ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS on your own website: what it means and how to fix it

Your browser asked for a page and got sent somewhere else, then back, then somewhere else, until it gave up. Chrome calls it ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS. Firefox says "The page isn't redirecting properly". Safari says "Too many redirects occurred".

The usual causes, most common first

  1. Cloudflare set to "Flexible" SSL while your server also forces https. Cloudflare talks to your server over http. Your server answers "go to https". Cloudflare asks again over http. Forever. Fix: in Cloudflare, SSL/TLS, set the mode to Full or Full (strict).
  2. WordPress address mismatch. Under Settings, General, the WordPress Address and Site Address differ from the address you actually use (http vs https, www vs no www). Make both the same, exactly. If you cannot reach the admin, set WP_HOME and WP_SITEURL in wp-config.php.
  3. Two redirects fighting. A hosting panel says "force www" and a plugin or .htaccess rule says "remove www". Keep one rule. Delete the other.
  4. A redirect plugin loop. A rule sends /shop to /store and another sends /store to /shop. Check your redirect plugin's list.

Check it yourself

Run curl -sI -L --max-redirs 10 https://yourdomain.com in a terminal. Every location: line is one hop. When you see the same two addresses repeating, you have found the loop.

Clear your browser cookies for the site after fixing. A stale cookie can keep the loop alive on your machine after it is gone for everyone else.

Want the rest of your site checked after it is back? Run a free 40-point check at tinkeraudit.com.