A 522 connection timed out error happens when a web server takes too long to respond to a request from a content delivery network (CDN), like Cloudflare. In other words, it means the server did not respond quickly enough, so the connection timed out.

This is typically a server-side problem. It's not something that the visitor caused. Rather, it usually points to something going on with your website's server. If you're using a CDN in order to help your site run faster and remain secure, this error is an indication that your server could be having a difficult time handling a lot of traffic, has some settings that are set up incorrectly, or is experiencing network problems.

Why does a 522 connection timed out error happen?

A 522 error appears when the CDN (such as Cloudflare) is able to locate your server's address but fails to get a response from it within a reasonable amount of time. Some of the reasons for this are as follows.

• High server load. Your website's hosting server may be too busy processing requests or just doesn't have enough resources to keep up.
• Firewall or security software. Security on your server could be accidentally blocking legitimate requests from Cloudflare.
• Routing or network problems. There could be delays or issues in the network path between Cloudflare and your server.
• Bad DNS configuration. Incorrect DNS settings can cause Cloudflare to not be able to locate your server correctly.
• Slow origin server. If your server itself is slow to respond, it may cause these timeout errors.

What does a 522 connection timed out error look like?

When this occurs, your website visitors will typically be presented with an error message straight from Cloudflare that appears as follows:

Error 522: Connection timed out
The web server is not returning a connection. As a result, the website is temporarily unavailable.

It's not a great experience for anyone trying to access your site and suggests that something needs to be looked at on your end.

How to fix a 522 connection timed out error

If your site is experiencing this error, these are some things you can do.

1. Check your server’s status

First of all, check that your hosting server is online and functioning properly. Check whether it's under unusually high load.

2. Whitelist Cloudflare IPs

Double-check if your server has any firewall or security software installed that might be unintentionally blocking Cloudflare IP addresses. You should be able to find Cloudflare's IP ranges in their documentation.

3. Check DNS and network settings

Make sure your DNS records are pointing to the right IP address on your server and that there are no apparent network connectivity problems.

4. Check server responsiveness

Employ server logs or tools such as curl or ping to check how responsive your server is to requests. This can assist you in determining whether the server itself is the bottleneck.

5. Upgrade your hosting

If your traffic on your website has been increasing or you are experiencing frequent spikes, it may be time to consider upgrading to a hosting plan with more resources or optimizing your server for better performance.

FAQs about the 522 connection timed out error

What is a 522 connection timed out error?

It's an error indicating that a CDN (such as Cloudflare) attempted to establish a connection to your website server but didn't get a timely reply.The issue usually lies with the origin server.

Is a 522 error caused by my internet connection?

No, it's almost always a problem on the server side. The issue is with how your website's server is (or isn't) responding to requests from the CDN.

How can I prevent 522 errors in the future?

Making sure your server is stable and has sufficient resources, that your security settings permit Cloudflare to connect, and that your DNS is properly set up are important steps. Selecting a good hosting provider can also go a long way to preventing these timeouts.

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