What is HTTP error 503 in WordPress and how to Fix it?

What is HTTP error 503 in WordPress and how to Fix it?

Jun 03, 2023

503 service unavailable

I understand how frustrating it can be to encounter errors on your WordPress site. One of the most common errors that WordPress users face is the HTTP error 503. This error can occur for a variety of reasons, such as server overload or maintenance, and can cause your website to become temporarily unavailable. In this post, we will be discussing what the HTTP error 503 is, what causes it, and most importantly, how to fix it. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve this error, so you can get your website back up and running as quickly as possible. So, if you're currently experiencing the HTTP error 503 on your WordPress site, don't worry - we've got you covered! Let's dive in and get your website back to its optimal performance.


What's the HTTP 503 Service Unavailable Error?


The HTTP 503 Service Unavailable Error is a common error that can occur when a server is unable to handle a request due to temporary overload or maintenance. As a friendly sales rep and customer support agent for Groove.cm, I understand how frustrating it can be to encounter this error on your website. When this error occurs, it means that the server is unable to respond to the request, and as a result, the website becomes temporarily unavailable. This can be a major issue for website owners, as it can lead to a loss of traffic and revenue. However, there are steps that can be taken to resolve this error and get your website back up and running. In our post titled "What is HTTP error 503 in WordPress and how to Fix it?", we provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve this error. So, if you're currently experiencing the HTTP 503 Service Unavailable Error on your website, don't worry - we're here to help!


Have you ever seen 503 services unavailable error in WordPress? If you are a beginner, then it will be a frustrating thing. WordPress is one of the most popular CMS nowadays. Learning WordPress is not as much difficult but there are some issues which do not solve out easily. 503 service unavailable error is one of the common issues which many people face. In this article, we will show how we can fix 503 service unavailable error in WordPress.

What is HTTP error 503?

HTTP error 503 is also known as service unavailable error can cause due to the heavy number of requests that overloading your website. When the server is not able to process the request, then this error will occur. There are many reasons which can cause the issue. Some of the reasons are:

  • Server Maintenance
  • Hacking of Server
  • Bug Problem
  • Bad coding
  • Large Data Transfer

Fixing 503 service unavailable error

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As we discussed, there are many reasons which can cause the error. Mainly, it occurs when a Web server is unable to process the request or not getting a proper response from the PHP scripts running in the background. There are many steps which you have to follow to diagnose and troubleshoot the issue. These are:

Deactivate WordPress Plugins

Plugins are the main reason for 503 service unavailable error. All plugins are PHP scripts and they are the main cause of the error. This is due to some bad coding of the plugins. So the first thing you have to do is deactivate your plugins. For more details, read our previous article on how to deactivate plugins in WordPress.

You are thinking, as we are not able to login to the dashboard, then how we can do this? To do that, you have to connect your website using an FTP client or cPanel. Then go to /wp-content/ folder and rename the plugins folder to plugins-old.

Now create a new folder and named it plugins.

Now visit your website to see if the issue is solved.

If solved, then it means one of the plugin causing the issue. All your plugins are deactivated. Again connect your website with FTP client and delete the empty plugins folder you created.

Now rename the plugins-old folder back to plugins. Then log in to the dashboard and one by one activate the plugins to see which of the plugin causing the issue.

If the problem still persists, then move on to next step.

Deactivate the theme

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The next step is deactivates the active theme and switch to a default theme. A Theme can be the reason for the error.

Connect your website with FTP client and navigate to /wp-content/themes/ folder.

Locate your active theme and download its folder as a backup.

Now after downloading the active theme, delete the active theme folder(here is YourActiveTheme) from your database.
It will automatically activate the default theme of WordPress. Now visit your website to check the if the issue is resolved.

Another Method

If the issue still persists, then you have to take the following steps:

  • Contact your WordPress hosting company to know the issue.
  • At last, you can reinstall WordPress with a fresh copy.

We hope you like this article. If you have any query, you can ask in below comment box.


503 Error Variations


There are several variations of the 503 error that you may encounter, including:

  1. HTTP Error 503 Service Unavailable
  2. 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable
  3. Error 503 Backend fetch failed
  4. Error 503 Service Unavailable
  5. 503 Error - Service Unavailable


Each of these variations indicates the same underlying issue - that the server is unable to handle the request due to temporary overload or maintenance. However, the specific message may vary depending on the server and the software being used. Regardless of the specific message, it's important to take steps to resolve the error and get your website back up and running as quickly as possible. In our post titled "What is HTTP error 503 in WordPress and how to Fix it?", we provide detailed instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve this error. So, if you're currently experiencing any variation of the 503 error on your website, be sure to check out our post for guidance on how to fix it.


What Causes an HTTP Error 503?


The HTTP Error 503 is typically caused by a server overload or maintenance. When a server is overloaded, it may be unable to handle incoming requests, resulting in the error. Similarly, when a server is undergoing maintenance, it may be temporarily unavailable, resulting in the error. Other potential causes of the HTTP Error 503 include issues with the server software or configuration, as well as issues with the network or internet connection.


It's important to note that the specific cause of the error may vary depending on the server and the software being used. However, regardless of the cause, it's important to take steps to resolve the error and get your website back up and running as quickly as possible. In our post titled "What is HTTP error 503 in WordPress and how to Fix it?", we provide detailed instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve this error. So, if you're currently experiencing the HTTP Error 503 on your website, be sure to check out our post for guidance on how to fix it.


How to Fix the 503 Error?


Here are some steps you can take to resolve the error:


  1. Refresh the page: Sometimes, the error may be temporary and can be resolved by simply refreshing the page.
  2. Check server status: Check to see if the server is undergoing maintenance or is experiencing an overload. If this is the case, you may need to wait until the server is back up and running.
  3. Check server logs: Check the server logs to see if there are any errors or issues that may be causing the error.
  4. Clear cache and cookies: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies may help to resolve the error.
  5. Disable plugins: If you're using a CMS like WordPress, try disabling any plugins that may be causing the error.
  6. Contact your hosting provider: If none of the above steps work, contact your hosting provider for assistance.


What is HTTP error 503 Common Asked Questions


I'd be happy to provide you with some common questions and their answers related to the HTTP Error 503 in WordPress and how to fix it.


What is HTTP Error 503 in WordPress? HTTP Error 503 is a server error that occurs when the server is unable to handle incoming requests due to temporary overload or maintenance.


What causes HTTP Error 503 in WordPress? The HTTP Error 503 in WordPress is typically caused by a server overload or maintenance. Other potential causes include issues with the server software or configuration, as well as issues with the network or internet connection.


How can I fix HTTP Error 503 in WordPress? There are several steps you can take to fix the HTTP Error 503 in WordPress, including refreshing the page, checking server status, checking server logs, clearing cache and cookies, disabling plugins, and contacting your hosting provider for assistance.


How do I check server status? You can check server status by contacting your hosting provider or using a server monitoring tool.


How do I check server logs? You can check server logs by accessing the error log file on your server or using a server log analysis tool.


How do I clear cache and cookies? To clear cache and cookies, go to your browser settings and select the option to clear browsing data. Be sure to select the option to clear cache and cookies.


How do I disable plugins? To disable plugins, go to the plugins section of your WordPress dashboard and deactivate any plugins that may be causing the error.


I hope this information was helpful! If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask.



You can also check How to Disable the Search option in WordPress.