Encountering a “Too Many Redirects” error, often seen as ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS or "This page has a redirect loop"—can be both confusing and frustrating, whether you are a casual web user, developer, or website administrator. This common redirection issue blocks access to web pages and is triggered when a browser gets caught in a continuous loop of HTTP redirects. This guide provides a thorough breakdown of what this error means, why it happens, how to identify its root cause, and actionable steps to resolve it.

What Is a Redirect Loop?

A redirect loop occurs when a server repeatedly points a browser from one URL to another in a circular manner, without ever leading to a final destination. For example:

The browser sends a request to /blog.
The server replies with a redirect to /blog/new.
The browser then requests /blog/new, which again redirects to /blog.
This ping-ponging continues endlessly.

Browsers are programmed to detect such behavior and, after approximately 20 redirects, they halt the cycle and display the error message to prevent infinite loops and potential browser crashes.

How Browsers Display This Error

Different browsers may present the error in varying formats, but the core issue remains the same:

Google Chrome: ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS or "This webpage has a redirect loop."
Mozilla Firefox: "The page isn't redirecting properly."
Safari: "Too many redirects occurred trying to open [URL]."
Microsoft Edge: "This page isn’t working right now."

What Causes Redirect Loops?

Several factors can contribute to an infinite redirect loop:

Conflicting Redirect Rules: Misconfigured server settings (like toggling between HTTP and HTTPS improperly) can create a feedback loop.
Plugin Conflicts: Content management systems like WordPress often use plugins to manage redirects. Incompatible or conflicting plugins—especially SEO, caching, or security tools—can inadvertently cause loops.
SSL/HTTPS Misconfiguration: Incorrect setup of SSL certificates or improper redirection between HTTP and HTTPS versions of a site can lead to loops.
Corrupted Cookies or Cache: Outdated or corrupted browser data can result in inconsistent behavior and misinterpreted redirects.
CDN or Load Balancer Misconfiguration: When using third-party services like Cloudflare, incorrect handling of SSL or redirect logic can trigger these issues.

Diagnosing Redirect Loops: Step-by-Step

To effectively fix the error, you first need to identify its cause:

Use Browser Developer Tools: Open the Network tab in DevTools and refresh the page to watch the sequence of redirects.
Review Server Logs: Access and error logs can help track down the looping URLs.
Test on Other Devices or Networks: Isolate whether the issue is device-specific or server-wide.
Redirect Chain Analysis Tools: Tools like httpstatus.io or Redirect Checker can visually map redirect paths and pinpoint where the loop starts.

Fixing the Error

For Website Visitors:

Clear Cookies and Cache: Go to your browser’s privacy settings and clear browsing data to remove corrupted cookies.
Use Incognito Mode: Incognito windows bypass cached data, helping determine if cookies are the problem.
Disable Browser Extensions: Extensions like ad blockers can interfere with redirects—try disabling them temporarily.
Switch Browsers or Devices: Test if the error persists across environments.
Check Your System Clock: Incorrect date and time settings can sometimes trigger authentication-related redirects.

For Website Owners:

Correct Redirect Rules:
- Apache (.htaccess): Look for circular logic in rewrite or redirect rules.
- Nginx (nginx.conf): Ensure HTTPS redirects are configured correctly without conflicting logic.

Example:

    # Safe way to redirect HTTP to HTTPS
      server {
          listen 80;
          server_name example.com;

          location / {
             # Only redirect if not already on HTTPS
             if ($http_x_forwarded_proto != "https") {
                return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
             }
         }
      }

Check Plugin Settings: Deactivate all plugins temporarily. If the loop resolves, reactivate them one at a time to find the culprit.
Verify SSL Settings: Confirm proper SSL installation and ensure your CDN or load balancer’s SSL mode (like Full or Full Strict in Cloudflare) matches your server setup.
CMS Configuration: In platforms like WordPress, ensure the “Site URL” and “WordPress URL” match exactly.
CDN and Load Balancer Review: Misaligned redirect logic between your web server and CDN can be the hidden cause.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Developers

Use curl: Run curl -IL https://yoursite.com to trace all redirects and status codes.
Analyze Server Logs: Look for repetitive redirect entries in logs to determine the cycle’s origin.
Monitor Traffic with Tools: Tools like Fiddler or Wireshark can inspect HTTP headers and help dissect complex redirect chains.

Leveraging Pinggy for Redirect Management

Pinggy is a valuable tool for website performance monitoring and diagnostic analysis. It helps developers and administrators:

Visualize redirect chains
Identify configuration errors
Monitor SSL status
Test site behavior in real-time

Whether you're debugging HTTPS issues or ensuring your CDN is correctly integrated, Pinggy provides robust insight to eliminate redirect loops before they affect users.

Best Practices to Prevent Future Redirect Loops

Maintain Documentation: Keep a well-documented record of all redirect rules.
Limit Redirect Chains: Avoid chaining multiple redirects unnecessarily.
Test Before Deploying: Always validate redirect rules in a staging environment.
Audit Regularly: Periodically review server and CMS redirect settings to ensure they remain conflict-free.

Conclusion

Redirect loops, while frustrating, are entirely fixable. With a solid understanding of how they occur and the right diagnostic tools, you can quickly identify and resolve the issue. Whether it’s fixing a plugin conflict, correcting server rules, or using monitoring platforms like Pinggy, a systematic approach can restore website accessibility and improve user experience. Staying proactive in redirect management not only prevents errors but ensures your site runs smoothly and efficiently for all visitors.

References:

Pinggy's Official Website
Too Many Redirects error: What it means and how to fix
DNS Load Balancing
Documentation

Understanding the “Too Many Redirects” Error: Causes, Troubleshooting, and Solutions