ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS – How to fix it for Google Chrome

If you are a Chrome user and seeing ‘Error 3xx (net::ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS’ or ‘This webpage has a redirect loop – ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS’, you are not alone. This happens frequently and can be temporary or permanent depending on the URL you are visiting and the specific cause of the problem.

This tutorial will guide you through everything you need to know about the too many redirects error in Google Chrome.

What are HTTP redirects?

HTTP redirects are a method for a website to direct your browser to a different page instead of the linked one. This could be due to maintenance, the page has been moved, or for other reasons. For example, a business could change its domain name and redirect the website from the old domain to the website using the new domain.

Chrome can handle up to 20 redirects without giving the error, but once that threshold is exceeded, it will throw the ‘ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS’ error.

The transaction is something like this:

• The browser sends a GET message to the web server.
• The server responds with a 3xx message with the redirected URL
• The browser recognizes the message and goes to the new address.
• The browser loads the website.

A redirect loop is where the browser is sent to a redirected URL which directs it back to the original URL, which redirects it again and so on. This is surprisingly easy to do as a website administrator. I’ll show you what you can do if you see the too many redirects error in Google Chrome.

Too many redirects as a visitor

If you are visiting the website, you can clear your browser’s cache and cookies.

1. Open Chrome and select the Chrome dropdown at the top.
   
2. Then select More tools > Clear browsing data… From the dropdown menu, you can also type Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open the window in the next step.
   
3. Now, click the checkbox next to Cached images and files.
4. Then click Delete data.
   

Now, retry the URL that gave the error. You should now be able to navigate the website.

If that doesn’t work, try another browser. If another browser works but Chrome doesn’t try this:

1. Guy chrome://extensions in the Chrome address bar and press Get into.
2. Now, try disabling your extensions one at a time by clicking the toggle button below the extension, test the website again after disabling each one.
   

Make sure you disable one before retesting, otherwise you won’t know which one was causing the problem. The goal is to see if you can isolate the cause of the problem to a specific Chrome extension.

Too many redirects as a website administrator

If you manage or run the website, you have work to do. You have a redirect set up somewhere that repeats or repeats too many times. Let’s find out which redirects are repeating so you can resolve the issue on the administrative backend of your website.

1. Navigate to Redirect checker and write your URL
2. Select analyze to see what is being redirected and where
3. Identify those redirects that return to themselves
4. Change loop redirects through your website’s administrative interface

“Change loop redirects through your website’s administrative interface” It may sound a little vague, but the exact method depends on the platform your website uses. For example, in WordPress, you might be using a redirect plugin or need to modify your .htaccess file. In Joomla you could use Redirect Manager, in Magento, you would use the Rewrite Management tool. You get the idea.

All you need to do is identify the redirect causing the problem and then troubleshoot the problem on whatever platform you use to manage your site, consulting your platform and hosting company’s documentation for guidance.

Once you’ve fixed the issue, retest the links thoroughly to make sure the fix worked as expected.

Redirect

There are different types of redirects, all with codes starting with 3xx.

• 301 – Page moved permanently.
• 302 – Website temporarily unavailable.
• 303 – Used to redirect after a PUT or POST to prevent page refresh.
• 307 – Website temporarily unavailable due to something planned. Successor of 302 redirects for HTTP 1.1.
• 308 – Permanent redirection for another reason.
• 300: Special redirect that is not used very often.
• 304: Special redirect indicating a cache refresh for cached web pages.

Why redirects are used

There are many legitimate reasons to use redirects and you will be surprised how often they are used. The most common reason to use a redirect is when you move the page to a new host or URL. If you’ve worked hard on your SEO, you don’t want to lose everything when you move a page.

Instead, it uses a 301 redirect to inform browsers and search engines that your page has been moved. This still brings visitors to the page and retains all the SEO benefits you gained.

A 302 or 307 redirect is useful if you are testing the page or updating it to adapt to new style or technology. If the URL structure is to remain identical, you only need to add a temporary redirect before actually publishing the page.

Redirects are very useful for managing a website without losing visitors or SEO value. They require attention and testing, but can be a very useful tool.

ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Takeaway

There are many reasons why ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS can appear in Chrome, and not all problems are specific to Chrome. Start by checking the site with a different browser to see if it’s only happening in Chrome, then you can move on to diagnosing and fixing the issue.

If you have any suggestions on how to handle too many redirects, please comment below.