Fix WordPress Too Many Redirects Error – Complete Guide (2026)
The “Too Many Redirects” error (ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS) in WordPress is one of the most frustrating issues. It locks users out of your site and creates an infinite redirect loop.
This guide will walk you through step-by-step solutions to fix redirect loops in WordPress, whether the issue is caused by SSL, plugins, or server configuration.
What is the “Too Many Redirects” Error?
This error happens when:
- A page redirects to another page
- That page redirects back again
Result:
Infinite loop → browser blocks access
Common Causes
- Incorrect WordPress URL settings
- SSL misconfiguration
- Plugin conflicts
- .htaccess errors
- CDN issues
- Reverse proxy settings
Step 1: Clear Browser Cookies
Sometimes the issue is local.
Fix:
- Clear cookies for your site
- Try incognito mode
Step 2: Check WordPress URL Settings
Go to:
Settings → General
Ensure:
https://yourwebsite.com
is used for both fields.
Step 3: Disable Plugins (Most Common Fix)
If you cannot access dashboard:
Via File Manager or SSH:
Rename:
/wp-content/plugins/
to:
/plugins-disabled/
This disables all plugins.
Then:
- Check if site loads
- Rename back
- Enable plugins one by one
Step 4: Check .htaccess File
Incorrect redirects here cause loops.
Default WordPress .htaccess:
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress
Replace your file with this and test.
Step 5: Fix SSL Redirect Issues
Common mistake:
- HTTP → HTTPS redirect
- HTTPS → HTTP redirect
Fix:
Keep only one redirect rule.
Step 6: Check Reverse Proxy / Cloudflare
If using proxy:
- Enable “Flexible SSL” correctly
- Or switch to “Full SSL”
Wrong settings cause redirect loops.
Step 7: Check wp-config.php
Add:
define('WP_HOME', 'https://yourwebsite.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'https://yourwebsite.com');
Step 8: Disable CDN Temporarily
Sometimes CDN causes loops.
- Pause CDN
- Test site
- Reconfigure if needed
Step 9: Check HTTPS Settings in Hosting
Some hosting panels force redirects.
- Disable duplicate redirects
- Keep only one rule
Step 10: Fix Login Redirect Loop
If wp-admin redirects repeatedly:
Fix:
Delete cookies
Or add in wp-config.php:
define('COOKIE_DOMAIN', false);
Step 11: Check Theme Issues
Switch to default theme:
- Rename current theme folder
- WordPress loads default theme
Step 12: Database Fix (Advanced)
Check:
- siteurl
- home
In wp_options table
Ensure correct HTTPS URLs.
Step 13: Debug Using Logs
Check:
- Server error logs
- Redirect chains
Tools:
- Redirect checker tools
SEO Impact
Redirect loops:
- Block indexing
- Kill rankings
- Increase bounce rate
Fixing them restores:
- Crawlability
- Performance
- Trust
Prevention Tips
- Avoid multiple redirect rules
- Use one SSL method only
- Test changes in staging
- Keep plugins updated
Quick Fix Summary
✔ Clear cookies
✔ Fix URLs
✔ Disable plugins
✔ Reset .htaccess
✔ Check SSL settings
✔ Verify CDN
Conclusion
The “Too Many Redirects” error can seem complex, but in most cases, it’s caused by simple misconfigurations. By following this guide step-by-step, you can quickly identify and fix the issue.
Once resolved, your website will:
- Load normally
- Be accessible to users
- Perform better in search engines
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