Cloudflare on Site’ button.

By temporarily disabling Cloudflare, you can determine if the Error 521 is specific to Cloudflare’s services. This will allow you to test if the error is resolved without Cloudflare’s caching and security services. Disabling Cloudflare also helps identify if the issue lies elsewhere in your website configuration.

Remember to re-enable Cloudflare after troubleshooting to resume its benefits. If the problem persists even after disabling Cloudflare, it’s recommended to contact your hosting provider or Cloudflare support for further assistance in resolving the Error 521 with WordPress and Cloudflare.

Purge Cache

You can purge the cache in Cloudflare to clear any cached data and resolve the Error 521 with WordPress and Cloudflare. Purging the cache ensures that Cloudflare fetches the latest content from your server, eliminating any outdated or conflicting data that may be causing the 521 error.

Clearing the cache is a crucial step in troubleshooting and fixing this issue. To purge the cache, you can access the Cloudflare dashboard or use the Cloudflare API. In the dashboard, go to the Caching section and click on the ‘Purge Everything’ button. This action will remove all cached files and force Cloudflare to retrieve the most recent version of your website from the origin server.

If you’re unsure how to purge the cache or need further assistance, contact your hosting provider or Cloudflare support for guidance.

Contact Hosting Provider or Cloudflare Support

If you continue to experience the Error 521 with WordPress and Cloudflare, reach out to your hosting provider or Cloudflare support for assistance. They can help identify and resolve the issue causing the error.

Here are three steps you can take when contacting your hosting provider or Cloudflare support:

  • Explain the problem: Provide a detailed explanation of the Error 521 you’re encountering. Include any relevant information such as the steps you have already taken to troubleshoot the issue.
  • Provide server information: Share information about your server, such as its status and whether it’s undergoing maintenance. This will help your hosting provider or Cloudflare support investigate the issue more effectively.
  • Request guidance and assistance: Ask for their guidance and assistance in resolving the Error 521. They may provide specific instructions or additional troubleshooting steps to follow.

Troubleshoot Other Website Issues

To address other website issues, start by disabling Cloudflare temporarily and clearing the cache. This will help determine if Cloudflare is causing the problem.

If the issue persists, check your WordPress plugins and themes for any compatibility issues with Cloudflare. Disable them one by one to identify the culprit.

Additionally, ensure that your WordPress installation is up to date and that all necessary updates have been applied. Check for any error logs in your server’s control panel or WordPress dashboard to identify any specific errors that may be occurring.

If you have recently made changes to your website, such as modifying the .htaccess file or adding custom code, revert those changes to see if they’re causing the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Fix Error 521 on Cloudflare?

To fix Error 521 on Cloudflare, first check if your server is running and not undergoing maintenance. Test the connection and ensure firewall software isn’t blocking Cloudflare IP addresses. Troubleshoot website issues by disabling Cloudflare temporarily and purging the cache. If the problem persists, contact your hosting provider or Cloudflare support.

What Is Cloudflare 521 Code?

Cloudflare 521 code indicates a connection issue between Cloudflare and a website’s server. It can occur on any CMS or external site. Check server status, firewall settings, encryption settings, and troubleshoot website issues.

How Do I Fix Cloudflare Error?

To fix the Cloudflare error, first verify server status and check firewall settings. Adjust encryption mode in the Cloudflare dashboard and temporarily disable Cloudflare to troubleshoot other website issues. If problem persists, contact hosting provider or Cloudflare support.

What Is Error Code 521 on a Website?

Error code 521 on a website indicates that Cloudflare can’t connect to the server. This could be due to server downtime, firewall blocking Cloudflare IP addresses, or SSL certificate issues. Troubleshoot by checking server status, whitelisting IPs, and setting up a Cloudflare origin certificate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively resolve the Error 521 issue with WordPress and Cloudflare.

Checking server status, testing the connection, whitelisting IP ranges, configuring encryption settings, temporarily disabling Cloudflare, purging the cache, and contacting hosting provider or Cloudflare support are all crucial troubleshooting steps.

By implementing these solutions, you’ll be able to get your website back on track and ensure its smooth functioning.

How can you fix Error 521 with WordPress and Cloudflare?

Error 521 is a connection error that occurs when Cloudflare fails to establish a connection with the server hosting a WordPress website. Some common causes include server offline status or mistaken blocking of Cloudflare. To resolve this error, you can contact your hosting provider for assistance, check the server status by pinging its IP address, whitelist Cloudflare IP addresses, enable port 443 if using Full or Full (Strict) mode in Cloudflare, and create/upload a Cloudflare Origin Certificate for a secure connection. If immediate support is not available from the hosting provider, you can proceed with troubleshooting steps.

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