What Is a 502 Status Code?

Whether a "404 Not Found" or "504 Gateway Timeout", many error codes indicate the status of the request responded to by the server.

Are you also one of those who have opened a website and received an error message? These codes help us know what went wrong and how we can troubleshoot these codes.

You may have received an error message, but have you ever seen the 502 status code?

It is a common error code that occurs when there is an issue in server communication, causing one server to fail to get a valid response from the main server.

It can happen for many reasons, so understanding 502 errors is essential, as they can impact the user experience and website performance.

This blog will explore the 502 status code meaning, causes, and solutions to understand this error code better.

What is a 502 Status Code?

A 502 Status Code or 502 Bad Gateway error is an HTTP response status indicating a problem with server communication.

This error usually means that one server has an invalid response while acting as a gateway or proxy, which causes the requested webpage to be temporarily unavailable or unreachable.

In simple terms, a 502 Bad Gateway happens when server A tries to connect to the server B to get information.

However, it gets a bad or no response, which can mean that server B may be down, overloaded, or having issues with its network connection.

Common Causes for a 502 Error

The HTTP 502 status code can arise for various reasons, usually in server-side issues. The “bad gateway” message indicates that something is wrong with one server trying to gain access to information from another server.

Here are some of the common reasons why a 502 error might appear.

Server Overload

One of the primary reasons for the 502 error code is server overload. This is because the server can handle only a limited amount of traffic at a time.

When too many users try to access a website simultaneously, the server gets overwhelmed with too much traffic, resulting in overloading. The overloading, in turn, causes the server to respond slowly or fail to respond at all.

It can happen during peak times, such as sales on e-commerce websites, high-traffic events, or when checking the common university or school results.

Server Downtime or Maintenance

Sometimes, websites or their servers are under scheduled maintenance or unexpected downtime. During this period, the server temporarily stops handling requests.

So, a 502 error occurs when the secondary server attempts to connect to a primary one that is offline or under maintenance.

Network Issues or Connectivity Problems

Another reason the status code 502 occurs is network issues or connectivity problems. When there is a communication problem between servers, the 502 response code can appear on your screens.

Also, a temporary or long-lasting network connection failure between the primary server and other required servers can cause a “bad gateway.”

DNS (Domain Name System) Issues

The DNS problems, such as incorrect DNS records or outdated settings, prevent servers from correctly locating each other.

That is why it is necessary to ensure a proper DNS configuration; otherwise, the server will struggle to communicate when the DNS is misconfigured, which will automatically result in a 502 error code.

Firewall Blocks or Security Settings

Firewalls protect servers from malicious traffic, but the server can block legitimate requests if the firewall settings are overly strict or the security software is misconfigured.

When a firewall block requests mistakenly from one server to another, the connection can fail, resulting in a 502 error.

Code Errors or Faulty Scripts

A website’s code or scripts can contain errors that prevent the server from correctly processing the request. For example, poorly written scripts, plugins, or third-party applications can affect the server’s communication ability, leading to a 502 status code.

Issues with load Balancers

Load balancers are also the reason why the 502 HTTP error happens. They help distribute the high traffic across several servers, which helps prevent overload on any server.

However, it can request an offline or overload server if they are not functioning well or cannot reach one of the servers it is supposed to balance, which ultimately results in this error code.

Proxy Server Issues

If a website uses a proxy server to handle requests, any problem or misconfiguration with the proxy can lead to a 502 status code.

These servers are intermediary servers, so issues within them can prevent data from connecting correctly with the main server.

Web Hosting Problems

The other reason for 502 errors can be when there is an issue with the web hosting provider. If there are technical difficulties on their end, like hardware failure or overloaded hosting infrastructure, the problem of 502 errors can arise until the hosting provider fixes the issue.

How to Identify a 502 Error?

You must have learned what the 502 status codes are and their causes, but how can you identify the 502 errors? Usually, you can see a message on web pages indicating the problem. Let’s get into details on how to identify these errors.

Common Messages Across Browsers

A message will often be displayed on the screen if you visit a website experiencing a 502 error. The most frequent messages you will run into include:

First, the 502 Bad Gateway often appears on browsers and is the most common indicator of a 502 error.

