How to Fix the "Too Many Redirects" Error in WordPress

In my 15 years of managing WordPress sites, the "too many redirects" error has consistently been one of the most common issues. By following some strategic troubleshooting steps, you can easily resolve this problem.

What Causes Too Many Redirects in WordPress?

Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand why you‘re seeing redirect errors.

How Redirects Work in WordPress

WordPress relies heavily on redirects and rewrite rules for settings like permalinks, HTTPS migrations, attached domains, and more. Plugins also add redirects for things like SEO and security.

With so many pieces adding redirects, it‘s easy to end up with too many redirection rules leading to a loop.

Common Redirect Conflict Sources

In my experience, these are some of the top contributors to too many redirects errors:

• Broken SEO plugins – Plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath can incorrectly set up infinite SEO meta redirects.

• Caching tools – Overly aggressive caching from tools like WP Rocket can create redirect loops.

• Security plugins – .htaccess rules from plugins like WordFence or iThemes Security can conflict with other redirects.

• Site migrations – Errors transferring WordPress from one domain to another may import bad redirects.

• Incorrect WP URL settings – Mismatched Site URL and WordPress URL values will lead to conflicts.

How to Test for Redirect Issues

Before troubleshooting, validate you have a redirect loop using online tools:

• redirect-checker.org – Enter your URL to see detailed redirect tracing and loop points.

• WebPageTest – Run a test and check the Waterfall tab for back-and-forth redirects.

These tests confirm you have an endless redirect issue.

"Too Many Redirects" Error Messages

The generic error message will vary slightly across browsers:

Browser	Error Message
Chrome	ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS
Firefox	Page isn‘t redirecting properly
Safari	Too many redirects

Now let‘s cover how to fix this.

Troubleshooting Guide: How to Fix Too Many Redirects

Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve endless redirect errors:

1. Clear Browser Cookies and Cache

Start by clearing your browser cookies and cache. You can quickly do this in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari which often fixes redirect issues.

2. Deactivate All Plugins

Conflicting plugins are the #1 cause of infinite redirects. To disable all plugins:

1. Use FTP to access your /wp-content/plugins/ folder
2. Rename the "plugins" folder to "plugins.deactivated"

This instantly deactivates all plugins without accessing your WP dashboard.

3. Check WordPress URL Settings

Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Settings > General.

Ensure your WordPress URL and Site URL match perfectly. If one has www and the other doesn‘t, it will cause redirect issues.

4. Reset the .htaccess File

Too many rewrite rules in your .htaccess file can also cause redirect problems. To reset:

1. Use FTP to delete the current .htaccess file from your root folder
2. Refresh your permalinks under Settings > Permalinks so WordPress recreates a clean .htaccess file.

5. Reactivate Plugins One at a Time

Once you‘ve ruled out other causes, reactivate your plugins one by one. Visit your site after each activation to see if the redirect loop returns. This will identify any problematic plugins.

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Preventing "Too Many Redirects" Errors in WordPress

Here are some proactive ways to avoid endless redirect errors:

• Always thoroughly test plugins in a staging environment first before installing on a live site.

• Monitor your live site for errors and bugs using uptime monitoring tools.

• Limit use of complex redirect plugins that modify .htaccess since they are prone to conflicts.

• Keep your WordPress core, plugins and themes updated to the latest versions.

• Maintain regular backups of your WordPress database and files in case you need to roll back changes.

• Ask your web host for assistance checking for server configuration issues or inconsistencies.

Following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to quickly fix the frustrating "too many redirects" error in WordPress. Let me know if you have any other questions!