You type your URL, hit enter, and wait. And wait. Finally, your browser gives up and crashes with a confusing error: ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS.
It is one of the most frustrating errors because it locks everyone out of your site—even you. You can't even log in to the admin panel to fix it.
What is happening? In simple terms, your website is dizzy. Page A is sending visitors to Page B, but Page B is sending them right back to Page A. The browser gets stuck in an infinite loop and eventually quits.
The "Loop" Breakdown
Step 1: The "Turn It Off and On Again" Fix
Before you touch any code, you must rule out your own computer. Sometimes, your browser remembers an old redirect that doesn't exist anymore.
Try this: Open your website in "Incognito" or "Private" mode. Does it load? If yes, the problem is just your cookies.
✅ How to Clear Cookies for One Site
Don't wipe your whole history. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy > Site Settings. Search for your domain and click "Clear Data."
Step 2: The Plugin Conflict (WordPress Users)
If you use WordPress, you probably have a plugin like "Redirection" or "Yoast SEO." Sometimes, two plugins fight over who gets to handle the traffic.
The Fix: Since you can't log in to your dashboard, you need to disable plugins manually.
- Access your site via FTP or your Hosting File Manager.
- Go to
wp-content/plugins. - Rename the "plugins" folder to "plugins_old".
- Try to load your site. If it works, you know a plugin was the culprit.
Step 3: The HTTPS/SSL Loop (Cloudflare Users)
This is extremely common. You have SSL on your server, and you also have SSL on Cloudflare. They start fighting.
The Scenario: Cloudflare talks to your server via HTTP, but your server forces a redirect to HTTPS. Cloudflare sends it back to HTTP. Loop created.
The Fix: Log in to Cloudflare. Go to the SSL/TLS tab. Change your setting from "Flexible" to "Full" or "Full (Strict)".
Step 4: The .htaccess File (The Nuclear Option)
Your .htaccess file is the traffic controller of your server. If it gets corrupted, it starts sending traffic in circles.
The Fix:
- Access your site via FTP.
- Find the
.htaccessfile. - Rename it to
.htaccess_backup. - Try to load your site. If it works, your file was corrupt.
- Go to WordPress Settings > Permalinks and click "Save Changes" to generate a clean, new file.
301 vs. 302: Know Your Redirects
While fixing loops, ensure you are using the right kind of redirect to prevent future SEO issues.
| Type | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 301 Redirect | "Moved Permanently" | Use this 99% of the time. It passes SEO ranking power to the new URL. |
| 302 Redirect | "Moved Temporarily" | Only use if you are doing maintenance and plan to bring the old URL back soon. |
Summary: Untangle the Knot
Redirect loops look scary, but they are usually logical errors. Whether it is a confused plugin, a cached cookie, or an SSL fight, following these steps will untangle the knot and get your traffic flowing in a straight line again.
Is Your Site Still Crashing?
Server configuration files like .htaccess can be dangerous to edit if you aren't a developer. Our Technical Support team can safely debug your redirect loop and get you back online in minutes.
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