Understanding Error Code 522: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

A website shows a 522 error when the server is too slow or unable to respond. For site owners, this error code means no traffic and no sales. It also causes frustration among visitors who may leave and never return.

However, the Cloudflare HTTP status code is fixable. Keep reading to learn why it happens, how to resolve it, and what steps to take to avoid this 522 error code.

What is a 522 error?

A 522 error means that the origin web server (the server that responds to requests to see a website) had a connection timeout with the content delivery network (CDN).

Basically, the server took too long to respond to the CDN, and the connection ended. If a 522 status code happens, you'll receive an error notification like:

• Error 522: Connection timed out
• Connection timed out (Error code 522)

Cloudflare and 522 errors

Cloudflare is a DNS provider. Think of it as a security guard that sits between your browser and the origin web server. It checks incoming traffic for malicious activity and keeps copies of website files to speed up communication.

The standard process begins with a browser request to see a website. Cloudflare reviews the request, verifies its authenticity, and then asks the origin server for the website. The web server provides the website files, which Cloudflare then sends to the browser.

A 522 error means a server-side communication problem. Cloudflare tried to contact the web server, but it didn't respond within a reasonable time. The connection between Cloudflare and the server was delayed, blocked, or unavailable.

Common causes for a 522 error

A 522 timeout happens in two situations:

1. When Cloudflare tries to establish a connection but receives no response within 19 seconds, it causes a 522 error.

2. The other scenario is when a connection occurs, but the server doesn't respond to requests within 90 seconds.

Here are a few reasons why these situations occur:

• Check the origin server: The origin server may be handling too much traffic or may not have enough resources to respond in time. To manage the load, the origin server may stop responding to incoming requests. An overwhelmed central processing unit (CPU), random-access memory (RAM), and bandwidth can cause issues.
• Review the site’s firewall settings: Sometimes firewalls (along with iptables and .htaccess) don't recognize Cloudflare's IP addresses and then block them. When Cloudflare contacts the server, the firewall stops the connection.
• Confirm the routing setup: Cloudflare uses keepalives to maintain uninterrupted connections between protocols. Keepalives are messages that check if the connection is alive and not broken. It allows for faster internet speeds. Without it, Cloudflare has to keep reconnecting for every request. Disabled keepalives in the web origin server can make it more difficult to have continuous connections.
• Spot DNS record issues: DNS records are like maps that guide you to your website destination. Sometimes these records can get misconfigured and send requests to the wrong place. Check Cloudflare DNS settings to confirm the records are set to the right location.

5 Questions to ask yourself when fixing error code 522

As a site owner, you need to address 522 errors. They aren't the type of HTTP status codes that fix themselves. Even if it was a temporarily overloaded server, site owners may need to upgrade their hosting package to prevent the issue from happening again.

Here are some points to consider when attempting to fix error code 522.

1. Is the origin server running?

Contact your web hosting provider to check the status of your origin server. Technical issues or maintenance may have caused an unavailable server.

If that's not the case, share these details with your hosting provider to help them pinpoint the cause:

• Which specific error code and message did you receive?
• What time and geographic location did the error occur?
• Which URL is leading to the 522 error?

2. Are SSL/TLS settings matched?

An SSL/TLS connection is like two friends with a secret code. Both friends (the website and your browser) need to agree on the same secret code for effective communication. If they don't match, they don't understand each other. Make sure the SSL/TLS settings match by using an authentic security certificate.

3. Are the firewalls too rigid?

Firewalls may think Cloudflare IP addresses are malicious traffic and block them. First, make sure that your web hosting provider allows all Cloudflare IP ranges. Then go into firewall settings, review blocked IP addresses, and whitelist any Cloudflare IPs. Whitelisting will unblock Cloudflare and let it operate.

4. Have you checked the server logs?

Server logs keep track of HTTP requests, server errors, security actions, and other transactions. The logs can tell you what was happening at the time the 522 error occurred. You may find which specific action is causing issues.

You can also review monitoring logs. A common cause of HTTP errors is an overloaded server, especially with shared web hosting types. Take a look at the CPU, RAM, and bandwidth usage. Limited resources may cause the server to slow down as it attempts to manage requests.

5. What diagnostic tests have you run?

One way to check the origin server status is to pause Cloudflare. By removing the middleman, you can access the website directly. This helps diagnose the cause of HTTP error codes.

If the site loads without Cloudflare, it can indicate a problem between the CDN provider and the origin web server. If the site still doesn't load, there is a hosting or server issue.

Ways to prevent future 522 errors

522 errors are a nuisance at best, costly at worst. Take preventative steps so visitors can always view your site. Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your site up and running:

• Maintain a healthy origin server: Use uptime monitoring tools, like UptimeRobot or Pingdom, to confirm your site is operational. You can also check server resources to verify that you have enough memory and bandwidth.
• Check firewall settings: Firewalls are designed to block malicious traffic, but sometimes Cloudflare IP addresses get misidentified. Make sure your firewall settings haven't blocked Cloudflare IP ranges.
• Update DNS/SSL configurations: If you switch hosting providers, ensure DNS records and SSL certificates are set up correctly.
• Find a host that lets you scale: As your site grows in traffic, find the best web hosting provider that can keep up with the increasing number of visitors.

FAQs

Bottom line

522 errors can prevent visitors from viewing your site. It leads to lower traffic volume and missed sales. Resolving the issue means site owners should check the origin server's status, server resources, firewall settings, and DNS configurations.

Your web hosting provider is a valuable resource for solving HTTP errors like 522. Pick a reliable and scalable web hosting service to keep your site live 24/7.