How to Troubleshoot and Fix a 502 Bad Gateway Error

If you have ever visited a website and received a 502 Bad Gateway error page, you know how inconvenient it can be. You came looking for something, maybe a helpful article, a product you were ready to buy, or a quick solution to a problem, and instead, you hit a digital dead end.

Now flip the script. If visitors to your website run into that same error, they’re not just inconvenienced. They’re disappointed. They lose trust. And in many cases, they don’t come back. A 502 bad gateway error can cost more than a missed sale; it can hurt your brand’s credibility.

But before we get in to the depth of the issue, would you rather watch how to fix this issue? Have a go:

But if you’re more of a reader, let’s continue.

502 bad gateway meaning from the Mozilla Developer Network:

“The HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 502 Bad Gateway server error response code indicates that the server, while acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server.”

So what does it mean? Let’s break down the meaning of the 502 bad gateway error:

• A 502 Bad Gateway Error indicates that the web server to which you have connected is serving as a proxy for relaying information from another server but has received a bad response from that other server. It’s termed a 502 error since that’s the HTTP status code used by the web server to report this issue.
• Various factors might cause these negative responses. It is possible that the server is overloaded or that there are network difficulties between the two servers, and this is only a temporary issue.
• This error message displays when the Apache web server cannot handle the request. A faulty proxy server, DNS server, or hosting server can cause this problem (which is why you opt for good hosting solutions that don’t run into issues like these).

Common Causes for the 502 Bad Gateway Error

Before you start troubleshooting, you can run a test to check if your server is running as it should or if it’s down.

Test the URL on Down for Everyone or Just Me to do this.

If your tested URL is up, then the issue is at your end. However, if any website is hosted on Rapyd Cloud, there’s virtually no chance of getting this error because Rapyd Cloud guarantees 99.99% uptime. But I digress. Let’s get back to the topic at hand.

Here are some factors that can cause a 502 error bad gateway:

1. Server Overload or Crash
2. Network Issues Between Servers
3. Faulty Code or Script Errors
4. Issues with Third-Party Services
5. Bad CDN or Reverse Proxy Configuration
6. DNS Problems
7. Firewall or Security Rules

How to Fix a 502 Bad Gateway Error

1. Refresh your page (yes, really)

It may seem too simple to be an effective solution, but often, all it takes to fix a 502 error is to refresh your page or check if the URL works in a different browser.

If refreshing or using a different browser fixes the error, congrats, you’re lucky, and you can skip the rest of the article.

2. Check your site’s status

Checking your site’s status can help you understand if the site is simply down or if the problem is on your side. As stated above, you can check your site status by going to a website like Down For Everyone Or Just Me and simply pasting your URL into this tool. It will tell you if the site is working correctly or if it’s down for everyone. If it’s down for everyone, all you can do is wait until it gets back online.

3. Restart Your Network Equipment

If you’re managing your site from home or a small office setup, restart your modem/router. DNS or gateway issues from your ISP can sometimes be the culprit.

4. Clear Cache or Try Incognito Mode

If reloading didn’t help and you’ve confirmed the site isn’t down, the issue could be with your browser’s cached web page version. Try loading the site in incognito mode or clearing your cache.

In Google Chrome, go to the top-right corner, click the three dots, then select Clear Browsing Data. Ensure that Cached images and files are checked before clicking Clear Data.

5. Flush DNS

The error 502 bad gateway might also happen due to DNS-related issues. For example, after moving your website to a new host, DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, and until then, people won’t be able to access the websites. Additionally, this error can come from your local DNS cache.

On Windows, open the Command Prompt (cmd) and type:

bash
ipconfig /flushdns

• Press Enter. Once this is completed, you’ll see a message confirming the DNS cache has been flushed.
• On Mac, open Terminal and enter the appropriate command for your macOS version. You won’t receive a success message, but your DNS cache will be cleared.
• If you’re uncomfortable using these methods, you can temporarily switch to a third-party DNS provider like Google Public DNS.

6. Check Error Logs

Viewing your website’s error logs can be useful for pinpointing the root cause of a 502 error. These logs might reveal specific issues like conflicts with plugins or problems following an update.

• If your hosting provider offers a logging tool, check it.
• If not, you can enable logging by adding a specific line to your wp-config.php file.

7. Deactivate Plugins and Themes

Misconfigured caching plugins are a common cause of this error.

• Deactivate all plugins at once from the WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Bulk Action > Deactivate.
• If the error is resolved, reactivate them one by one to identify the culprit.
• If you can’t access the dashboard, disable plugins via SFTP by renaming the plugins folder.

8. Disable CDN or Firewall

If nothing has worked so far, the culprit could be your CDN or firewall settings.

• Try temporarily disabling the CDN to check if it’s causing the issue.
• If you’re using a CDN enabler plugin, deactivate it and test your site.
• If you don’t have dashboard access, disable the CDN plugin via SFTP.

9. Increase PHP Limits or Max Execution Time

WordPress sites with numerous plugins or custom themes can be memory intensive.

• If your PHP memory limit is too low, scripts may fail to execute properly, leading to a 502 error.
• Increasing PHP memory and execution time can prevent script timeouts that cause this error.

10. Contact Your Hosting Provider

None of the steps above resolved error 502? Reach out to your hosting provider for assistance.

But remember, if 502 errors are becoming a pattern, it’s a sign that your current hosting environment isn’t keeping up, and you need to reconsider your choice.

For example, Rapyd Cloud customers almost never face a 502 error problem from the server side. And if the problem occurs for some reason, they have access to expert support team available 24/7 to assist you.

Rapyd Cloud isn’t just another hosting provider. It’s a performance-driven platform built for resilience, with built-in scalability, automated incident detection, and human support that actually shows up when it matters.

It also comes preinstalled with proactive security solutions like firewall protection, malware defense, protection for preventing DDoS attacks, and virtual patching for enhanced security.

Conclusion

A 502 Bad Gateway error can disrupt your website’s functionality and frustrate visitors, potentially harming your brand’s reputation. However, by following the right troubleshooting steps, such as refreshing the page, clearing the cache, checking DNS settings, and reviewing error logs, you can quickly identify and resolve the issue.

Ensuring your hosting provider offers reliable infrastructure like Rapyd Cloud’s fully managed WordPress hosting, which includes proactive security and 24/7 support, can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering this error.

With the right approach, you can maintain a seamless user experience and keep your website running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions about 502 bad gateway error