Fixing the WordPress Too Many Redirects Error: A Step-by-Step Guide

The “Too Many Redirects” error in WordPress is a common yet frustrating issue that can render your website inaccessible. This error typically occurs when your site gets caught in an endless loop of redirects, meaning it keeps sending visitors from one URL to another without ever reaching the desired page. As a result, both your visitors and search engines are blocked from accessing your site, which can significantly impact your traffic and SEO rankings.

To fix this issue, it’s important to understand what might be causing it. Often, the error arises due to incorrect settings in the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL), conflicts with plugins or themes, misconfigurations in the .htaccess file, or issues with SSL settings. By systematically checking each of these potential problem areas, you can identify the root cause and resolve the redirection loop. This guide will help you diagnose and fix the “Too Many Redirects” error, so you can get your WordPress site back up and running smoothly.

WordPress Too Many Redirects Error

Resolve the WordPress Too Many Redirects Error and Restore Your Site’s Functionality.

1. Clear Browser Cookies and Cache

Sometimes, the error is due to outdated cookies or cache in your browser. Clear them and try accessing your site again.

2. Check Site URL Settings

Ensure that the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are correctly set in your WordPress settings:

• Go to Settings -> ‘General‘
• Verify that both ‘WordPress Address (URL)‘ and ‘Site Address (URL)‘ are correct and match each other.

3. Update .htaccess File

Your ‘.htaccess‘ file might have incorrect settings. You can reset it to the default WordPress configuration:

• Access your site files via FTP or cPanel.
• Locate the ‘.htaccess‘ file in your root directory.
• Rename it to ‘.htaccess_old‘ to disable it.
• Create a new ‘.htaccess‘ file with the following default WordPress rules:

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

4. Disable Plugins

A plugin might be causing the redirection loop. Disable all plugins to see if the issue is resolved:

• Access your site files via FTP or cPanel.
• Navigate to ‘wp-content/plugins‘.
• Rename the ‘plugins‘ folder to ‘plugins_old‘.
• Check your site. If it works, rename the folder back to ‘plugins‘ and rename each plugin folder individually to identify the problematic one.

5. Disable Themes

A theme might also cause redirection issues. Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One:

• Access your site files via FTP or cPanel.
• Navigate to ‘wp-content/themes‘.
• Rename your current theme folder.
• Ensure a default theme is available (like ‘twentytwentyone‘).
• WordPress will automatically switch to the default theme if it cannot find the current one.

6. Correct URL Redirects

Ensure there are no conflicting URL redirects in your configuration files:

• Check for redirects in ‘.htaccess‘,’ wp-config.php‘, or server configuration files.

7. Check for SSL Settings

Improper SSL settings can cause redirection loops:

• Ensure your site URL settings in WordPress are set to ‘https‘ if you are using SSL.
• Verify your SSL settings and certificates.

8. Verify Web Server Configuration

If you have access to your server configuration (like Apache or Nginx), ensure there are no conflicting redirect rules.

9. Consult Hosting Provider

If you have tried all the above steps and the issue persists, contact your hosting provider for further assistance. They might have additional insights or be able to reset configurations that are causing the issue.

Conclusion

The “Too Many Redirects” error can be caused by various factors, but by systematically checking each potential issue, you can identify and resolve the problem. If you’re still stuck after trying these steps, consider reaching out to a professional WordPress developer for assistance.

Get Professional Help

By following these steps, you should be able to sort out those mixed content errors on your WordPress site. But if you’re stuck or just want to make sure the problem doesn’t come back, we’re here to help! With our WordPress Quick Fix Service, for just €35/hour, you can sit back and relax while we handle the technical stuff. Whether it’s a one-time fix or ongoing support, we’ll make sure your site stays secure and runs smoothly. Get in touch with us today—we’re always happy to help!