What is HTTP 408 Error Code? How to Fix the 408 Request Timeout Error ?

What does 408 mean to HTTP?

The HTTP 408 Request Timeout essentially occurs when a server did not receive a complete request from the client before the timeout eligible for the request period elapsed.

This is a client side status code and therefore normally indicates either that the client took too long in sending the request or that it was lost. The server terminates the connection after waiting for a specific amount of time and getting no data from the client.

As it is explained, a 408 error is given when the server clock does not receive the request from the client in a given time and hence, the connection is closed.

Such situations may occur for many reasons such as a network problem, a problem with the client’s machine or the server overload.

Such as we have seen with the 408 error, the HTTP errors are quite rare as opposed to other errors, but when they are issued, they have clear indications that need to be fixed on the client end to allow easy and efficient communication with the server.

Causes of 408 Request Timeout Error

Network Issues

This results in slow or interrupted communication between the client and the server hence degrading the performance of a network. This may be because of fluctuation in their internet connection, congested network or problems in their network.

Slow Internet Connection

A slow internet connection will sometimes take time in transmitting the complete request to the server leading to the occurrence of a timeout.

This is mostly observed where the client is in the low connection and thereby experiencing hiccups in the connection for a certain while.

Large File Uploads or Downloads

If a client tries to first upload or download a file which is very large it will take time for it to transfer the data thus the server will time out the request.

This is more evident where the client’s download or upload speed is not adequate in transferring large files within a short time.

Client-Side Performance Issues

If the client side utilizes some inefficient or poorly optimized code to send requests to the server, it will extend the amount of time it requires to deliver such requests.

This could be due to problems in client applications or browsers such as heavy scripts, memory leaks or any other performance problem.

Server Overload

While the majority of the scenarios, which result in the rendering of the 408 error are from the client side of the client, from the server side we may realize that this was caused by an overloaded server.

If the number of simultaneous requests received at the server is very high, the server may not be able to respond to incoming requests within the allowable time limit which causes the request to time out.

Misconfigured Server Timeout Settings

Each server has its timeout policies that describe the time it takes before it waits for a client to finish the request it made. If these settings are too restrictive, then even a slight delay in the client’s response may result in a 408 error.

Firewall or Security Software

Firewalls or security software on the client or server side can interfere with the communication process, leading to delays and potential timeout errors.

These security measures might block or slow down certain types of requests, causing them to exceed the server’s timeout limits.

DNS Issues

Problems with Domain Name System (DNS) resolution can lead to delays in establishing a connection between the client and server, which can result in a timeout error.

This can happen if the DNS server is slow to respond or if there are issues with the DNS configuration.

How to Fix the 408 Request Timeout Error?

The HTTP 408 Request Timeout error occurs when the server does not receive a complete request from the client within the allocated time. This can be due to various reasons, including client-side issues, server-side problems, or network-related complications.

Below are detailed steps to fix this error:

Review Recent Database Modifications

As a possible cause of the HTTP 408 error one should take into consideration recent alterations in the database. Even when you are not sure of the cause, return to the previous state to solve the problem.

• Identify Recent Changes: Some important features in a database management tool like phpMyAdmin are useful for reviewing the recent changes made to tables or records.
• Revert Problematic Modifications: In case of finding out modifications that are unwanted, make sure to roll back the database so that the changes made are done away with.

Perform a Site Backup

One more thing important for creating a backup is needed before you even want to make some changes on your website in case something wrong happens.

Manual Backup Using SFTP Client:

• SFTP credentials are needed and can be requested from your hosting provider company.
• Open an FTP client, get connected to the server, then set your local path to the root directory which normally is public_html.

Cloudways Platform Backup:

• From the Cloudways Portal, you are able to sign in to your account.
• The Local Backups option can be set in Backups from the list on the left side of the screen.
• Log into the server from your computer through SFTP using your Master Credentials.
• Navigate to /applications/<your_application_name>/local_backups.

Verify the URL

This type of error is caused by the server being unable to correctly interpret the request that was sent due to a mistyped URL.

• Check for Typos: Check whether the domain name, slashes, or any hyphens in the URL have been entered correctly.
• Re-enter and Refresh: Try retyping the address bar and clicking refresh button in case of suspected typing error.

Revert Recent Updates

Updates for plugins or the WordPress software, for instance, new plugin installations or updates, are among some of the contributing factors to the HTTP 408 error.

Cloudways Platform Restore:

To start with, it is vital to note that there is no direct access to Cloudways but its platform can be accessed using the following steps:

• Under “Servers”, select the server which has the necessary application.
• In the lower section of the product page, go to “Application Management” and then proceed to choose “Backup and Restore.”
• Choose the relevant restore point from the drop-down and click on “Restore Application now”.

Remove Extensions and Plugins

Extensions and plugins can cause compatibility issues and errors, including the HTTP 408 status code.

Deactivate All Plugins:

• Navigate to the Plugins section in the WordPress dashboard.
• Select all installed plugins, choose “Deactivate” from the Bulk Actions dropdown menu, and click “Apply”.

Alternative Deactivation Method:

• Connect to your site via SFTP and rename the plugins folder to something like “plugins_old” to deactivate all plugins.
• Reactivate Plugins One by One: Check if the error is resolved after deactivation, and then reactivate plugins one by one to identify the problematic one.

Review Application Logs

Accessing and analyzing logs can provide crucial information to diagnose and address the HTTP 408 error from a server-side perspective.

For WordPress Users:

• Enable WordPress debugging mode in the wp-config.php file:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

For Cloudways Users:

• Log in to the Cloudways Platform.
• Navigate to the “Monitoring” section and click on “Logs”
• View recent log entries in the “Access Logs” or “Error Logs” sections.

Troubleshoot Apps or Scripts

Debugging your site will help you in getting to the real source of the HTTP 408 error, which arises from a bug or an error within your code.

Query Monitor Plugin:

• Installs a developer’s toolbar to your WordPress control panel.
• Offers a detailed description of the newly generated database queries, PHP scripts generated errors, new HTTP API calls, and many other things.

New Relic:

• A premium tool for effective debugging and continuous monitoring of the application.
• Provides possibility for tracking the clients’ comfort, site effectiveness, and identification of potential problems.

Using New Relic APM on Cloudways:

• Go to New Relic and there you will find a license key and then log in to your New Relic account.
• Navigate to the Cloudways Platform and click on the Servers option; then, select the required server.
• From Server Management, choose Monitoring and click on the New Relic.
• To do this, you need to input your New Relic License Key and apply the changes.
• turn on the New Relic service that is under Server Management > Manage Services.

Validate Server Configuration Files

Checking your server configuration files can help identify misconfigurations that may cause the HTTP 408 error.

For Apache Users:

• Locate the .htaccess file in your site’s root directory.

• Open the file and search for lines containing “KeepAliveTimeout” and “RequestReadTimeout”.
• Comment out these lines by adding “#” at the beginning of each line.

Steps to Access and Edit the .htaccess File on an Apache Web Server:

1. Connect to your server using an FTP client like FileZilla.
2. Navigate to the root folder of your WordPress application (e.g., /applications/sqzucfcyqb/public_html).
3. Locate the .htaccess file within the “public_html” folder.
4. Right-click on the file and select the “View/Edit” option to open it in a text editor.

5. Make the necessary changes to the file and save it.

Conclusion

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