What Does Bad Gateway Error Code 502 Mean: How to Fix It?

Undoubtedly, all of us have experienced the dreaded and most annoying ‘502 Bad Gateway Error Code'. The most common problem among Internet users trying to access a website but failing to reach the destination. Because today's generation is more interested in knowing the reasons behind every technical issue, the question “What does Bad Gateway Error Code 502 mean?”

According to reports, 83% of Internet users prefer reading blog posts, which make up around 4.44 billion people all over the world.  With so many people searching for different issues every day, we like sharing guides to help our readers find solutions to common problems. Because 502 Bad Gateway is the most popular Error Code, we have shared a detailed guide to help you understand everything from the reasons behind it to the solutions that can resolve it. Let's dive deeper!

What Is a 502 Bad Gateway Error?

The simplest definition of the 502 Bad Gateway error can be defined as a situation where one server on the Internet receives an invalid response from another server. Suppose you are trying to purchase a product online, but instead of getting details about the brand and the quality, you receive a confusing message in a foreign language or a mysterious format.

Experts believe that this error mostly occurs whenever there is a breakdown in communication between 2 servers. Due to this, the page a user is trying to visit fails to load and causes the particular error.  So, what basically causes this Error Code to occur and produce an invalid response? Below we have mentioned the primary issues due to which you can come across this annoying and dreaded Error Code.

Why Does the 502 Bad Gateway Error Happen?

The Error Code 502 Bad Gateway can occur due to multiple reasons. Have a look at the most common ones to understand the situation in detail.

1.    Server Overload

If the server is going through extreme traffic or user requests, it may struggle to handle the situation due to unnecessary load. As a result, it fails to process all the requests and the Bad Gateway Error Code occurs.

2.    Server Downtime or Maintenance

Sometimes, a server can go down temporarily due to an unexpected problem or regular maintenance. During this time, servers are unable to respond and handle user requests from other servers, leading to a Bad Gateway error.  

However, because some sites use backup servers to keep away from downtime situations, smaller or low-level websites may experience this Error Code because their primary server goes offline.

3.    Faulty Server Configuration

If the server undergoes a faulty configuration, it can fail to communicate properly. Whether the primary or secondary server is configured incorrectly, the handling of user requests can become difficult.  Suppose, the server has a default setting that does not allow proper routing of user requests.

It will directly lead to communication breakdowns and cause the 502 Bad Gateway error.

4.    Reverse Proxy Server Issues

Most often, websites use reverse proxy servers that operate as a medium between users and the back-end server. It is mostly utilized to balance the data and security of the platform. Unfortunately, if the reverse proxy server faces trouble forwarding the user request to the back-end server, it can lead to the 502 Error Code.

Remember that, whenever a proxy server faces issues in routing a user request appropriately, the connection may instantly fail. That is why the Bad Gateway error appears on your screen.

5.    Network Connectivity Issues

Some regular network problems like packet loss or slow connections can also result in causing the 502 Error Code. Because servers rely on and stable Internet connection for communicating with each other, any kind of network interruption or packet loss can prevent the servers from exchanging information seamlessly.

Moreover, poor routing, temporary disruptions, or any kind of network congestion on the Internet can create a Bad Gateway error.

6.    Firewall And Security Software Interference

Most of us are well aware that firewalls or any other security software that are designed to protect servers often result in blocking legal requests. It happens because security configurations are extremely strict and block connections that are actually safe. Whenever the firewall officer blocks a request from a secondary server, the communication error booms in, and a 502 error occurs for users.

This is a common issue for security platforms we are certain security plugins or network firewall settings misidentify traffic as malicious.  In response, it blocks normal data exchange between users and causes communication failure.

Is Error Code 502 Common?

Absolutely! According to detailed research all over the Internet, the 502 Bad Gateway Error Code is one of the most common HTTP errors occurring online. Moreover, statistics from Cloudflare prove that more than 10% of errors encountered online are 502 Bad Gateway issues. So, if you have experienced this error before, do not worry. You are not alone!