You can see a more detailed description in more technical browsers or server environments, considered an HTTP Error 502—Bad Gateway.

502 Proxy Error appears when a proxy server encounters an issue.

502 Serve Temporarily Overloaded is sometimes the message displayed by some servers or hosting providers if an overloaded server causes the error code 502.

502 Connection Timed Out indicates a timeout. It happens when the server takes a long time to respond to a request, often due to issues with network speed, server overload, or poor server performance.

Error 502 or 503 Server Error are not so common forms of the message. They indicate a server error with code 502 but provide little additional information.

Custom Error Pages

Many websites don't show the general 502 error message because they create branded, custom error pages.

These pages have creative messages like "Oops! Something went wrong. You can try again later." along with a 502 status code.

They don't usually mention "Bad Gateway," but the error code will be displayed elsewhere on the page.

Extended Load Times

It also happens that you can't see an error message right away. Instead, you may face a long delay as the browser tries to connect.

With this delay, you can identify the 502 error, which indicates the server is struggling to process the request but eventually fails.

Extended load times often suggest the server is overloaded or facing connectivity issues.

502 Error vs. Other 5xx Errors: What's the Difference?

The 502 Bad Gateway error is one of the types within the vast category of 5xx HTTP status codes.

All 5xx errors indicate the issue on the server's side, unlike the 4xx error codes, such as 404, 403, or 409 status codes that show the issue on the client side. The 5xx error points to a unique problem.

Here is how the 502 error differs from other 5xx status codes.

500 Internal Server Error:

It is a general error that signals the server is facing an unexpected issue. However, it doesn't specify the exact problem and is caused by misconfigured server settings, broken server software, or coding errors.

501 Not Implemented:

This status code signifies that the server doesn't recognise or support the functionality required by the request. It is seen when a server can't support a request type.

503 Service Unavailable:

A 503 error indicates the server is temporarily unavailable, often due to maintenance or overload. It is close to the 502 error, but 503 suggests the server itself is unreachable.

504 Gateway Timeout:

Like the 502 errors, the 504 error also occurs between servers. It means one server didn't receive a response on time from another server within the allowed timeframe.

505 HTTP Version Not Supported:

This error appears when a server doesn't support the HTTP protocol version that the client is using.

Solutions for Fixing a 502 Status Code

Are you looking for ways to fix a 502 status code? Resolving a 502 Bad Gateway often involves troubleshooting the client and server to pinpoint where the problem is happening. Here are some effective solutions to fix a 502 status code.

Refresh the Page

Sometimes, a 502 error is just a temporary problem with the server. When servers handle a high volume of requests, it can cause a 502 response code. So, refreshing the page can resolve this issue. You can do it by hitting the browser's refresh button or simply pressing F5.

Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies

A 502 status code can occur due to corrupted or outdated cache files in your browser. These files conflict with the server's current version of the page, resulting in an error code like 502.

Cleaning your cache can help remove these files, allowing the browser to load fresh content from the server.

Try a Different Browser

The HTTP code 502 also occurs when browser extensions or settings cause compatibility issues. You can try an alternative browser to know whether the problem relates to your browser or another issue.

For instance, if you were opening a website on Google Chrome and the 502 status code appears, you can try different browsers like Firefox, Edge, or Safari to see if the error persists. If the site loads on another browser, the issue is likely with your original browser's settings or extensions.

Disable Browser Extensions

Another solution for fixing the 502 error is turning off the ad blockers, privacy extensions, or other plugins that interfere with loading web pages. It will help you identify if an extension is causing the 502 error code.

If disabling each extension and reloading works, you can enable them individually to identify which extension is causing the problem.

Restart Your Router and Modem

As mentioned earlier, network or connectivity issues are also the reason why the 502 error code occurs. Network issues prevent a smooth connection to the server, leading to a 502 response code.

Restarting your router and modem can help solve this problem because it refreshes your internet connection and resolves any temporary network glitches.

Flush DNS Cache

DNS cache stores information about visited websites. It interferes with loading pages if it is outdated or corrupted. That is why flushing the DNS cache can help fix it by forcing your device to request updated IP addresses, which can resolve connectivity issues.

