Understanding And Fixing The Err_too_many_redirects Google Chrome Error
It's a rather common thing, you know, when you're trying to get to a website and suddenly your Google Chrome browser throws up a message saying "This page isn't working" or, more specifically, "err_too_many_redirects." It can feel a bit like the website is playing a game of hot potato with your browser, sending it from one place to another, then back again, almost endlessly. This can be pretty frustrating, especially when you just want to see what's on the page.
Basically, what happens is that your browser, Google Chrome in this case, gets caught in what we call a "redirect loop." Imagine trying to follow directions to a friend's house, but the directions keep telling you to go to street A, which then sends you to street B, and then street B tells you to go right back to street A. Your car, or in this situation, your browser, just keeps going in circles, never quite getting to the actual destination. After a certain point, typically when it's redirected more than 20 times, Chrome just gives up and shows you that error message, you see.
There are, actually, a good number of things that can cause this specific "err_too_many_redirects google chrome" message to pop up. It's not always one single culprit, which, in a way, makes it a bit tricky to figure out at first. But, pretty much, whether it's something on the website's side or perhaps something with your own browser's settings, there are steps you can take to try and sort it out. This article will walk you through, in a simple way, everything you might want to know about this particular browser hiccup.
Table of Contents
- What is This Redirect Error, Anyway?
- Why Does the err_too_many_redirects Happen?
- How to Fix the err_too_many_redirects Google Chrome Error
- Bringing It All Together
What is This Redirect Error, Anyway?
When you see the message "err_too_many_redirects google chrome" or "this page isn't working || err_too_many_redirects" on your screen, it's Chrome's way of telling you that it's gotten stuck in a loop. It's almost like the web page you're trying to visit is redirecting itself over and over again, in a continuous circle, you know? This prevents the page from actually loading, leaving you with that error message instead of the content you wanted to see.
Basically, a redirect is a normal thing on the internet. Websites use them for various reasons, like sending you from an old page address to a new one, or perhaps directing you from a non-secure version of a site to a secure one. These are generally helpful, actually. But, when a redirect accidentally points back to itself, or creates a chain that never ends, that's when you run into this particular problem, so it goes.
The core of the issue is that the browser has a limit. It will try to follow these redirects for a while, maybe twenty times, but then it just stops, realizing it's not getting anywhere. That's when it displays the "too many redirects" error. It's a common error, and, in a way, it's quite a clear sign that something is amiss, either with the site itself or with how your browser is trying to access it.
Why Does the err_too_many_redirects Happen?
There are various reasons why this specific Chrome error occurs, and, in fact, understanding the possible causes is a good first step toward fixing it. It's not always just one thing, as I was saying, but rather a combination of factors that can lead to this frustrating experience. We can usually break these down into two main categories: issues with the website itself, and issues related to your own browser or computer settings.
Website Configuration Mishaps
Often, the problem lies with how the website is set up. This is something webmasters, or the people who manage websites, typically deal with. If you're a developer, for instance, you might see this issue quite a bit. It's usually a sign that something in the website's internal instructions for redirecting pages has gone a little wonky.
One very common time webmasters run into the 'err_too_many_redirects' error message is while they are installing or configuring SSL certificates. An SSL certificate is what makes a website secure, showing that little padlock in your browser. If this isn't set up just right, it can sometimes create a situation where the site tries to redirect from a non-secure version to a secure one, but then back again, you know, causing a loop. Also, if you're a developer, sometimes removing a 301 or 302 redirection code from the .htaccess file can help, as that file basically tells the server how to handle redirects, in a way.
It's also possible that the website's general configuration is simply off. Maybe a recent update to the site's software or a change in its settings inadvertently created these redirect loops. So, if the website itself isn't quite right, that's definitely a big reason why you might see this particular message.
Browser-Related Issues
Sometimes, the website itself is perfectly fine, and the problem actually lies closer to home – with your own Google Chrome browser. Your browser stores a lot of temporary information to help websites load faster, like images and login details. This stored information, or "cache" and "cookies," can sometimes become, well, corrupt or outdated, leading to problems like redirect loops.
If these cache files get jumbled up, or if the cookies from a specific site are causing a conflict, your browser might keep trying to follow old, incorrect redirect instructions. This means that even if the website has fixed its own issues, your browser is still using old information that tells it to go in circles. So, clearing these out is often a good first step for users.
Another thing to consider is your browser's version. If you are using an outdated version of Chrome, you may be more likely to encounter this error, and, actually, other browsing problems too. Older versions might not handle certain website configurations as well as newer ones, or they might have bugs that have since been fixed. So, keeping your browser up-to-date is a pretty good habit to have, generally speaking.
How to Fix the err_too_many_redirects Google Chrome Error
Resolving the "err_too_many_redirects google chrome" error can vary in complexity, depending on what's causing it. But, honestly, there are a number of straightforward solutions that can help, whether you're just a regular person trying to browse the web or someone who manages a website. Below are several troubleshooting steps that individuals or webmasters can take to get things back to normal.