How To Fix a 502 Bad Gateway Error (Step-by-Step Guide)

At this point, you are available here for the causes behind the 502 Error Code. Now, let us move forward to its solutions and look at some simple steps that can resolve it.

1.    Refresh The Page

It is better to always start with the simplest solution when resolving a technical error. The 502 Error Code can sometimes be nothing more than a temporary glitch. You can try to hit the refresh button and reload the page. If this does not resolve the error for you, move forward to the next steps.

2.    Clear Your Browser Cache

Every web browser sees a copy of the user's previously visited websites,  as a part of the browser cache. Sometimes, it can cause technical issues if the saved copies become outdated.  For this reason, it is better to clear your browser cache to resolve this error.

You can follow the below steps and clear your cache from Chrome.

i.    Open your Google Chrome browser.
ii.    Go to the Settings option.
iii.    From the drop-down menu, click on the option Privacy and Security.
iv.    Now, click on the option Clear Browsing Data.
v.    In the new window, select the checkboxes, Cached Images and Files.
vi.    Now click on Clear Data.

The overall process is simple but effective. In case, the Bad Gateway error has occurred due to your browser cache, it will resolve now.

3.    Try Another Browser

Sometimes, the browser itself can be the reason behind the 502 Bad Gateway Error Code. You can try to switch your browser and see if the error persists. For instance, try switching from Google Chrome to Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox.  If doing so does not help, you can try to update or reinstall your browser. 

4.    Restart Your Network Equipment

Another reason behind the Error Code can be a problem that lies within your Internet connection. To resolve it, you can try to turn off your modem and router for approx. 10 to 20 seconds and restart it.  This process is considered a quick reset, which can often resolve technical issues.

5.    Check If the Site Is Down for Everyone

In case none of the above solutions work, it is quite possible that the problem is being occurred at the website's end. Check whether the website you’re trying to access is globally down by using different tools. In case the site is down for everyone, wait for it to get back online.

6.    Disable Your Firewall Temporarily

As mentioned earlier, extremely strict firewall settings can block legitimate requests from users and lead to the 502 Error Code. You can try to disable your firewall and see if the issue persists or not.  However, make sure to turn your firewall back on soon after your task is completed.

7.    Contact Your ISP

In case each of the above-discussed solutions does not work, you may be having an issue isolated to your network. You can try to contact your Internet service provider and ask them to offer insight or fix the network-level problems that may be the reason behind the 502 Error Code.

Fixing 502 Bad Gateway Errors on Your Own Website

For website owners experiencing the Bad Gateway 502 Error Code on their platforms, below are a few additional steps.

•     Restart Your Server: Try to restart your server or the services provided on it as it can help to solve the issue.
•     Check for Software Updates: If the software of your server is outdated, there can be compatibility issues. So, try to keep your server up to date by checking for its software.
•     Examine Error Logs: Examine all your server logs to check where the breakdown is occurring on the website.
•     Contact Hosting Support: In case you are working with a hosting provider, try connecting with their support team for help.  These professionals can help to identify the issue and resolve it.

Preventing Future 502 Errors

We also recommend website owners take proactive steps to keep away from such errors in the future. Here are a few steps that you can take to prevent the 502 Bad Gateway error.

•     Load Balancers:  Try to collaborate with load balancers and distribute traffic across multiple servers as it will help to reduce overload problems.
•     Regular Monitoring: Always try to keep monitoring your website constantly by using tools like Pingdom or Google Analytics as it helps to catch downtime early.
•     Caching Plugins: By using caching plugins, website owners can reduce the chances of server load and keep away from the 502 Error Code in case of extreme traffic.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that the 502 Bad Gateway error can be frustrating. However, it is not a serious issue and can be easily fixed by trying these steps for troubleshooting. No matter if you are trying to access a website or looking to resolve the issue for your personal platform,  having basic knowledge about troubleshooting can save you precious time.

After going through this article, we believe that you are well aware of what to do whenever you see the Bad Gateway message next time!