Check for DNS Issues and Change DNS Servers

The users often can't reach the sites when DNS servers experience issues, which makes them unreachable. Changing to a public DNS server, like Google's or Cloudflare's, can help improve connectivity.

Disable Proxy or VPN

Proxies and VPNs can route traffic through additional servers, which can cause conflicts or connection issues, resulting in a 502 error code.

Disabling these services can help you determine if they are the reason that is causing this error, which is often caused by miscommunication between your device and the website's server.

Contact Your Hosting Provider

After you have used every solution to fix the error and the error still persists, it can be due to a server-side issue that can be solved only by your hosting provider.

They can help you know whether the problem is occurring because of ongoing server maintenance or other issues affecting your site.

Temporarily Disable Firewall or Security Software

Firewalls can sometimes block server communication, resulting in 502 errors. Disabling the firewall temporarily can help you solve the 502 status code or know if any other issue is causing this error.

Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

CDNs distribute your website content across a network of servers worldwide. If one server is facing issues, a CDN can reroute requests. It could lead to these requests bypassing 502 errors.

Impact of a 502 Status Code on Website’s

These errors occur on the web pages but also impact a website. The 502 status code affects its performance and user performance, eventually harming reputation, revenue, and search engine optimisation.

Loss of Traffic and Revenue

When the user or visitor comes across a 502 error code, there is a high possibility that they will leave the site, especially if they are unable to access it after trying multiple times. It can directly impact revenue, particularly for e-commerce websites.

Poor User Experience

Users often feel frustrated due to repeated errors, negatively impacting the website’s reliability. If errors keep occurring, it can result in reduced user engagement while preventing the building of digital trust.

Negative SEO Impact

Search engines like Google may lower the website’s ranking if the 502 error codes occur frequently. The reduced rankings will lead to decreased visibility and organic traffic over time.

Increased Bounce Rate

When users face the 502 error, they are more likely to leave your site immediately, which can result in an increased bounce rate. The increased bounce rates aren’t good for your website because they can affect SEO and user engagement.

Reduced Conversion Rates

Whether for new or future business, 502 errors during actions, such as checkout, can interrupt conversions, impacting sales and lead generation.

Steps for Website Owners to Resolve a 502 Error

The problems can occur when error codes like HTTP 502 appear online. However, website owners can easily solve these errors by following the key steps.

👉 Use server monitoring tools to check the server’s status and if it is functioning well or experiencing downtime or overload.

👉 Analyse recent code changes to see if they introduced any bugs or misconfigurations.

👉 Clear the website cache to remove outdated or corrupted data, possibly leading to the 502 error code.

👉 Contact your hosting provider to verify whether the issue occurs from server-side problems.

👉 Consider upgrading your server’s resources to manage increased traffic or resource limitations.

👉 Restart the web server and check the database for web applications to fix temporary issues or glitches.

👉 Check and adjust your firewall or security settings to ensure they are not in the way of server requests.

👉 Verify that any external APIs or services your site relies on are working correctly and not causing errors, such as a 502 status code.

👉 Update your DNS settings or switch to a faster DNS provider to improve connection reliability.

👉 Set up a CDN to distribute website traffic and reduce server load. It will help improve the website’s performance and uptime.

👉 Check server logs for error messages that can help determine the cause of the 502 error code.

Preventing 502 Errors in the Future

Once you have fixed the 502 status code, you may want them not to appear again to ensure enhanced website performance, rankings, and organic traffic. Here are some preventive measures to avoid a status code 502 in the future.

Monitor Website Performance Regular

Monitoring your website’s performance consistently can help you identify the early signs of issues that may lead to 502 errors.

You can use server monitoring tools and website development services to ensure your website performance is not affected, including server response times, uptime, and high traffic. It will help prevent server overloads or downtime that often result in an error code 502.

Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider

The quality of your hosting provider should be good, as it will help prevent 502 errors. This is because low-quality hosting services, especially shared hosting, don’t have enough resources to handle high-traffic or complex requests. That is why consider the hosting provider with a good reputation for uptime and scalable server resources.

Update and Maintain Plugins, Themes, and Software

Outdated plugins, themes, or software can create problems within your website’s server, which can cause errors.

