Understanding the Error Code 521 And Its Fixes!

HTTP error codes are not uncommon when you are visiting a website and trying to access something; however, there are certain error codes that are more common than others, and this is why you need to know everything about them. One such error code that you will see on the internet, while accessing a website, is the “Error Code 521: Web server is down”. 

The appearance of this error can be very frustrating, as you find yourself unable to access the website that you want. Fortunately, there are effective methods that can be used to resolve this error with ease. This detailed article will tell you all about this error, the reasons why it happens, and the methods you can use to get it fixed. 

Understanding the HTTP Error Code 521

As the message accompanying the code says, this error means that the ‘web server is down’. The error usually happens when the request you have sent to the server of the website cannot be handled due to server overload or other issues. This means that the server you are trying to access at the moment is unresponsive, and you cannot establish a connection with it. 

The error code 521 is a sign that states that the server you have requested is not running at the moment. Unlike other error codes, this error makes it clear that the server is unavailable at the moment. If you are a website owner, then it becomes very important for you to understand this error to ensure that your website does not lose its ranking. 

Exploring the Major Causes Behind the Error Code 521

Before we mention the methods that you can use to resolve the error code 521, it is also important to be familiar with all the reasons why you encountered this error. Knowing the causes will assist you in preventing the issue in the future. 

• The biggest reason behind this error is that the server you are trying to access is not online. 
•  If there are issues with firewall configuration and security rules, then you will also face this error. 
• Overloading of the web server can also result in ‘web server is down error code 521’. 

Useful Troubleshooting Methods to Fix the HTTP Status Code 521

Let’s move forward and explore the different methods that you can use when you wish to fix this error and access the website that you want. 

Verify whether the original server is running or not 

If the original server of the website is not up and running, then there is nothing that you can do to fix it. You can rely on tools like Downdetector to check whether the website is online or not. 

Check the encryption settings

The Cloudflare encryption modes are responsible for connecting your server to the website’s server, and if these settings are incorrect, you will not be able to access the server. This is why you need to verify whether the encryption settings are accurate or not. 

Apart from these methods, you can also refer to the website Datarecovee to explore more complex troubleshooting methods.