Error code 522: What it is, why it happens, and how to fix it  

Key takeaways  

• Error code 522 happens when Cloudflare can’t reach your web server due to overload, firewall blocks, or incorrect DNS settings.  
• Fixing this server error involves checking your firewall rules, DNS records, and web server capacity while using caching plugins, lazy load features, and KeepAlive for better performance.  
• If your hosting plan isn’t keeping up, upgrade to a more reliable option with Domain.com. This helps your server stay responsive and handle traffic without downtime.  

If you’ve ever encountered error code 522, you know how frustrating it can be. It’s a frustrating issue that can cause your website to stop loading, which affects both you as the site owner and your visitors.  

The good news is this issue isn’t always caused by something on your end. It’s usually related to how your server is communicating with your web service. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. There are steps you can take to fix the problem and get your website back on track. 

 If you want to understand what error code 522 is, why it occurs, and how to fix it, keep reading. We’ll break it down step by step so you can resolve the issue and prevent it from happening again. 

What is error code 522 and how does it impact your site?  

Error code 522 happens when Cloudflare, a CDN (Content Delivery Network) service that improves website speed and security, tries to connect to your site but doesn’t get a response in time. This usually happens because your origin web server takes too long to reply or doesn’t respond at all.  

In such cases, your website becomes unreachable. Visitors see the connection timed out error code 522 message instead of your site, which can frustrate them and hurt your reputation. If your site is down for too long, it could even cost you customers or sales.  

A possible reason for this issue is that too many requests sent to the server cause the connection setup to fail. Also, many web hosts automatically assign certain configurations that might not be properly optimized for high traffic. If the original web server running status is unstable, it can further delay Cloudflare’s ability to connect.  

But don’t worry—this Cloudflare error isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Let’s look at what causes it and how you can fix it.  

Why does error code 522 happen?  

Error code 522 occurs for several reasons. Here are some of the most common ones:   

Server overload  

As mentioned earlier, your origin server might be handling too many requests at once. When this happens, it struggles to respond in time, leading to a timeout. This is common on shared hosting plans when one site gets a sudden traffic surge.  

Firewall blocks  

Firewalls protect servers from threats, but they can sometimes block legitimate requests from Cloudflare. If Cloudflare IP addresses are flagged through IP filtering, the contacted web server won’t respond, and you’ll see this error.  

DNS issues  

If your Domain Name System (DNS) settings are incorrect or outdated, Cloudflare can’t connect to your web server. Fixing this usually requires checking and updating your DNS records.  

Routing problems  

Routing problems occur when data doesn’t travel smoothly between Cloudflare and your origin server. These are harder to control, but they’re still a possible cause of error 522.  

Insufficient server resources  

If your hosting plan doesn’t have enough resources, the server may fail under heavy traffic. Upgrading your hosting plan can solve this problem.  

Server downtime  

Sometimes, the origin web server itself is offline or unresponsive. This could be due to maintenance, misconfigurations, or other technical problems.  

It’s important to understand these causes so you can take better steps to fix error code 522 and prevent it from recurring.  

How to fix error code 522 (Step-by-step)  

You can resolve error code 522 with specific actions, depending on whether you’re a website owner or a website visitor. Below are detailed steps for both.  

For website owners  

Step 1. Verify your server’s status  

Check if the original host network is working properly. You can use tools like IsItdownRightNow.com to see if your website is accessible. If the tool shows that your server is offline, you should contact your hosting provider immediately to resolve the issue.  

Here’s how to check if your website is accessible using IsItDownRightNow.com: 

1. Go to IsItDownRightNow.com. 
2. Input your domain name in the text field and click “Check.” 

3. Review the status result. If your server is reachable, you’ll see UP in green. If it’s down, the site will indicate that it is unavailable. 

Step 2. Ensure your hosting plan meets your needs  

If your website experiences frequent traffic surges, you need to confirm that your hosting plan provides enough resources to handle the demand. Look for metrics like bandwidth, CPU usage, and RAM allocation in your hosting dashboard.  

If these limits are frequently maxed out, consider upgrading to a higher-tier hosting plan to avoid server overload and insufficient resources issues, even during peak traffic times.  

Step 3. Optimize server performance  

Even with a good hosting plan, server performance can still be affected by inefficient resource management. Monitor CPU and memory usage to spot bottlenecks. Optimize database queries and consider using caching plugins or tools like Apache or NGINX to boost overall server performance. Shrinking file sizes for images and scripts can also improve load times, while load balancers help manage traffic spikes.  

Step 4. Check DNS settings  

Check that your Cloudflare DNS app records match your hosting server’s IP. If any A or CNAME records are incorrect, update them directly in the Cloudflare dashboard to confirm proper connectivity.   

Here’s how you can easily check your DNS settings through Cloudflare: 

1. Log in to Cloudflare and go to your dashboard. 
2. Click on your domain to access its settings. 
3. Go to the DNS tab in the left-hand menu. 