Ensuring regular updates can help your website to run smoothly and eliminate bugs. It will also help ensure it stays compatible with newer server configurations or software versions.

Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Using CDN can reduce the load on your primary server, which will help your website handle more traffic. CDNs also improve website speed and reliability, ensuring that if one server goes down, the website can still receive content from another.

Optimise Server Settings and Resources

Server settings, such as PHP memory limits, execution timeout, and server response time configurations, can impact the website’s performance. That is why ensure these settings are timely configured and the hosting plan provides enough resources to meet the website’s needs.

Implement Load Balancing

Load balancing prevents the single server from becoming overwhelmed by distributing traffic across multiple servers. It is essential for websites that experience fluctuations or high-traffic volumes. Without it, the 502 status code can occur.

502 Errors on Popular Platforms Like WordPress & Shopify

A 502 error can occur on any website and platform, whether it is a cloud development platform or an e-commerce website. There are many popular platforms like WordPress and Shopify that can also face this issue. Here’s how 502 errors can affect these platforms:

WordPress

WordPress websites rely on various plugins, and conflicts between or with them can lead to a 502 status code. Shared hosting or limited server resources can result in high traffic loads, which can cause server overload and timeouts.

Incorrect or faulty PHP code in WordPress themes or plugins is also why these error codes occur on these platforms.

Integrating with third-party services like email marketing or payment gateways will not only cause your services to go down but also result in a 502 error.

Shopify

Another popular platform, Shopify, also relies on external payment gateways, and any failure or issue in the gateway can cause 502 errors.

It will also interrupt the checkout processes, affecting user experience and engagement. During high-traffic periods, maintenance windows or conflicts between apps can lead to errors like 502.

These platforms also face the problem of 502 error codes, but they have built-in troubleshooting tools or guides to help identify and fix these errors quickly.

Example of a Well-Known Website Affected by 502 Errors

Below are examples that show even business giants can experience 502 errors and server communication issues. However, with the quick resolution strategies, the impact was reduced.

Amazon

Amazon is a global leader in e-commerce and includes all the features of e-commerce. It has experienced 502 errors during high-traffic periods, such as Black Friday or Prime Day.

During these times, a 502 error code can occur on the Amazon website or app due to server overloads, increased traffic, or issues with third-party services.

It shows that well-known websites like Amazon can also come across 502 errors, indicating the importance for websites to manage resources and monitor performance regularly, especially during peak usage times.

Google

Another example is Google, the most widely used website in the world. It has also occasionally been affected by 502 errors.

For example, during a global outage in 2020, users could not access Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, and YouTube, and many encountered 502 Bad Gateway errors.

The most recent example is when Android users across the globe could not open the Google app, resulting in a crash in September 2024, which was later acknowledged and fixed by Google.

Conclusion

To recap, a 502 Bad Gateway occurs when one server acting as a gateway or proxy receives an invalid response from another server. It is caused by various issues like server overload, misconfigurations, or network issues.

If you are also looking for a website and application development company that can build a scalable website, apps, and software solutions that avoid downtime and deliver the best user experience, you can reach out to Arramton Infotech.

While a 502 status code can be frustrating, it can be fixed using some troubleshooting solutions. By understanding its causes, you will be prepared to keep your website running effectively and avoid downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 What does the 502 status code mean?

Ans: A 503 status code occurs when one server doesn't receive a valid response from another server.+

Q2 How can I fix a 502 error on my website?

Ans: You can fix a 502 error on the website by refreshing the page. If it doesn’t work, check server configurations, clear your cache, or look at server logs for more details.

Q3 Does a 502 error affect SEO?

Ans: Yes, frequent 502 errors can affect SEO because it can suggest to search engines that your website is not performing well or is unreliable.

Q4 How do 502 errors affect online businesses?

Ans: Yes, online businesses are affected by 502 error codes as they lead to lost revenue, decreased traffic, and lower SEO rankings.

Q5 Can a 502 error resolve itself?

Ans: Yes, sometimes it can resolve itself. However, if the error is caused due to a temporary server overload, you can just simply refresh the page.

Q6 Is a 502 error the same as a 504 error?

Ans: No, a 502 error is a "Bad Gateway" error, while a 504 error is a "Gateway Timeout," meaning the server didn't respond in time.