408 Request Timeout error is an HTTP response status code that indicates that the client did not send a complete request to the server. When the client forwards an incomplete request to the server, which causes it to time out, the server responds with the HTTP status code 408 Request Timeout. That implies that a server acting as a gateway or proxy has timed out. It’s common to experience this error no matter what browser you are using. However, if you’ve been seeing the error 408 Request Timeout too frequently, it’s time for you to fix it.
What is an HTTP status code?
HTTP status codes, such as 401, 408, etc., show the state of a user’s web request. Alternatively, these codes can also indicate additional information, such as the need for a redirect, rerouting, and so on. Thus, HTTP codes are inherently important as they help users understand the issue at a glance.
While there are some common HTTP status codes, such as 404, that everyone is familiar with, there are also some obscure ones, but no matter what code is shown, they all fall under the following categories:
- Informational: The server is still in the process of receiving and processing the web request.
- Successful: It is shown when the request is handled successfully.
- Redirects: It tells the client that the traffic will be redirected to a different target or resource.
- Client-side errors: The request has some sort of error and thus could not be processed.
- Server-side errors: The server is incapable of handling said request at the time.
What is 408 Request Timeout Error?
Going by the information provided above, we can safely conclude that a 408 request timeout is a client-side error HTTP status code that showcases the inability of the request to be successfully communicated to the server due to some sort of issue with the request itself. Although similar to the 504 Gateway Timeout error, the 408 request timeout is directly related to the server.
How does the 408 Request Timeout error message appear?
A 408 error can manifest itself differently in your browser. How this issue creeps up is typically determined by each website and the web server deployed. It may appear on your screen in a variety of ways, including:
- 408 Request Timeout
- 408: request Timeout
- HTTP Error 408 – Request Timeout
- Request Timeout
- The Request Has Timed Out
What are the causes of the HTTP 408 error message?
Although there are 50+ HTTP status codes, most are error messages, providing a general indication for the subsequent solution to the problem. This also applies to error code 408 indicating that too much time has passed since establishing a TCP/IP connection without data transmission. However, there are multiple possible reasons for this delay and subsequent error messages, including:
1. Bandwidth Issues
Insufficient bandwidth is one of the most common causes of error 408. This is particularly common if you are on a shared hosting plan, where your site splits server resources with other sites. If the server becomes overloaded due to increased traffic to one or more of these sites, it can cause your site to load slowly or time out completely.
2. Incorrect or inaccessible URLs
Another common cause of this error is wrong or unreachable URLs. This can be due to a typo in the URL, or the page may have been moved or deleted. If you are a user accessing a site, make sure you don’t type the incorrect URL.
3. Web server issues
The website owner specifies how many seconds an HTTP request should be refused in the corresponding configuration file, no matter what web server software is used. There are different values for the HTTP headers and bodies. If one or both package components are not handled properly due to a short time limit, this might be why users get a 408 error on their pages.
4. Plugins or extensions
Using faulty or out-of-date extensions can cause several issues, including a browser plugin incompatible with the server software or a CMS (Content Management System) module not compatible with the operator’s browser plugins. Thus, the user’s browser plugins and the CMS modules used by the site owner are to blame for HTTP timeouts and HTTP 408 errors.
Methods to Fix 408 Request Timeout
Now we’ll get into several methods to fix the 408 Request Timeout error:
1. Check your internet connection
The first thing you should do when you encounter a 408 error is to check your internet connection. If you are using a shared hosting plan, consider switching to a dedicated one. This can solve the bandwidth or overcrowding issues we already mentioned.
2. Check the URL
Then, make sure to double-check the URL you have been using. At times, a simple mistype can cause the 408 error, as an incorrect URL point may not be able to provide the results you expect. Thus, pay close attention to domain names and only try other solutions after you have cross-checked the URL that you have entered.
3. Adjust your firewall settings to fix the 408 Request Timeout error
If you have a firewall installed on your computer, make sure it is not blocking access to the server. Make an exception for the browser or a specific website. Also, inspect your router network settings—the site may be blocked at the router level.
4. Check your browser settings
Some browsers have a setting that will automatically refresh pages after a certain time. If this setting is enabled, it can cause the browser to time out if the page does not load within the specified time limit. To disable this setting, consult your browser’s documentation.
5. Try accessing the site from another computer
If you still get a 408 Request Timeout error you can’t seem to fix, visit the site from another machine. If you can, the issue is likely with your computer’s connection to the server. In contrast, the server is likely experiencing problems if you cannot.
6. Examine your web server’s timeout settings
Web servers such as Apache and Nginx allow web developers to set time restrictions on their requests, which may prevent a request from staying open for an excessive amount of time. If you’re getting many 408 error messages, however, your KeepAliveTimeout or RequestReadTimeout setting may be too tight. Look for the KeepAliveTimeout or RequestReadTimeout directives in both the .htaccess file and the Apache server config file.
If either rule is present, raise their values, reload the web server, and test it again. In the case of Nginx users, look for directives such as client_body_timeout, client_header_timeout, or keepalive_timeout in nginx.conf. If any of these are discovered, experiment with increasing their values, and reloading the web server to see if it works better.
7. Fix the error “408 Request Timeout” by checking the logs
It’s always a smart idea to check your server’s error logs when troubleshooting an HTTP error code. These might help you figure out what went wrong and where it came from, allowing you to solve the problem.
8. Deactivate faulty CMS plugins
The demand for the content management system (CMS) as a foundation for websites is increasing. These platforms’ major advantages are their high degree of extensibility through modules, templates, and plugins, which give additional features, layouts, and designs. These modifications might also be to blame for the 408 request time-out error.
Extensions from third-party developers may be particularly susceptible to issues with every new CMS upgrade because of the complex nature of extensions. The easy answer is to deactivate such plugins (and modules if necessary).
9. Review your database
If you have made any changes to the database, then chances are these changes are interfering with your web request, causing the 408 request timeout error. A recently installed extension or update to the database can alter the information therein, causing all sorts of trouble. So, revert any changes and try again.
10. Check Server Config Files
You can always check your server configuration files to figure out exactly what is causing your 408 error. Accessing these configuration files might depend on which software you are using. Apache users can simply access the .htaccess file and edit it to allow timeout.