For the Everyday Browser User
If you're just trying to visit a website and you're seeing this error, the good news is that there are a few simple things you can try on your end. These steps often clear up browser-related issues that might be causing the problem, so, you know, it's worth giving them a shot first.
Clear Your Browsing Data: Cache and Cookies
This is, pretty much, the most common fix people try, and for good reason. Your browser stores a lot of temporary files (cache) and site-specific data (cookies) to make your browsing experience faster. But, sometimes, these files can get old or corrupt, causing issues like redirect loops. To clear them out, you can go to Chrome's settings. Just open Chrome, click on the three dots in the top right corner, then go to "More tools," and then "Clear browsing data." In the dialog box that pops up, make sure to select "All time" for the time range, and then check the boxes for "Cached images and files" and "Cookies and other site data." After that, just click "Clear data." This, actually, often does the trick.
Update Google Chrome
As I was saying, an outdated browser can sometimes be the culprit. Keeping your Chrome browser up-to-date ensures you have the latest features, security patches, and, importantly, bug fixes. To update your browser, you can type chrome://settings/help into your address bar and hit Enter. Chrome will then check for updates automatically. If there's an update available, it will usually download and install it, and then ask you to relaunch the browser. This is, you know, a simple step that can prevent a lot of headaches.
Try an Incognito Window
An incognito window basically opens Chrome without using your existing cookies or extensions. This can be a quick way to check if the problem is related to your stored data or an extension. If the website loads fine in an incognito window, then you know the issue is likely with your regular browser settings, cookies, or an extension. To open one, just click the three dots in Chrome and select "New incognito window." Then, try visiting the problematic site there.
Check Your Extensions
Browser extensions, while helpful, can sometimes interfere with how websites load, or, in some cases, even cause redirect issues. If the site works in an incognito window but not in your regular browser, try disabling your extensions one by one to see if one of them is the cause. You can manage your extensions by typing chrome://extensions into your address bar. Just toggle them off, or, you know, remove any that you don't really need or recognize. Then, test the website again after disabling each one, so you can pinpoint the troublemaker.
For Website Owners and Developers
If you're the one who manages the website that's showing the "err_too_many_redirects google chrome" message, your troubleshooting steps will be a bit different. You'll need to look at the website's configuration directly. This is where things can get a little more technical, but, actually, there are clear paths to follow.
Review Website Redirect Settings
As a webmaster, you'll want to check any redirects you've set up. This might involve looking at your website's .htaccess file if you're on an Apache server, or checking server block configurations if you're using Nginx. You're looking for any redirect rules (like 301 or 302 redirects) that might be sending users in a loop. For instance, you might have a rule that redirects URL A to URL B, but then another rule that redirects URL B back to URL A. That, basically, creates an endless loop. So, you'll need to carefully review and correct these rules.
SSL Certificate Installation
Many webmasters, actually, deal with the 'err_too_many_redirects' error message while installing SSL certificates. If your SSL certificate isn't correctly configured, or if you have conflicting rules trying to force HTTPS (the secure version of your site) but the certificate isn't quite right, it can cause redirect loops. You'll want to ensure your SSL certificate is properly installed and that your server is correctly configured to handle HTTPS requests without sending them back to the HTTP (non-secure) version. Sometimes, even when the certificate seems fine, other settings can cause this, so, you know, a thorough check is always good.
Learn more about website configuration on our site, and link to this page Google Chrome Help for general browser support.
Bringing It All Together
The "err_too_many_redirects google chrome" error can, actually, be quite a nuisance, making it impossible to reach the websites you want to see. But, as we've talked about, it's a common issue with clear causes, and, in a way, just as clear solutions. Whether the problem is with your browser's old files or an outdated version, or if it's something a webmaster needs to adjust on the website itself, there are definite steps you can take to sort it out. By following these recommendations, you can usually get your site back up and running, or at least get back to browsing the web without those annoying redirect loops.
Frequently Asked Questions About Redirect Errors
Here are some common questions people have about the "err_too_many_redirects google chrome" message:
What exactly is the err_too_many_redirects error, and what does it look like?
This error happens when a web page redirects your browser too many times, typically more than 20 times, in a continuous loop. Google Chrome then stops the process and shows an error message like "This page isn't working" or "err_too_many_redirects." It basically looks like a broken page with that specific message displayed.
How can I fix the err_too_many_redirects error in Google Chrome if I'm just a regular user?
For everyday users, some good first steps include clearing your browser's cache and cookies, making sure your Google Chrome browser is updated to the latest version, trying to access the site in an incognito window, and checking if any of your browser extensions might be causing a problem. These steps often resolve browser-related issues that lead to the error.
What are the main reasons why the err_too_many_redirects error occurs, especially for website owners?
There are various reasons why this error occurs, but for website owners, it's often due to a misconfigured website. This could involve incorrect redirect rules in server files (like .htaccess), or issues that come up during the installation of SSL certificates, which can accidentally create redirect loops. Sometimes, even when an SSL certificate seems fine, other settings can cause this problem, so, you know, a careful check is pretty much always needed.
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