4. Check your DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT) to see where your domain points. 
5. Edit, add, or delete records if you need to update your DNS settings. 

6. Give the system time to process the changes, as updates may take up to 24 hours. 

Step 5. Whitelist Cloudflare IPs  

A whitelist includes approved IP addresses that can bypass security restrictions. To allow traffic from Cloudflare, check your firewall settings to confirm Cloudflare isn’t being blocked. If necessary, add Cloudflare IP addresses to the whitelist to maintain proper connectivity and prevent access issues. 

Cloudflare regularly updates its official IP ranges, so it’s important to review and update your whitelist as needed. Keeping your firewall settings up to date helps avoid interruptions and keeps your website connected to Cloudflare’s network. 

Step 6. Activate KeepAlive message  

KeepAlive helps maintain a persistent connection between your server and Cloudflare. If this feature is disabled, enable it in your server’s configuration file. Here’s how: 

1. Open your server’s configuration file (e.g., apache2.conf for Apache or nginx.conf for NGINX). 
2. Look for the KeepAlive directive and set it to On (KeepAlive On). 
3. Save the configuration and restart the server to apply the changes. 

This helps prevent connection disruptions and keeps traffic flowing smoothly. 

Step 7. Optimize website content  

To improve website performance, use lazy load plugins to display content, like images, only as users scroll through your site. This reduces the initial server load. And to further minimize server resource usage and enhance loading speeds, optimize your images and activate caching plugins.  

Step 8. Enable Cloudflare’s Under Attack mode  

Activate Cloudflare’s “Under Attack” mode to block malicious traffic during DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. This feature provides extra protection and helps keep your website accessible during high-risk situations.  

Here’s how to enable Under Attack mode in Cloudflare: 

1. Access your Cloudflare dashboard. 
2. Select your website from the list. 

3. Go to the Overview tab in the top menu. 

4. Look for the Quick Actions section on the right side and toggle the I’m Under Attack switch to activate the mode. 

This will prompt visitors with an additional security challenge before they can access your site. It helps filter out harmful requests. 

Extra tips to improve security: 

• Monitor real-time traffic in the Analytics tab to identify unusual spikes. 
• Adjust firewall rules under the Firewall tab to block repeated suspicious IPs. 
• Enable Rate Limiting to prevent excessive requests from the same source. 

When you combine “Under Attack mode” with these security measures, you can strengthen your website’s defense against cyber threats. 

Step 9. Contact support if necessary  

If these solutions don’t fix the issue, contact the Cloudflare support team or your hosting provider for further assistance. They can troubleshoot the issue and recommend the best course of action.  

For website visitors  

Step 1. Check if the website is down  

To check if a website is down, follow the first step outlined in the “For website owners” section. Use a tool like IsItdownRightNow to confirm if the site is accessible. If it shows the website is down for everyone, the issue is something the website owner needs to fix. 

Step 2. Refresh your browser  

Sometimes, this Cloudflare error is only temporary. Refresh the page or access the website using a different browser to see if the issue resolves itself.  

Step 3. Clear your browser cache  

Old cache files can sometimes cause connection problems. Clear stored cache in your browser and try loading the website again to address the cause.  

Step 4. Test your internet connection  

Ensure you have a stable internet connection. If your faulty internet connection is causing the issue, try resetting your router.  

Step 5. Contact the website owner  

If the error continues, reach out to the website owner or their support team to inform them about the issue. They may need to take further action to resolve it.  

Taking the right steps can help resolve error code 522 but preventing it from happening again is just as important. With a few adjustments, you can reduce the chances of running into this Cloudflare-origin connection failure going forward.  

How to prevent error code 522 in the future  

To prevent error code 522 from occurring in the future, consider implementing the following proactive measures:  

• Regularly monitor server performance to detect service overload or other issues before they escalate.  
• Optimize server resources to prevent overload and reduce the risk of the connection timed out error code 522.
• Configure firewalls appropriately to prevent accidental IP filtering issues. 
• Maintain accurate DNS settings to avoid routing problems that disrupt connectivity.  
• Enable KeepAlive to maintain stable server connections.  
• Optimize website content with caching plugins and lazy load features to improve efficiency.  

Implementing these measures helps reduce the likelihood of encountering error code 522 and creates a smoother experience for your website visitors.  

Stop error code 522 and keep your website running 

Error code 522 can disrupt your website, but you can prevent it with the right steps. Addressing common causes like server overload, firewall issues, and DNS misconfigurations helps reduce the risk of downtime.  

Take proactive steps to monitor server performance, optimize website content, and check firewall, DNS, and SSL settings. Simple fixes like enabling caching plugins or lazy load features also help improve reliability.  

Keep this guide handy or share it with your team. If your current hosting plan isn’t meeting your needs, consider upgrading to a more reliable solution with Domain.com’s web hosting services.   

Remember, a well-maintained website leads to better performance, fewer disruptions, and a hassle-free experience for your visitors!  

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)