Redirect loop

Also searched as: infinite redirect

Updated 11 October 2026

Short answer

"Too many redirects" means the browser was sent from one address to another and back again until it gave up. Two settings disagree. The classic case: your server redirects HTTP to HTTPS, while Cloudflare (in Flexible SSL mode) talks to your server over HTTP, so every request gets redirected again. Other common pairs: one rule adds www while another removes it, or a site's configured address doesn't match the one it's served on.

What's the problem

The browser shows ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS or "The page isn't redirecting properly", for the whole site or certain pages such as the admin area or login.

Why it happens

  • HTTPS redirect plus Cloudflare Flexible SSL.
  • Conflicting www rules in two places (server, Cloudflare, the CMS settings).
  • The site's configured address (for example WordPress's site URL) differs from the address in use.
  • Login redirects: a page that requires login redirects to login, which redirects back because the session isn't kept.
  • Redirect rules that match their own target.

How to fix it

  1. Trace the chain: use an online redirect checker, or Developer Tools → Network with "Preserve log" on, to see each hop.
  2. If you use Cloudflare, set SSL to Full or Full (strict) when your server has a certificate, or remove the server's HTTPS redirect, as Cloudflare's docs advise.
  3. Keep each redirect in one place: HTTPS and www handled by either the server or Cloudflare, not both.
  4. Match the CMS's site address to the real address.
  5. Clear cookies for the site after fixing, as browsers can cache redirects.

What Preventionlabs checks

One click runs the full report on your domain. For this problem it shows every version of your address (http, https, www) and where each ends up, including redirect loops; whether your site loads, how fast, and where its redirects go. With Cloudflare connected, it also shows your SSL mode and the other settings that commonly cause this; recent deploys and account changes, with their times. It doesn't fill in forms, log in or make payments, so test the feature yourself as well.

Run your free report

Your first report is free, no card needed. Then A$50 a month, up to 10 domains. Read-only: it never changes anything.

Sources

  1. Cloudflare: ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTSofficial docsThis error occurs when visitors get stuck in a redirect loop.
  2. Cloudflare: ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTSofficial docsIf your domain's encryption mode is set to Flexible , Cloudflare sends unencrypted requests to your origin server over HTTP.
  3. Cloudflare: ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTSofficial docsTo solve this issue, remove HTTPS redirects from your origin server and make sure your domain's encryption mode is Flexible or higher.

Related

HTTPS not working Usually no valid certificate, port 443 closed, or two redirect settings fighting. Check the certificate, then redirects and Cloudflare SSL mode. Login not working If the password is right but you're sent back to the login page, the session cookie isn't sticking: HTTPS, domain or caching. Otherwise, read the error. Cloudflare error: what it means and how to fix it A Cloudflare error page almost always means Cloudflare is fine but couldn't get a proper answer from your own server. The number says which part failed. 404 Not Found The page doesn't exist at that address. Usually a deleted or moved page, a typo in a link, or a site migration that broke URLs. Fix the link or add a redirect.
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