How to Fix ‘Too Many Redirects’ Issue in WordPress

Introduction

When browsing your WordPress site, nothing is more frustrating than seeing the dreaded “Too Many Redirects” error. Instead of your page loading normally, your browser gets stuck in a loop, endlessly bouncing between URLs. This doesn’t just confuse search engines—it can also scare away visitors who might think your site is broken.

The good news? While the error looks intimidating, it’s usually caused by a small misconfiguration that you can fix yourself. Common culprits include incorrect URL settings, conflicting plugins, or issues with your .htaccess file. If you’ve ever felt stuck staring at that endless loop, you’re not alone.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to fix the ‘Too Many Redirects’ issue in WordPress step by step. Using clear explanations and practical solutions, you’ll be able to troubleshoot the problem, restore your website, and prevent it from happening again. Let’s dive in.

What Causes the ‘Too Many Redirects’ Error in WordPress?

The error usually happens when your site is caught in a redirect loop. In simple terms, WordPress (or your server) keeps telling your browser to go to a new location, but that new location points back to the first one—creating an endless cycle.

Some common causes include:

• Wrong WordPress Address (URL) or Site Address (URL) settings.
• Conflicting plugins, especially caching or redirection tools.
• Corrupted .htaccess file.
• Misconfigured HTTPS/SSL settings.
• Incorrect settings from your hosting or CDN provider.

Understanding the cause is the first step in fixing it.

Check Your WordPress and Site URL Settings

One of the most common reasons for this error is mismatched site URLs.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Settings > General.
3. Make sure both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are correct and match.
   • Example: Both should use https:// if your site has SSL enabled.
   • Avoid mixing www and non-www versions unless intentional.

If you’re locked out of WordPress due to the error, you can also update these values directly in the wp-config.php file by adding:

define('WP_HOME','https://yourdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL','https://yourdomain.com');

Disable Plugins to Find Conflicts

Plugins are another major culprit. A misconfigured redirection or caching plugin can cause endless loops.

Here’s how to test:

1. Access your site via FTP or File Manager in cPanel.
2. Navigate to the /wp-content/ folder.
3. Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_backup.

This disables all plugins at once. If your site loads normally afterward, you know a plugin caused the issue. Restore the folder name, then disable plugins one by one to identify the guilty one.

Reset Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file controls how your server handles redirects. A corrupted or overly complex file can easily trigger redirect loops.

1. Connect to your site via FTP.
2. Locate the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory.
3. Rename it to .htaccess_old.
4. Try reloading your site.

If the error is gone, go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and click Save Changes to generate a fresh .htaccess file.

Here’s the default WordPress .htaccess code:

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

Double-Check Your SSL and HTTPS Settings

If you recently installed an SSL certificate or forced HTTPS, conflicting settings may cause redirect loops.

• If you use a plugin like Really Simple SSL, try deactivating it to see if the issue clears up.
• Check your hosting control panel for forced HTTPS settings and make sure they don’t conflict with your WordPress configuration.
• Avoid setting multiple layers of HTTPS enforcement (e.g., in Cloudflare and your host at the same time).

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Sometimes, the problem isn’t your site at all—it’s your browser cache remembering old redirects.

Quick fix:

• Clear your browser cookies and cache.
• Try loading the site in Incognito Mode or another browser.

This step helps rule out local issues before diving deeper.

Contact Your Hosting or CDN Provider

If you’ve tried all the above and still see the error, the problem may lie with your hosting or CDN. For example, Cloudflare’s page rules or SSL settings can sometimes conflict with WordPress redirects.

Reach out to your hosting support or CDN provider, explain the situation, and ask them to check server-level configurations.

How to Prevent Redirect Loops in the Future

• Keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated.
• Limit the use of multiple redirection or caching plugins.
• Stick to consistent URL formats (with or without www, not both).
• After installing SSL, configure redirects carefully to avoid duplication.

A little housekeeping goes a long way in preventing headaches.

Wrapping Up

The ‘Too Many Redirects’ issue in WordPress may feel overwhelming at first, but most of the time it’s caused by a simple misconfiguration. By checking your site URLs, disabling problematic plugins, resetting your .htaccess file, and reviewing SSL settings, you can usually resolve it quickly.

Think of it as digital housekeeping—once you tidy up the settings, everything runs smoother. And if the issue persists, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your hosting provider for an extra layer of support.

With these steps, your site should be back online without the endless loop frustrating you—or your visitors.