504 Gateway Timeout Error

The 504 Gateway Timeout error is an HTTP status code that means that one server didn't receive a timely response from another server that it was accessing while attempting to load the web page or fill another request by the browser.

In other words, 504 errors usually indicate that a different computer, one that the website you're getting the message on doesn't control but relies on, isn't communicating with it quickly enough.

How You Might See the 504 Error

Individual websites are allowed to customize how they show "gateway timeout" errors, but here are the most common ways you'll see one spelled out:

• 504 Gateway Timeout
• HTTP 504
• 504 ERROR
• Gateway Timeout (504)
• HTTP Error 504 - Gateway Timeout
• Gateway Timeout Error

A 504 Gateway Timeout error shows up inside the internet browser window, just like regular web pages do. There might be a site's standard headers and footers and a friendly, English message on the page, or it could show up on an all-white page with a big 504 at the top. It's all the same message, regardless of how the website happens to show it.

Causes of 504 Gateway Timeout Errors

Most of the time, a 504 Gateway Timeout error means that whatever other server is taking so long that its "timing out" is probably down or not working correctly.

Since this error is usually a network error between servers on the internet or an issue with an actual server, the problem probably is not with your computer, device, or internet connection.

How to Fix the 504 Gateway Timeout Error

Step 1: Retry the web page by selecting the refresh/reload button, pressing F5, or trying the URL from the address bar again.

Even though the 504 Gateway Timeout error is reporting an error outside of your control, it might only be temporary.

Step 2: Restart all of your network devices. Temporary problems with your modem, router, switches, or other networking hardware could be causing the 504 Gateway Timeout issue you're seeing. Just restarting these devices could help

Step 3: Check the proxy server settings in your browser or application and make sure they're correct. Incorrect proxy settings can cause 504 errors.

Step 4: If nothing has worked up to this point, contacting the website is probably the next best thing to do. There's a good chance the website administrators are already working to fix the root cause of the 504 Gateway Timeout error, assuming they're aware of it, but there's nothing wrong with touching base with them.

Most major sites have social networking accounts to help support their services, and some even have telephone numbers and email addresses.

Step 5: If it's starting to look like the website might be giving a 504 error for everyone, searching Twitter for real-time information about the site's outage is often helpful. The best way to do this is to search for #websitedown on Twitter. So, for example, if Facebook might be down, search #facebookdown.

Step 6: Contact your internet service provider. It's very likely at this point, after following all the troubleshooting above, that the 504 Gateway Timeout that you're seeing is a problem caused by a network issue that your ISP is responsible for.

The 504 Gateway Timeout error is either in the hands of the website or your ISP to correct. So check back with the site regularly. No doubt it'll start working again soon.