How to fix the “Connection timed out” error in WordPress

The “Connection Timed Out” error in WordPress usually means the server is taking too long to respond to a request, causing it to time out. Here are some simple reasons why this happens:

  • Server may be too busy or lacking the resources (like memory or CPU) to handle all the tasks.
  • Sometimes a plugin or theme can cause WordPress to slow down or even crash.
  • website may be hitting a limit on how much memory or time it can use, which causes it to stop working.
  • A messed-up file can prevent your site from loading
  • WordPress might be asking the server to do too much at once, especially if there’s no cache.
  • Sometimes, the server settings might be too strict, leading to timeouts.
  • The issue is with the network connection or the DNS (address) lookup.
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT
How to Fix It:

Here are some easy ways to fix connection timed out error:

1. Server Overload

Reach out to your hosting provider to check for server issues. If you have a lot of visitors, you may need a better hosting plan.

2. Plugin or Theme Issues

Disable all plugins and see if that fixes the issue. If it does, turn them on one by one to find the problem plugin.

3. Low PHP Limits

Increase the memory limit by adding a small line of code in your wp-config.php file : 

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

4. Broken .htaccess File

Rename the .htaccess file to something else (e.g., .htaccess_old) and reload the site. Then, go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and save changes to create a new .htaccess file.

5. Too Many Database Requests

Use a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache to reduce the load on the server.

6. Server Configuration Issues

Ask your hosting provider to make sure the server is set up properly for WordPress.

7. Network or DNS Issues

You can flush your DNS cache or try accessing the site from a different device or network.

8. High Traffic or Attacks

Consider using a service like Cloudflare to protect your site from these issues.

9. Corrupted WordPress Files

Go to your WordPress dashboard and reinstall WordPress from the Updates section.